2009 Bushfires Royal Commission Final Report consisting of a cardboard folder with a colour illustration of a bushfire scene; final report summary booklet with extensive black printed text and the same cover illustration as the folder; and an electronic version consisting a CD in a cardboard cover.The Black Saturday bushfires were a series of devastating bushfires that swept across Victoria beginning on 7 February 2009. They continued to ravage the State of Victoria until declared under control on 14th March 2009. Over 450,000 hectares of land were burned, impacting 78 communities and 51 townships. Tragically 173 people died in the fires and another 414 were recorded as injured. More than 2,000 homes and a total of 3,500 buildings were destroyed. The Royal Commission immediately called for by Victorian Premier Mr John Brumby issued 67 recommendations which changed building codes in high-risk zones, warning systems, and Country Fire Authority (CFA) safety policies.victorian bushfires 2009, natural disasters victoria

In April 2012 former Royal Australian College of General Practitioners president Dr Paul Hemming was appointed the University of Ballarat’s new chancellor. Dr Hemming was a deputy chancellor of the university since 2011 and a member of the university council since 2007, and replaces outgoing chancellor Robert Smith. He was a founding director of Beyondblue and has been president of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. He was also president of the Australian Medical Association Victoria and has served on numerous federal government medical bodies and tribunals. Chancellors are appointed to chair the university's council (governing body) as the senior office holder of the University. They also confer the academic awards of the university, and represent the university at meetings, functions and ceremonies. At the installation of Dr Hemming as the Fifth Chancellor Of The University Of Ballarat Governor of Victoria Alex Chrnov said: "I join Bonnie Fagan in acknowledging the traditional owners of this land and I pay my respects to their elders past and present. It is my great pleasure, as Governor of Victoria and Visitor to the University of Ballarat, to install Dr Paul Hemming as the fifth Chancellor of this University. I extend to him and his family my warmest congratulations on this appointment and wish him all the best in his new role. I have no doubt that he will be an industrious and wise leader of this University. Although the University of Ballarat is one of Australia’s newest Universities, it is the third oldest Tertiary institution in our country with the School of Mines being established in 1870. It has much to be proud of, and should be recognised for its commitment to being one of our most outstanding regionally focused higher education institutions. It offers on six campuses a diverse, yet suitably targeted, group of learning models that include higher education, TAFE and senior secondary school education, and is one of the few universities in the country that has an associated Technology Park. This University is uniquely placed to provide higher education in Regional Victoria. For example, I understand that by 2020 the population in the Ballarat area will increase by 20% so this University will have the responsibility and opportunity to provide educational opportunities for this growing population. The role of the Governor can be divided into three parts – ceremonial, constitutional and community engagement. It is the third aspect of the role that is most time consuming and, I add, enjoyable. It includes making official visits to Regional areas of Victoria. To date Elizabeth and I have been on 16 such visits and the thing that stands out is that despite the challenges that face Regional communities whether it be through natural disasters, or the economy more broadly – the stoicism, volunteerism and self reliance are always present. Ballarat is an example of such resilience and confidence in its future that can be dated back to this University’s inception. When the School of Mines was established in 1870 on the back of the gold rush era of the 1850s, the local community had vision and faith in its future that is reflected in the building of this institution. It is not dissimilar to Melbourne, where its relatively few citizens established the iconic pillars of our society like the State Library, the University of Melbourne, Parliament Houses and the National Gallery of Victoria. The contribution by the University of Ballarat to Regional Victoria cannot be overstated. Not only does it provide top educational opportunities for students from the Region but its graduates almost invariably end up working in Regional Australia, and often in their own local communities. More specifically, almost three out of every four of the graduates from this University end up finding employment in Regional areas. Such figures highlight the University’s significant contribution to the Regional economy. But its impact is not limited to our Regional areas – it extends to other parts of Australia and overseas. But like so many other higher education institutions in Australia, the University of Ballarat is facing challenges brought about by events such as global uncertainties and the high Australian dollar that impact on the inflow of international students, and dealing with students, more and more of whom come from the lower socio economic sector. It is in those circumstances that the Chancellor must show leadership that involves, amongst others, objectively guiding the Council and supporting the Vice-Chancellor, albeit without becoming involved in the day to day micro management of the University. A strong, trusting and respectful working relationship between the Chancellor and the Vice-Chancellor is, I believe, critical to the sound progress of a University. Before I turn more specifically to Dr Hemming, I would like to reflect briefly on his immediate predecessor, Emeritus Professor Robert Smith. I am sure that Dr Hemming has already found in Professor Smith an invaluable source of assistance. He was a skilled and effective leader not only here, but also in the broader higher education sector. I mention by way of example his instigation and leadership two years ago of the much acclaimed Chancellors’ Conference that was held in Melbourne. There was great diffidence amongst the Chancellors in having it at all. It was a little like herding cats. But Bob Smith spearheaded the organisation of it, with great attention to detail. And it was his hard work and leadership that resulted in the Conference being such a success and of assistance to all Chancellors who attended. It was an illustration of Bob Smith’s skills as a leader in the sector and of this University. And the sector, just as this University remains indebted to him. And I have no doubt that Dr Hemming will similarly lead this University through the challenging, yet exciting, times that lie ahead. He is eminently qualified to do so, in terms of his personal attributes, academic achievements and experience in governance. With his extensive medical career as a General Practitioner, service on a number of Federal Government medical boards and tribunals, and having been a Founding Director of ‘Beyondblue’, President of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and President of the Australian Medical Association (Victoria), his list of personal and professional achievements, as well as his strong sense of public and community duty, is impressive. Importantly, Dr Hemming has a long standing connection with the Ballarat community, having moved here with his family from the United Kingdom in 1977. He is now even accepted as a “local” I am told. Given his range of experience to which I have referred and the time he has already spent on the Council and Standing Committees of this University, he is obviously well placed to take part in leading this University. So it is a great pleasure for me to install Dr Hemming as the fifth Chancellor of the University of Ballarat." (http://www.governor.vic.gov.au/victorias-governor/publications/speeches/speech/speech/104) Colour photographS of three men in academic regalia sitting inside the Ballarat Uniting Church, Lydiard Street South. Chancellor Dr Paul Hemming sit in the centre, with Vice-Chancellor Professor david Battersby on the left. Also audience images, academics and a dinner at Craig's Hotel.university of ballarat, federation university, regalia, chancellor, vice chancellor, paul hemming, david battersby, alex chrnov, todd walker, andy smith, craig's hotel, academics

Victorian Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (VIOSH) Australia is the Asia-Pacific centre for teaching and research in occupational health and safety (OHS) and is known as one of Australia's leaders on the field. VIOSH has a global reputation for its innovative approach within the field of OHS management. VIOSH had its first intake of students in 1979. At that time the Institution was known as the Ballarat College of Advanced Education. In 1990 it became known as Ballarat University College, then in 1994 as University of Ballarat. It was 2014 that it became Federation University. VIOSH Australia students are safety managers, senior advisors and experienced OHS professionals. They come from all over Australia and industry. Students are taught active research and enquiry; rather than textbook learning and a one-size fits all approach. VIOSH accepts people into the Graduate Diploma of Occupational Hazard Management who have no undergraduate degree - on the basis of extensive work experience and knowledge. Newsletter of Ballarat University College Association of Occupational Hazard Management Graduates, June 1992. Editor is Thomas Mitchell, who became a lecturer within VIOSH. Newsletter mentions the E C Wigglesworth Award which is given yearly for the best original contribution of a journal article or equivalent published work. Dennis Else's professorial status, Steve Cowley becoming Director of VIOSH, and Derek Woolley taking up the position of Assistant Director of the College. Dulcie Brooke is awarded an honorarium for her many years of involvement with VIOSH. S.H.A.R.E. program enters a new phase. This was an important feature - sharing solutions to problems by establishing a data base. Leaflet advertising a seminar - "Emergency and Counter Disaster Planning" - 23 July 1992. Speakers are Mr Merrick Chatfield - Natural Disaster Organisation, Australian Counter Disaster College, Mt Macedon, Victoria and Dr Norman Barling, Psychology Department, Ballarat University College.A3 sheet folded in half - four pages with two column each. Separate A4 sheet Seminar ProgramLetterhead - Ballarat University Collegeviosh, victorian institute of occupational safety and health, association of occupational hazard management graduates newsletter, thomas mitchell, editor, e c wigglesworth award, dennis else, dulcie brooke, honorarium, s.h.a.r.e., photographs and memorabilia, emergency and counter disaster planning, merrick chatfield, natural disaster organisation, australian counter disaster college, mt macedon, norman barling, psychologist, ballarat university college

Australia's worst natural disaster, fed by extreme temperatures, tornado-like wind speeds and tinder-dry land, culminated in the disaster we now know as Black Saturday, February 7, 2009. Before the sun would set on the blackest day in Australia's history, thousands of hectares would become blackened landscape and an unparalleled loss of lives could only mean that many areas would never be the same again. To remember the people lost to the devastating Black Saturday fires of 2009 and our brave CFA men and women who battled the elements to protect our towns, the Australian Blacksmiths Association (Victoria) Inc. invited blacksmiths from across the country and around the world to contribute to the creation of a steel gumtree. The Blacksmiths' Tree, as it came to be called, was erected on February 14, 2014. Five years in the making, this 10m high stainless steel and copper tree was forged with love and care by hundreds of blacksmiths across 20 countries. It stands in the township of Strathewen, Victoria, Australia to remember all of those who perished in the Black Saturday fires of 2009, those who fought the fires and those who continue to live their lives with hope and courage. The tree stands at the Peter Avola Memorial Pavilion, 160 Chadds Creek Road, Strathewen, Victoria.fay bridge collection, black saturday, kinglake, victorian bushfires - 2009, the tree project

This book is dedicated to all who lost so much on the darkest Saturday in Australia's history. Australia's worst natural disaster was a tragedy beyond belief that scarred Victoria physically and the whole Australian nation physiologically. Extreme temperatures, tornado-like wind speeds and tinder-dry land, culminated in the disaster we now know as Black Saturday. Before the sun would set on the blackest day in Australia's history, thousands of hectares would become blackened landscape and an unparalleled loss of lives could only mean that many areas would never be the same again. This graphic pictorial record takes you through the conditions prior to the day, the horrific fires that destroyed both bush and townships alike, the amazing bravery of emergency services personnel and the tragic aftermath. Accounts from eye-witnesses describe a fire like never seen before, a wild fire that outran every warning system. "A comprehensive account of Australia's worst natural disaster ever"black saturday, bush fires, bushfire, fire damage - buildings, victorian bushfires - 2009

St John Ambulance of Victoria was founded in 1883 to teach public First Aid classes in Victoria. In 1887 it commenced the first ambulance service in Melbourne until 1916 when it was taken over by the state. In 1965 the first Search and Rescue Squad was formed in Victoria. St john Ambulance members are volunteers who are often on stand-by at public events and called out to natural / extreme disasters. This scarf may have been worn by a student learning first aid from a member of the St John Ambulance Association. It signifies that such classes were held in the Kiewa Valley. April 1940 a four stretcher ambulance was developed for use on the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme. The design was modified for comparatively long and rough trips.Cream coloured triangular cotton scarf with 2 sides, a base and a point labelled. At the point is the logo of The St John Ambulance Association. The scarf has drawings all over it showing people and/or body parts bandaged with numbers on the bandages and the views labelled front, back etc.st john ambulance association. first aid. scarf. neck tie.

Victoria will be sliced in half during the next two years by earth scientists who expect to reveal hidden mineral wealth and better understand land degradation caused by salinity. By using instruments that send vibrations into the earth, geologists will peel back the surface layers to expose a hidden landscape of buried hills, valleys and fossil streams, undiscovered gold and mineral wealth, and giant extinct volcanos. The $3 million project, called the Victorian Geotraverse, will attempt to expose the processes that shaped the state and helped form its mineral wealth. The project will be discussed at a conference, Victoria Undercover, in Benalla this week. Project leader Neil Phillips, chief of CSIRO Exploration and Mining, said the project would attempt to discover where the rest of Victoria's gold deposits might be found and where the next salinity disaster might strike. Using this process they will cut a 500-kilometre swathe through the Grampians, Bendigo, Benalla and Wodonga, curving down to Mallacoota on the far east coast. The project will involve 12 earth science agencies including the Victorian Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Geoscience Australia, the Cooperative Research Centre for Landscape, Environments and Mineral Exploration and the CSIRO. ('Age' newspaper, 28th April, 2002. https://www.theage.com.au/national/going-to-ground-for-state-secrets-20020428-gdu5tz.html Scientists will send shocks through the Victorian earth which will be reflected back and recorded on instruments that will reveal the density of the rocks below.'Australian' newspaper article, 25/26th May, 2002, 'Geologists point to gold bonanza'. Article describes the $5 million Geotraverse research in Victoria, undertaken by CSIRO geologists, that 'estimate the northern plains of Victoria conceal up to 5000 tonnes of gold'. Image on bottom of article, possibly S.T. Gill watercolour, titled 'Victorian miners pan for gold in the mid-1800's'.bendigo mining n.l., bendigo, mining, gold, csiro, geologist, geology, victorian geotraverse project

Copy of black and white photograph of tornado at Marong. Dark sky above with funnel to ground. Printed on cream card with printed border. Inscriptions: on front - below image 'Australian Tornado at Marong, loss of life and destruction of property. Photo taken by C Hosken, three miles distant. Sept. 27, 1911. On TR corner 'MP106'. On back - circular stamp 'Royal Historical Society of Victoria, Bendigo Branch', '2nd of 2 copies' hand written in ink.topic, natural disaster

Copy of black and white photograph of tornado at Marong. Dark sky above with funnel to ground. Printed on cream card with printed border. Inscriptions: on front - below image 'Australian Tornado at Marong, loss of life and destruction of property. Photo taken by C Hosken, three miles distant. Sept. 27, 1911. On TR corner 'MP106'. On back - circular stamp 'Royal Historical Society of Victoria, Bendigo Branch', '2nd of 2 copies' hand written in ink.topic, natural disaster

Copy of black and white photograph of tornado at Marong. Dark sky above with funnel to ground. Printed on cream card with printed border. Inscriptions: on front - below image 'Australian Tornado at Marong, loss of life and destruction of property. Photo taken by C Hosken, three miles distant. Sept. 27, 1911. On TR corner 'MP106'. On back - circular stamp 'Royal Historical Society of Victoria, Bendigo Branch', '2nd of 2 copies' hand written in ink.topic, natural disaster

This badge has been produced as a fund-raiser for the Red Cross in Victoria. Swiss-born Henri Dunant founded the Red Cross in the 1860s and it has now become an international humanitarian organization and a community service charity assisting particularly in times of war and natural disasters. The Red Cross in Victoria dates from 1914 and each year funds are collected from the public to assist the organization. This badge is an example of fund-raising for the Red Cross in Victoria.Circular badge with red border, white background and red cross in centre, pin clip on back.PATRICK BROS. MELBOURNE (Badge) MADE IN GREAT BRITAIN (Clip) red cross, swiss-born henri dunant, history of warrnambool

The 'Black Saturday' bushfires were a series of bushfires that ignited across the Australian state of Victoria on and around Saturday, 7 February 2009. It was Australia's worst ever natural disaster. The fires occurred during extreme bushfire-weather conditions and resulted in Australia's highest ever loss of life from a bushfire: 173 people died and 414 were injured as a result of the fires.This work is by a local contemporary artist with a national and international reputation for figurative and portrait works. The 'Black Saturday' series is a powerful investigation of emotion and grief as experienced by many Nillumbik residents during the 2009 'Black Saturday' bushfires. A cluster of bronze figurines either stand alone or embrace in groups. Their expressions and gestures of despair are made more pertinent with the raw like application and surface treatment of the material used. The 'Black Saturday' series is a challenging work, but one that encourages healing, connection and empathy. Solitary male figure wrapped in a blanket, clutched to his chest and over his head. Surface treatment is textured. Metallic brown colour with base starting to turn a green patina. Sticker underside of sculpture 'WEGNER THE BLANKET AG205642'wegner, bronze, figurine, black saturday, sculpture

The 'Black Saturday' bushfires were a series of bushfires that ignited across the Australian state of Victoria on and around Saturday, 7 February 2009. It was Australia's worst ever natural disaster. The fires occurred during extreme bushfire-weather conditions and resulted in Australia's highest ever loss of life from a bushfire: 173 people died and 414 were injured as a result of the fires.This work is by a local contemporary artist with a national and international reputation for figurative and portrait works. The 'Black Saturday' series is a powerful investigation of emotion and grief as experienced by many Nillumbik residents during the 2009 'Black Saturday' bushfires. A cluster of bronze figurines either stand alone or embrace in groups. Their expressions and gestures of despair are made more pertinent with the raw like application and surface treatment of the material used. The 'Black Saturday' series is a challenging work, but one that encourages healing, connection and empathy. Solitary male figure wearing a long hooded coat clutching his hands underneath his chin in shock. Surface treatment is textured. Dark metallic brown colour. Hand carved on base, back of figure '2/6 WEGNER 10'wegner, bronze, figurine, black saturday, sculpture

The 'Black Saturday' bushfires were a series of bushfires that ignited across the Australian state of Victoria on and around Saturday, 7 February 2009. It was Australia's worst ever natural disaster. The fires occurred during extreme bushfire-weather conditions and resulted in Australia's highest ever loss of life from a bushfire: 173 people died and 414 were injured as a result of the fires.This work is by a local contemporary artist with a national and international reputation for figurative and portrait works. The 'Black Saturday' series is a powerful investigation of emotion and grief as experienced by many Nillumbik residents during the 2009 'Black Saturday' bushfires. A cluster of bronze figurines either stand alone or embrace in groups. Their expressions and gestures of despair are made more pertinent with the raw like application and surface treatment of the material used. The 'Black Saturday' series is a challenging work, but one that encourages healing, connection and empathy. Two men embrace in despair. One man throws his arms around the other man's shoulders. The other man holds the other's back. Surface treatment is textured. Dark metallic brown colour with figures starting to turn a green patina. Note stuck with tape underside of sculpture 'Savage Art Prize Peter Wegner (phone number) The Embrace 2011'wegner, bronze, figurines, black saturday, sculpture

The 'Black Saturday' bushfires were a series of bushfires that ignited across the Australian state of Victoria on and around Saturday, 7 February 2009. It was Australia's worst ever natural disaster. The fires occurred during extreme bushfire-weather conditions and resulted in Australia's highest ever loss of life from a bushfire: 173 people died and 414 were injured as a result of the fires.This work is by a local contemporary artist with a national and international reputation for figurative and portrait works. The 'Black Saturday' series is a powerful investigation of emotion and grief as experienced by many Nillumbik residents during the 2009 'Black Saturday' bushfires. A cluster of bronze figurines either stand alone or embrace in groups. Their expressions and gestures of despair are made more pertinent with the raw like application and surface treatment of the material used. The 'Black Saturday' series is a challenging work, but one that encourages healing, connection and empathy. Solitary figure sitting on rock/log with elbows resting on knees and hands on head. Face looking down in despair. Surface treatment is textured. Dark metallic brown colour with figure starting to turn a green patina.Sticker underside of sculpture 'No. 205640 (AP)'wegner, figurine, bronze, black saturday, sculpture

The 'Black Saturday' bushfires were a series of bushfires that ignited across the Australian state of Victoria on and around Saturday, 7 February 2009. It was Australia's worst ever natural disaster. The fires occurred during extreme bushfire-weather conditions and resulted in Australia's highest ever loss of life from a bushfire: 173 people died and 414 were injured as a result of the fires.This work is by a local contemporary artist with a national and international reputation for figurative and portrait works. The 'Black Saturday' series is a powerful investigation of emotion and grief as experienced by many Nillumbik residents during the 2009 'Black Saturday' bushfires. A cluster of bronze figurines either stand alone or embrace in groups. Their expressions and gestures of despair are made more pertinent with the raw like application and surface treatment of the material used. The 'Black Saturday' series is a challenging work, but one that encourages healing, connection and empathy. Three figures embrace in despair (two men, one woman). One throws his arms around the other two figures who are consoling each other in an emotional embrace. Surface treatment is textured . Metallic brown colour. 'WEGNER THE WAKE 1 AG205643'wegner, figurines, bronze, black saturday, sculpture

The 'Black Saturday' bushfires were a series of bushfires that ignited across the Australian state of Victoria on and around Saturday, 7 February 2009. It was Australia's worst ever natural disaster. The fires occurred during extreme bushfire-weather conditions and resulted in Australia's highest ever loss of life from a bushfire: 173 people died and 414 were injured as a result of the fires. For most women being part of the Lasting Memories Mosaic Group was a way of reconnecting to the area, friends and neighbours. As the months went by, the idea of creating a gift to the community together was born. The women wanted to artistically express their memories of what they had experienced. Creating a mosaic seat in the heart of St Andrews allowed the group to be 'in control' of building something from the ground up - a symbol of hope, recovery and renewal. All of their experiences and memories have been included into the seat design, which makes it so special. This mosaic seat is proudly positioned outside the St Andrews Hall, which is also the site for the St Andrews market held every Saturday throughout the year.The Lasting Memories Mosaic group began this piece just after the Black Saturday fires in 2009. After the horrific fires ravaged through St Andrews and the surrounding areas, a group of bushfire affected ladies bravely came back to St Andrews to begin their healing in an artistic way. Each woman created something beautiful and meaningful, using remnants of crockery, glass, tiles and bricks salvaged from their own properties. This artworks identifies who they are and tells their personal 'life journey' and family heritage and memories of what they had experienced before, during and beyond Black Saturday. It is also an expression of their love for the St. Andrews area and the nature and people within it. A large concrete seat in the style of an organic chaise lounge covered in mosaic (broken tiles, glass, crockery and ceramics of all shapes and colour). The pieces have been placed to form pictures, words and patterns that tell and recount stories and memories of reflection, hope and love of a group of people who experienced the Black Saturday bushfires. (Click on links to view details of the seat) black saturday, mosaic, art, lasting memories, st andrews, tiles, glass, fire, concrete, cement, chris reade, ekphrasis2017

Black and white photograph of the lake at Lake Tyers Aboriginal Station, showing flood waters which have covered the shoreline landing, reaching halfway up the walls of the boathouse. A rowing boat is moored to a tree in the foreground. Lake Tyers Victoriaaboriginals, natural disasters, waterways, buildings

Black and white photograph of the flooding of the lake at Lake Tyers Aboriginal Station, showing flood water part way up the walls of the boatshed, having covered the shoreline landing. Lake Tyers Victoriaaboriginals, waterways, buildings, natural disasters, floods

Lake Tyers is usually isolated from the ocean by a sandbar. When flooding of the lake system occurs, it is necessary to manually open the bar.Black and white photograph of a group of people digging a trench with shovels in an attempt to direct the flood waters from the lake to the ocean. Other adults and children are watching the activity. Lake Tyers Victoriawaterways, natural disasters, floods

Lake Tyers is usually isolated from the ocean by a sandbar, when flooding of the lake system occurs, it is necessaary to manually open the barBlack and white photograph of a group of people standing at the outlet of a trench which has been dug by hand to allow the flood waters of the lake to escape to the sea. Lake Tyers Victoriawaterways, natural disasters, floods

Lakes Entrance fishermen travelled to the Sale area to assist in the rescue of flood victims during 1930sSepia toned photograph of Lakes Entrance fishermen standing beside a boat on the tray of a small truck outside the Star Hotel Sale Victoriaships and shipping, floods, natural disasters

Also an enlarged copy of same photograph 05383.1 10 x 15 cmBlack and white photograph of Day Street showing ruins of burnt out shops after Black Saturday bush fires with four women looking at sight Omeo VictoriaOmeo after big fire 13 /1/ 1939fires, natural disasters

Also a second postcard with a different view of the ruins of Omeo shops Day St Omeo January 1939 05384.1 8.5 x 14 cmBlack and white postcard showing remains of Golden Age Hotel after Black Saturday Bush fires Omeo VictoriaFriday 13 January 1939 showing ruins of the firesbushfires, natural disasters, townships

Colour photograph taken during floods of part of Esplanade Lakes Entrance Victoriafloods, gippsland lakes, natural disasters

Colour photograph of Whelans truck being loaded with rock and gravel during flood response program in the Tambo Valley East Gippsland Victoriafloods, natural disasters