Purchased through the Horsham Art Gallery Trust Fund, 1989

This linesman belt was used under the 1947 Electricity Regulations and before tighter Occupation and Health regulations (late 1990's early 2000's) were introduced that mechanical lifting platforms(wherever possible) replaced the belt up the pole method.The safety concern was that it required that tools needed by the linesman had to be placed in a large canvas bag and attached to the belt (extra weight) then the linesman had to climb the ladder. Ladders had to be at the correct angle and not able to "slip" from their initial footings. A full harness and a secondary fall belt is now mandatory for pole linesmen. The safety of fellow workers could be compromised if they were required to assist or recover the first linesman if needed. In 2006 an additional 269 registered lineworkers were employed. Please note that the terminology of linesman has become unisex. The linesman's belt enabled the linesman to place his feet against the pole adjust the belt (if needed) and lean back securely allowing both hands to be free to work with. This linesman belt is very significant to the Kiewa Valley due to the numerous poles and high voltage overhead power structures that needed maintenance for the extensive "mushroom" installation of electrical power polls(wood and metal). On high poles (steel) climbing pegs were welded on, however in the Alpine areas snow in winter caused an OH&S problem which were hard to overcome. The safety of a linesman when maintenance of electricity line on poles can be highlighted by the New Zealand linesman who survived an 11,000 volt shock when carrying out maintenance. For the record 11,000 volts is four times more powerful than execution by "the electric chair". The maintenance of the linesman's belt was his responsibility (keeping it clean and in "good" condition). Labour laws change this initial responsibility, from the linesman, to the employer. Climbing pegs were installed on higher poles that extended beyond the reach of ladders.This thick leather linesman belt is made from two lengths of heavy lengths of leather straps sewn together to make up 80% of the belt. The remaining 20% is "the belt tonge" which has eleven holes for three (solid steel tang) buckle connections.kiewa hydro electricity scheme, victorian state electricity commission, relays, generators, electrical pole maintenance

Geoff Lyons worked initially as a storeman for SECV on the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme and later possibly as a linesman on the transmission lines from Mt Beauty to Melbourne.A social history of working in the north east on a construction site. Geoff worked with European migrants in his youth and describes his life as a young man - an interesting comparison to life in the 2020s.4 Books with coloured (2 tones) cardboard cover with hard plastic attached. 1 and 2 books are bound by white plastic strips 3 and 4 are bound with white tape. 1. 1951-52 with 150 pages; 2. 1952-53 with 130 pages; 3. 1954-55 with 101 pages; 4. 1955-56 with 122 pages.All 4 books have "To Colin & Lyn Maxwell from Joy and Geoff Lyons" handwritten on the first page.geoff lyon, storeman, linesman, secv, khes

Yields information about how people were assessed for a Linesman position in the SEC Ballarat and has a strong association with that person., Yields information about how people were assessed for a Linesman position in the SEC Ballarat and has a strong association with that person.Copy of a Memo on SEC printed paper to Mr. Mawby from the Mains Superintendent dated 18/11/19?6 (a calendar check shows that it was Saturday 14/11/1936) regarding the suitability of A. Widdop employed on the Tower Truck regarding his knowledge of the duties of Linesman and recommended him for the position.trams, tramways, overhead, tower truck, linesman, poles

Postmaster-General's Department telegraph linesman, Chris Byrnes, received a British Empire Medal for bravery and devotion to duty for his response to the flooding at Darlington Point, New South Wales, in June 1952. As E Henderson, then Acting Director of Posts and Telegraphs recalled, the town's "communication lines were menaced by floodwaters" when the nearby Murrumbidgee River flooded. In order to retain communication to the town, Chris Byrnes, a Postmaster-General's Department employee of over 13 years, acted in the "best traditions of the service" (E Henderson). An eye witness, recorded in the Murrumbidgee Irrigator newspaper on June 27 1952, described Byrne’s efforts: "An interesting incident was witnessed when a Leeton post office linesman swam through flood waters to reach a telegraph post which had been washed out by the flood…With a rope tied around his waist, one end of which was held by other members of the linesmen's gang, Chris Byrne swam through the flood water…to release the trunk lines from the post." An eye witness, recorded in the Murrumbidgee Irrigator newspaper on June 27 1952, described Byrne’s efforts: "An interesting incident was witnessed when a Leeton post office linesman swam through flood waters to reach a telegraph post which had been washed out by the flood…With a rope tied around his waist, one end of which was held by other members of the linesmen's gang, Chris Byrne swam through the flood water…to release the trunk lines from the post."darlington point, murrumbidgee river, pmg, postmaster-general, linesman, flooding, natural disaster, emergency

This linesman's handset has an earpiece, a mouthpiece, a dialling interface and a set of test leads for connecting to the telephone circuit. This handset has a rotary dial and a hook for hanging the set from a toolbelt. Made of black bakelite. Patent - for improved number dial.Large dial with numbers 1 to 9 + 0. Small dial with letters A, B, F, J, L, M, U, W, X, Y around outside. Telephone No. . . . . . . Listen for dial tone AUS PAT 5338122 BRIT PAT 289244telephone, linesman's test phone

This was used by PMG technicians in Orbost from 1957. These strainers were used until the end of open aerial routes which were phased out over many years at a guess right into the 1980’s. They were a standard and necessary issue device for any linesman working on open aerial routes. A leather strap with metal fittings. It consists of two flat steel surfaces operated by a lever action to grip the wire without causing damage.pmg telephone communication wire-strainer wire-tensioner telecommunications

Booklet with blue Rexene cover and round corners on heavy card with sheet of paper glued on inside of covers and 32 printed pages stapled with in, titled "Instruction for the Guidance of Employees working on or within reach of Live Low Voltage Conductors". Also possibly known as the "L.V. Blue Book" - see top of definitions page. Dated 1949. Above title has name of the organisation - SECV - Electricity Supply Department. Inside front cover has space to record name and occupation of person issued to. In bottom left hand corner has form number "596-210 R2" Has been stamped "L. J. Denmead" by a hand stamped in blue ink and words "Departmental Tramway Supt." written in using blue ink. See image file 1854i2.jpg Book details procedure and rules for SEC employees working on or near low voltage conductors or Powerlines. Covers general matters, authorised employees, work on low voltage overhead lines, moving a conductor near live wires, public lighting, radio and carrier circuits, batteries, portable equipment, metering work on consumer premises, and definitions. Consists of 32 pages sheets of paper, printed and folded with one staple centrally and then stapled into the covers with paper inside pasted onto cover. Contents pages are not numbered. Covers blocked in blackSee issuing details above. On front cover in blue ink "L. J. Denmead / D. T. Supt"trams, tramways, sec, power lines, linesman, safety

The Grass skirt is from New Guinea and was given to Edward Turner by a Fuzzy Wuzzy Angel. Edward Adrian Turner enlisted in the CMF No V24563 on 14.5.1942 age 19 years, transferred to the 2nd AIF as VX112851 on 3.10.1942. Active service is listed as Darwin 26.2.1944 - 19.3.1945, New Guinea area 12.6.1945 - 9.4.1946, discharged from the 2nd AIF 20.8.1946 with the rank of Signaller Linesman in 15th Line section.Grass skirt with plaited waist band, natural toning.grass skirt, new guinea, fuzzy wuzzy, clothing

On the 20th November 1952 SEC linesmen Stewart Aicken, Donald Odames and Desmond Veraker were working on the corner of Gisborne Road and Masons Lane in Bacchus Marsh. Veraker was in the air in a harness working on power lines when he was electrocuted. Aicken and Odames were on the ground and attempted to rescue him and revive him. Sadly Vereker died from his injuries. Aicken and Odames were later given bravery awards by the Royal Humane Society of Australasia for their actions.Royal Humane Society of Australasia certificate presented to Stewart Aicken to recognise the bravery of his actions on the 20th November 1952 in attempting to rescue fellow linesman Desmond Vereker from electrocution. It was awarded to him to accompany a bronze medal also awarded to Aicken for this act of bravery. The certificate and bronze medal are housed in a frame. Underneath the bronze medal is a black and white photograph of Aicken receiving the award from the Governor of Victoria Sir Dallas Brooks in 1953. Also in the photograph is an unidentified man and woman. The unidentified man is probably Donald Odames who was with Aicken on the 20th November 1952 and was also recognised for his bravery by the Royal Humane Society of Australasia.awards, accidents

Newspaper clipping pasted onto a single sheet of paper with two Punch holes on the left hand side with one hole through the photograph within the cutting. Clipping from The Courier, Ballarat, 24/8/1971, about the first stage of Ballarat's changeover from trams to buses passes uneventfully yesterday with only minor difficulties being reported. Quotes Transport Regulation Boards Regional Office, Mr. A. Stott, a few parking problems with cars in bus bays, demand for timetables. Also has a quote from the director of Davis Bus Lines, about minor problems - passengers asking questions. Has a photograph of the SEC linesman dismantling overhead in Victoria St., as a trail. A gang from Melbourne will come to Ballarat early in September to pull down all the lines. Newspaper cutting published on the Tuesday. 2nd copy added 14/11/2002In red ink in upper right hand corner, "24/8/71" On sheet of paper, various pencil markings - with date Dec. 1963. Possibly paper used by Donor at his job with the former machinery makers, Ronaldson and Tippet.trams, tramways, closure, bus changeover, overhead, dismantling

By arrangment with local and family history librarian, Myra Dowling, this diary was transcribed by Sandra Dexter from the original, which was donated to the City of Boroondara Library Service following the Boroondara Remembers project in 2015. It is a day-to-day account of a soldier's experience going to fight in World War 1, 1914-1919. Robert Thomas Garford (SERN 1138) was born in Fitzroy in 1892. He was aged 23 and living in Camberwell when he enlisted on 14 September 1914. He embarked from Melbourne on board HMAT A38 Ulysses on 22 December 1914. He was a sapper with the 2nd Divisional Signal Company. He was awarded a Military Medal: 'At CLERY, near MT.ST. QUENTIN, on the 31st of August 1918, this soldier was engaged as a linesman at the Brigade Forward Station. Throughout the day forward lines were repeatedly broken by enemy shell fire. Despite this Sapper FARFORD [sic], with very conspicuous coolness patrolled the lines from end to end repairing one break after another. His untiring efforts were responsible for the constant maintenance of communications from the Brigade Station to the Battalions.' Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 115, 10 October 1919. He returned to Australia 3 December 1918. He married Annie Christina Devine in 1941. They lived at 16 York Street, Surrey Hills and later 17 Blackburn Street, Surrey Hills. He died 30 May 1969 at Surrey Hills and is buried in Box Hill Cemetery: P-A-0054.A day to day account of a soldier's experience going to fight in World War 1, 1914-1919world war, 1914-1918, diaries and journals, (mr) (sapper) r garford, box hill cemetery, robert thomas garford

This certificate acknowledges 21 years of service given by James Patten, one of the original 1859 Lifeboat Warrnambool as a boatman and bowman. At the time, all retiring Volunteer lifeboatmen were honoured with this award. It was made as a lithograph that was created by F. W. Strahle at the request of the Department of Lands & Survey, Melbourne, Victoria. During his time of service, James Patten was awarded a medal and certificate by the Royal Humane Society of Australasia for his bravery. Patten and his friend Joseph Lowe, who couldn't swim, were with their friend James Ferrier in a boat on the Hopkins River, Warrnambool, when their boat capsized. Ferrier made it to shore, and Patten tried unsuccessfully to hold onto Lowe and bring him to shore. The event occurred on 18th April 1890. The images on the Certificate show a collage of rescue events performed by the lifesavers; a shipwreck rescue in progress, lifeboat conveying five boatmen using two oars each, and a bowman standing at the bow, a linesman wearing a life jacket and holding a rescue line, a lifesaver ring with images of three sailing ships inside it, a shipwreck near shore, a woman and girl in shallow water, a rescue using a breeches buoy on the lifeline, two rescuers walking towards the survivor, rescue crew wearing waterproof clothing, a rocket machine with a pulley to bring the survivor in a breaches buoy to shore, and a rescue crew member holding a flare. Volunteers at the time received a small payment, or 'retainer'', for their practices and a payment of gratitude for the rescues they attended. Across the years between 1856 to 1979 the combined service in Victoria saved 260 lives. Amazingly, some of the volunteers could not even swim.This certificate shows the State and Local Government's appreciation for the years of service spent by in the endeavour to save lives in peril in and on the local waters in the early 20th Century. The lithographed design depicts the many skills and services performed by the lifesavers of the era.Certificate of Service, unframed, awarded to James Patten on 23rd August 1907, recognising his 21 years of service with the original Warrnambool Life Boat Service as a Boatman and Bowman. Certificate is on rectangular, cream paper, lithographed design, printed and handwritten. Letterhead with the Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom and a French motto. Images depict lifesaving crew, lifeboat, rescue equipment and a rescue in progress. The border is waves inside of frame of looped rope. Signatures of Commissioner of Public Works, Secretary of Public Works, and Engineer in charge of Ports and Harbours, Melbourne. Printed from a lithograph produced by F.W. Strahle on 23rd June 1907.MOTTO: "Dieu Droit Et Mon, Ni Soit Qui Mal y" TREXT: "Certificate granted to James Patten as a mark of appreciation of his esteemed services of 21 years as Boatman and Bowman connected with the Departmental Life-Boat service at Warrnambool - dated the 23rd day of August 1907." SIGNATURES: [Commissioner of Public Works], [Secretary of Public Works], [Engineer in charge of Ports and Harbours Melbourne] "Lithographed at the Dept of Lands & Survey - Melb/ by F.W. Strahle, 23.6.07"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff-hill, maritime museum, maritime village, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum & village, james patten, life-saving, lifesaving, rescue, bravery, drowning, joseph lowe, james ferrier, hopkins river, boat accident, certificate of service, 1890, 1907, bowman, boatman, departmental life-boat service, life-boat service, lifeboat service, august 1907, commissioner of public works, public works, ports and harbours melbourne, lands & survey melbourne, f w strahle, lithograph, 1856-1979, 260 lives saved, victorian volunteers, lifeboatmen, retired lifeboatmen

Ironmonger and Blackie BERT “DAINTY” IRONMONGER (1882-1971) and DON “ROCK” BLACKIE (1882-1955), the legendary off-spin bowlers, were “spin twins” in real life, born just two days apart. Dainty and Rock had an “average” age of 51 years and 273 days when photographed outside the Melbourne Cricket Club on the eve of their joint Testimonial Match on 16 November 1933. Blackie, a PMG linesman by trade, was nicknamed “Rock” because that’s what he’d call people when he inevitably forgot their names. Ironmonger, employed for over 30 years by St Kilda Council as a gardener, was nicknamed “Dainty” because he wasn’t! These men were famous for making their Test Cricket debuts when they were 46 years, 237 days old (Dainty) and 46 years, 252 days old (Rock). Whilst they only played one Test together, they were selected 24 times in the same Victorian team. It is no coincidence that the golden era of Victorian cricket coincided with their tenure. They played with St Kilda Cricket Club for nine seasons and the grandstand at Junction Oval bears the “Blackie-Ironmonger” name to this day. When on interstate tours, they shared a hotel room, where they plotted the downfall of their batting opponents. Their joint Testimonial Match was played over four days and featured all-star line-ups from three states. The opposing teams were captained by Bill “Wormkiller” Woodfull (memorial statue at Melbourne High School) and Vic “The Guardsman” Richardson (memorial gates at Adelaide Oval). The serious first class game attracted over 40,000 spectators and raised £908 for each man, around $45,000 in today’s money. In a game featuring la crème de la crème of contemporary batsmen – Bill “Ponny” Ponsford, Don “The Don” Bradman, Stan “Napper” McCabe et al – and all time doyens of the art of spin bowling – Clarrie “The Gnome” Grimmett, Bill “Tiger” O’Reilly and “Chuck” Fleetwood Smith – “Rock” topped his side of the bowling scorecard, picking up the best bowling figures of 3 for 69! Unhappily, Dainty’s old knee injury reoccurred and he had to sit out the last two days of play. Featured in "Newsworthy: Melbourne in photographs 1933-1936" exhibition at East Melbourne Library, October to December 2023. Exhibition caption by project volunteer, Ernie Ward. Photographer notations on slide: "Testimonial Cricket at MCC 1933 Blackie Ironmonger B9".cricket

Yields information about how the SEC filed pamphlets or information papers about tramway overhead and associated equipment and letters.Green cardboard file folder with metal clip and binder - "The Acorn Individual File - Foolscap size with title blocks containing the following items: 4910 - Tangential Suspension - overhead 4911.1 - Letter from "The Forest City Electric Co. Limited" to ESCo re Point controllers, tramway signals and warning signs, dated 29/7/1936 - 2 pages 4911.2 - Collins Patent Automatic Point Turner - sheet 19 - 4 pages - sheet 19, two copies 4911.2a - ditto, sheet 18 QT - four pages 4911.3 - Electrically operated Point switches, overhead frogs and signals for tramcar depots. - four pages 4911.4 - Automatic Tramway Signals - five pages - sheet ATS1 4911.5 - Universal Insulator - Sheet 17 - 2 pages 4911.6 - Porcelain hangers - sheet 15/1 - 2 pages 4911.7 - Porcelain insulators for cap and cone supension - page 11, 1 page. 4911.8 - Motor Bus and Tramcar Stage and Fare Signs in Cast Aluminium - sheet MD2 - 1 page 4911.9 - Flashers and Spellers - Sheet F1 - 2 pages 4911.10 - Forest City Relays - 2 pages 4911.11 - Traffic light - 1 page, sheet 2A 4912 - Memo re Suitability of Mr A. Widdop as a linesman - 18/11/1936 4913.1 - Letter dated 22/6/1937 from Agent General in London to the SEC Melbourne regarding shipment of the Non-Car Counting Signals. 4913.2 - Letter from the Forest City Electric Co 18/6/1937, regarding forwarding a blue print for the signals. 4914 - Letter from the Forest City Electric Co 23/6/1937, regarding forwarding sample insulators and booklet 15.2 4915 - Letter from Sands Hill Manufacturing Co to ESCo re regarding overhead crossings - dated 13/4/1928. 4916 - Memo dated 14/3/1934 to Mr Pringle, regarding tension in trolley wire. 4917 - Letter from T. Strickland MMTB to Bendigo re standard height for ears above rail level - 16/3/1934. Some of these document Scanned in pdf form to COTMA Library 1/2011 On rear of file: Top of file - "Tramways", in title block "Tramway Overhead & Signals" and in bottom right hand corner - "230". On spine - in pencil - "Overhead Parts and Proceedings"trams, tramways, signals, overhead, pamphlets, manual

Linesmen worked on the SEC power towers erecting the towers and supplying lines. They were also responsible for the maintenance of the lines. The article has photos of the men undergoing training with an emphasis on safety.The SEC constructed the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme and were resposible for the erection of the power towers and lines enabling the electricity to be distributed throughout the state of Victoria and beyond.Pages 6 and 7, S.E.C. News, April 28, 1966 Article 'Safe Working Paramount' with 9 photos including names of the men working.linesmen, power towers, electric power lines, sec training

.1 - Provides the Victorian Regulations and requirements for electric wiring, switch boards for all buildings and installations in 1950. .2 - as above for 1960, has a detailed list of contents, tables and index at the rear. Applicable for 1960 .3 - provides the training program and procedures for the training of SECV Linesmen in the 1950's.1 - Yields information on the electrical requirements that Victorian Electricians and others parties were required to follow in electrical wiring. .2 - as above .3 - Demonstrates the procedures that SEC Linesmen were required to follow in their work..1 - Book - 10 sewn sections, orange cloth covers, 200 pages titled "SEC Wiring Regulations 1950". Cover price 3s .2 - Book - 15 sections, with end papers, 300 pages, red hard back cover "SEC Wiring Regulations 1961". Cover price 7/6 .3 - Book - 43 pages bound with metal binder into a manila card cover, titled "SEC Lineman's School Notes" - dated 9/12/1955.2 - has pencil notes on the inside of the rear cover. .3 - has the name "Bill ?" on the rear cover.secv, state electricity commission, rules, wiring, electrical, regulations, tramways

This van was used in Western Australia by linesmen and for mail pickup between 1972 and 1991. When transferred to the collection, it was the very last surviving vehicle of its type owned by the company. Despite its age, the van is in excellent condition having been reconditioned in 1987.This Volkswagen Transporter, 2nd generation, is commonly known as a kombi van; named as such after the German word Kombinationskraftwagen, meaning multi-purpose vehicle. This van is believed to have been used by linesmen and for mail collection from 1972 to 1991 in Western Australia, before being donated to the, then, Telstra Collection. Conflicting accounts from John Moynihan, PMG Engineer and author, suggest the van was used by cable jointers from the 1960s. Owing to this unclear use, the van’s historical significance is low though provenance from the Postmaster General’s Department to Telecom, then Telstra, is established. In 1987, the vehicle was extensively reconditioned and some original parts were presumably replaced. It is not, however, in working order or in good condition; the body carries several areas of rust, rubber seals have suffered plasticiser migration, a mirror is missing and there are marks from use. The hand lettered “P.M.G.” inscription is indicative of a Postmaster General fleet vehicle, as is the red colour of the vehicle paint. Though it is in poor condition, the van’s aesthetic style is of some significance. The van is representative of the type of Volkswagen vehicle used by the Postmaster General’s Department and other private businesses and government branches of the era. The vehicle may, therefore, carry social significance for those that lived in this era, where their communication service provider travelled in a Volkswagen van. Indeed, Volkswagen vans were used into the Telecom era, as evidenced by an image (6681153) in the National Archives of Australia collection. While many of these vehicles may exist today, there are few to no examples which survive in museum collections. In 1966, the Post Office (Postmaster General’s Department) had the largest fleet in Australia, totalling nearly 11,000 vehicles (The Canberra Times, 29 September 1966, p. 34). Though in the late 1960s Volkswagen vehicles accounted for just over 500 of these vehicles, with the remainder represented by Ford, General Motors, Chrysler, and others, the multi-purpose nature of the van is significant as a metaphor for the multi-directional services of the Postmaster General’s Department. Archival images show a variety of models and adaptations including roof racks, bull bar and door configurations. Its conflicted history of use may in fact attest to the vehicles variety of application in the duties of the Postmaster General‘s Department.Red Volkswagen Kombi van with stencilled gold lettering on doors. Scratches on bumpers indicate duck-egg blue undercoat. Single sliding door on left side of vehicle body with secondary opening at rear with horizontally divided doors. Mirror missing on right front. Western Australia registration sticker in front windscreen..1: "PMG" .2: "ROYAL" .3-.4 "PMG" .5-.6: "MAIL" .7,.8: "ER" .9: "C OF A / ZEH 622"transport, kombi van, linesman van, postal van, postmaster general’s department