The Volunteers Air Observers was formed in 1941 with the aim of observing aircraft flying over Australia. There were over 24000 civilians volunteering their services and as the military threat to Australia subsided they took on roles as coast and weather watching. This photograph shows a group of local volunteers at their work. Mrs. S Hamilton, Mrs. J Lees, F/O E F English, Mrs. R Picton, Mr. Ralph Barnes and Miss S McDonaldA local item which relates to an organization which operated around Australia in the 1940’s. Small newspaper cutting with photograph with six people around a table. Text is underneath the photo. The back has an advertisement for Fletcher Jones clothingThe picture shows a control room manned by volunteer personnel. Here the plotters are marking positions of aircraft with symbols on a map of the surrounding district while the Teller in the raised chair sends reports on to the Air Force, which thus has a check of all planes left to right Mrs. S Hamilton, Mrs. J Lees, F/O E F English, Mrs. R Picton, Mr. Ralph Barnes and Miss S McDonald volunteer air observers corps,, volunteer air observers corps,, mrs. s hamilton,, mrs. j lees,, f/o e f english, mrs. r picton, mr. ralph barnes, miss s mcdonald warrnambool

This envelope has been used at the Warrnambool chemist shop of Harry Shilton to protect the films (snapshots) developed for a customer. Harry Shilton’s shop was at 119 Liebig Street. He took over the pharmacy business of Ralph Barnes in 1937 and Alan Anderson became his business partner in 1953. Mr Shilton retired from the business in 1960. No information is available on the recipient of the photographs (‘Mrs. Leah’)This envelope is retained as a memento of the pharmacy business of Harry Shilton, a mid 20th century chemist in This is a buff-coloured paper envelope with an overlapping flap with adhesive on it for sealing the envelope. The front of the envelope contains black printing (slightly askew) and one pencil mark. ‘Shilton’s Snapshot Service’ ‘Mrs. Leah, 116 film’ warrnambool pharmacies, 20th century photography, history of warrnambool