The F4E depicted was tasked to 'cold soak" Sidewinder and Sparrow missiles in the troposphere at 53,000 feetabove Darwin in a joint exercise for the RAAF and the United States Navy in 1972.The aircraft is being readied for flight by the aircrew and ground crew at RAAF Darwin.F4E at start up RAAF Darwin tarmac.Armed with Sidewinder and Sparrow missiles. Photograph taken from the aircraft nose showing raised cockpit canopies,groundcrew and aircrew readying the airrcraft for flight. Note air start is connected Aircraft Serial No. A69-217.f4e, raaf, missle, peace time, darwin, vietnam, noelryan

Photolithograph

A new chapter has opened between the United States and Vietnam, and Robert Schulzinger provides the roadmap in A time for Peace. Anyone interested in the factors that will be most critical for cooperation and issues likely to present obstacles and the factors affecting the relationship between former adversaries should read this marvelous and important book.united states - foreign relations - vietnam, vietnam - foreign relations - united states, vietnamese conflict, 1961-1975 -- veterans

From the estate of Jack Svendsen, a long time Moreland resident, dedicated volunteer and social activist. Donated by his family in keeping with his generous spirit. Administered through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Interfet Christmas card. Blue background with flag border. Map of East Timor with peace dove.“INTERFET -International Force East Timor Peace” Postmarked Melbourne City Mail Centre November 2000documents-cards, maps, interfet, east timor

Used for training purposes during and after Vietnam.Empty canister for a 105mm Howitzer blank shell used by the Royal Australian Artillery during the Vietnam conflict and during peace time after Vietnam for training purposes.C440 Cartridge 105mm blank M396 on side of canister. 10MM HOW, CONTAINER M34A1 and AXP 9 -73 on the lid and base.

Peace Time (1971) Navy CommodoreBlack Wool. Royal Australian Navy. Commodore Mess Jacket. Gold Lace Rank to both Lower Sleeves. Gold Buttons (8). Gold Thread Australia to both shoulders. Two Fob Pockets to Front. Black cotton lining. Pocket to left hand inside Australia to both shoulders. Inside left of jacket J.N.Crosthwaite. (John Nevil) C.G.C.F. Which is Commonwealth Clothing Factory. R.A.N. Which is. Royal Australian navy. Made in australia. Gold Circular Rosette 4.5cm dia. Width of Gold Laceing. 4.5cm. Two Jacket buttons Link with metal link. Black cotton lining in side. Lable to Collar C.G.C.F.uniform, royal australian navy, commodore

Shoulder & arm epaulet, cotton, green, sewn on are 3 patches. .1) Australian flag black edging. 2.) Curved INTERFET white on green, black edge. .3) Round in yellow, blue, white & green peace symbol. Epaulet has a valcro patch for fitting around the arm & a piece to fit over a shoulder uniform epaulet.“International Force East Timor - Peace”uniform - army badges, interfet

Black front cover. Photograph of flames on the lower right hand corner of the front cover. Back cover has the blurb about the book.non-fictionHow the media covered Australia's worst peace-time disaster and the survivors' storiesblack saturday, media coverage, survivors, bushfire

Interfet BrassardAustralian Badge. Interfet Badge. International Force East Timor Peace

The Album was compiled by Nancy McHaffie late 1990's, with the assistance of Edith Jeffery's, with her book "Garden of Memories" and extensive knowledge of Phillip Island. The Cemetery lies back from the road and is surrounded by Manna Gums, rare Peppermint Gums, Blackwoods and other native trees. In all 25 acres of land were set aside as Crown Land in the land settlement of 1868. There are 6.2 acres of wetlands near the cemetery entrance.Lt. Commander M Batterham OBE RANVR was born in 1906 and later attended Geelong Grammar School. First attempt to join RAN was unsuccessful, due to health reasons. In 1942 he joined the Naval Volunteer Reserve. This was the beginning of a naval career which extended to peace-time in Canberra. He was awarded the OBE in 1952 for courage and devotion to duty. Maurice was laid to rest in the lawn section of the cenetery, August 1996 aged 90 years old.phillip island cemetery, nancy mchaffie, edith jeffrey

INTERFET (International Force East Timor) brassard worn by all service personnel from all participating nations in Timor between October 1999 and February 2000, prior to the United Nations resuming control. INTERFET was commanded by an Australian, Major General Peter Cosgrove and approximately 7000 Australian service personnel were deployed. The International Force East Timor (INTERFET) was a multinational non-United Nations peacemaking taskforce, organised and led by Australia in accordance with United Nations resolutions to address the humanitarian and security crisis that took place in East Timor from 1999–2000 until the arrival of UN peacekeepers. Dark green army brassard with three patches.Australian flag patch, Interfet patch, International Force East Timor Peace patch.brassard, arm band

This field First Aid kit is a mixture of items, some prepared for use in wartime, including World War One and some for use in peace time emergencies. The calico bag, produced by the Red Cross in Kalgoorlie, W.A., has been used by the State Emergency Service and at a later date by a scout group. The name, ‘S. Dempster’ is on the striped calico bag. Samuel Dempster was born in Ireland and was living at Panmure when he enlisted. He was attached to the 6 Ambulance training. He served from 1942-46 This is a calico shoulder bag with the shoulder strap adjustable with the use of metal clips. The bag is frayed and rusted and contains 14 items:-eight flat bandages, five safety pins, six small rolled gauze bandages, three navy blue packages of white absorbent gauze, one rolled package bandage,, rubber hose (broken), two small and one large field dressings, two shell dressings, Armed Forces shell dressing (Commonwealth of Australia), dark blue absorbent lint (yellow label), absorbent cotton wool (navy blue wrapper with red label), striped canvas bag, bottle of aqueous solution Acriflavine, two rolled bandages. ‘S.Dempster VX74418’ ‘Red Cross Society Kalgoorlie West Australia’ s. dempster, world war 2, samuel dempster, first aid kit wwii, warrnambool

Percival Rueben Carne No 775 enlisted in the 7th Batt AIF on 18.4.18 age 28 years 6 months. Embark for Eygpt 19.10.14, embark for Gallipoli 5.4.15, promoted to L/Cpl 30.4.15, promoted to Sgt 14.5.15, hospital 16.7.15 with Shock and Ear trouble. Embark for France 26.3.16, WIA 23/26.7.16 GSW to right arm, Appointed 2nd Lieut 15.5.15, hospital 27.1.19 with Influenza, embark for Australia 9.8.19, appointment in the AIF terminated 7.12.19. He served in the peace time army for many years after the War. .1 Kodak No 3 Special camera. Front has small copper badge. .2 Brown leather case with strap and metal clasp..1 On copper badge "F Honeychurch Bendigo". .2 Stamped on case lid "PR Carne 775 D Coy 7 Btn AIF". Inside of case has handwritten exposure instructions and "Weldon 5 Spring Gully Rd Bendigo".photography-cameras, camera accessories, trades-leatherworking

The Service Ribbons relate to Benjamin Thomas Roy Chadd 1st and 2nd AIF. (Born Richmond, enlisted South Melbourne) on 27.1.1916 No 10594 in Div Signal Company 3 age 20 years. Embarked for overseas 27.5.1916. As a driver in Signals he was WIA on 4.6.1918 GSW to right thigh. Discharged from the AIF on 14.6.1919. At some point he enlisted in the Peace time Army and was promoted to Lieut 3rd Div Signals on 1.7.1921, promoted Major 19.2.1929, to Command 2nd Div Sigs 9.9.1936, 3rd Div Sigs 5.5.1939 then to 7th Div Sigs as Lt Col and transfers to the AIF as VX20311, serves in the Middle East, Syria and Pacific. Discharged from the Army on 9.1.1946 with the rank of Colonel. Refer 2034P.Service Ribbons set WWI & WWII mounted on green cardboard backing re BTR CHADD Top row: 1. War Medal 1914-18. 2. Victory Medal 1914 - 19 3. 1939-45 Star 4. Africa Star Bottom Row: 1. Pacific Star 2. War Medal 1939-45 with oak leaf clasp 'MID' 3. Australian Service Medal 1939 - 45 4. Efficiency Decorationmanchester-trimmings, military history

Badge top - Red 17 surmounted by blue bear over the word INTERFET. Below - the words 'International Force East Timor/ Peace', surrounding - map of East Timor with dove of peace superimposed and below are the words '17 Construction Squadron' mounted on wooden plaque.Metal badge has the words 'Presented to Lilydale RSL/ by Sapper Megan White/ 2001

Army Headquarters Survey Regiment, Bendigo. Public Inspection at 'Fortuna', 10 May 1964. Donation 2/-. Includes photos of the Entrance Hall, Music Room and Villa. 3 army photos. In 1942 the mansion was occupied by the Australian Survey Corps and 'Fortuna' became the site of the base map production plant of the Australian Army for the remainder of the war years. During this period approximately sixteen million maps of Australian Territories and theatres of operation in the South West Pacific Area, were produced for use by the Allied Services. This function was continued as a peace time role in the post war years, and in 1951 ''Fortuna'' was purchased by the Commonwealth Government. As the largest unit of the Royal Australian Survey Corps, AHQ Survey Regiment carries out mapping in all parts of the Commonwealth and Territories including Papua and New Guinea. The Regiment is not only capable of doing its own field surveys but is responsible for the drawing and printing of map compilations from Royal Australian Survey Corps units in all States. . . . Includes map of grounds.buildings, residential, fortuna villa, army headquarters survey regiment, bendigo. public inspection at 'fortuna', 1964. photos of the entrance hall, music room and villa. mansion was occupied by australian survey corps and 'fortuna' site of the base map production plant australian army war. sixteen million maps australian territories and theatres of operation in the south west pacific area, were produced for use by the allied services. 1951 ''fortuna'' was purchased by the commonwealth government. royal australian survey corps, ahq survey regiment mapping commonwealth and territories including papua and new guinea. royal australian survey corps units in all states. map of grounds

Red and blue horizontal stripes. The words Interfet - ttop centre. No 17 LHS October 1999 - March 2000 RHS. Historical information - Double circle, in centre is a map of East Timor with floral emblem, surrounded by the words 'International Force East Timor, Peace at base of circle.

Doctor HAROLD ROBERT CATFORD was the first to be made a Life Member of the Bendigo RSL Sub Branch. The certificate was signed on the 8th Day of May 1947. He was first elected to Committee of the Bendigo Branch in 1918 and retired after 29 years at the AGM 1947 serving the whole time as Vice President. Doctor Harold Robert Catford enlisted as a Captain on 23.6.15 age 41 years and attached to HQ 29th Batt AIF. Embarked for overseas 10.11.15, transfer to 8th Field Ambulance 6.10.16. At various times he was attached to 5th Div Ammunition Column and 2nd A.C.C. Station, promoted to Major 24.8.17. He returned to Australia on 26.9.17 for personal reasons and his appointment in the AIF was terminated on 11.12.17. from 1.1.18 he was RMO to several military units including the 38th Batt in Peace time. Promoted to Lt Col on 19.4.23, placed on the AAMC reserve list 30.1.30 and then the retired list 30.1.1934. Life membership certificate of the Bendigo RSL awarded to Dr HR Catford. Certificate is set in a yellowish cardboard frame inside a silver wooden frame. The certificate is in colour with a red seal and signatures of Federal President and Secretary of the RSSILA. A set of WWI ribbons has been placed in the frame.brsl, smirsl, life membership

Cap, dark green & brown colour, cotton & suede fabric, machine embroidered round badge on front, International Force East Timor / Peace in black print on yellow background. White dove over green island shape with blue coloured background in centre. White embroidered writing on back of cap: Interfet.Printed label inside crown: "Style: 4138 100% Cotton Suede one Size Fits All\hand Wash In luke warm water only. Made in China"uniforms - military - army, costume-male, headwear, east timor, passchendaele barracks trust

the Akuna started life as a 210ft moto yacht 'Komet', built in 1911 for the German Administraror of New Guinea. When wa started in 1914 the German Navy took it over as an armed patrol boat, but plans were thwarted when she and her 57 crew were captured by a detachment of the Australian Navy and AMEF. Sailed to Sydney as a prize, she was commissioned a monthe later as HMAS Una , She became the first Australian Aircraft carrier when she took a Marrice Farman sea plane , and a BE 2A land plane, along with pilots to New Guinea in Nov. 1914. During and after the war her duty was Patrol and general Purpose vessel in Ner Guinea waters, still listed as a RAN ship in May 1920, decommissioned in 1925. January 1925 as the Akuna she was sold to Port Phillip Pilot Service in Melbourne. In 1953 she was sold for scrap, ending over 40 yrs of reliable service in war and peace time. Sepia photograph of port Phillip pilot vessel 'Akuna'ships and shipping

Note with Stick. Kairivu New Guinea This carved stick is Kunja cane of New Guinea. When the war ended my company was in Kairivu, the last outpost in the world to get official notification of the Peace. During the time of waiting for the word from Wewak, for something to do, Dagwood Williamson with the aid of a pen-knife and a nail file carved the names of the places we had been and the name of our Stretcher Bearer Unit - 2/7 Battalion. Next to the Doctor at Regimental Aide Post [R.A. P.]. I was Sgt. in Charge of Stretcher Bearers and when Dagwood Williamson asked me to accept the cane for safe keeping I was pleased to do so. Now most of the boys have gone, so now over to you to look after it, it is the only one in the -----WORLD. Stan Hair Red Cliffs. March 1999The carved stick is made from Kunja Cane of New Guinea. It was hand carved with the names and places the 2/7th Battalion Stretcher bearer unit. Carved by Dagwood Williamson, with the aid of a Penknife and a nail file.Highly decorated and has the names Aitape, Balif, Banyak, Maprik, Yamil, Kiarivu, Wewak, New Guinea, 1944-1945, 2/7th Btn, 6 Div, As a list. Stretcher bearers, Lofty, Stan, Norm, Bob, Jacko, Dagwood, Aussie, Mick, Lyle, Sam, Reg, Ocker, Hulla, Luppy, Stewy, Smithy, Harvey, Graham, Don, Dave, Mac x, Farmer, Vince, Farnell, Lightning.

Field Marshal Viscount Kitchener of Great Britain was invited by Prime Minister Deakin in 1909 to visit Australia and advise on the best way to provide Australia with a land defence. Kitchener’s report echoed the bill, introduced to Parliament in 1909 and supported by the Opposition Labor Party at its 1908 conference, to introduce compulsory military training in peace time (referred to as universal training). On 1 January 1911, the Commonwealth Defence Act 1911 (Cth) was passed as law and all males aged 12 to 26 were required to receive military training. Men were divided according to age, with junior cadets comprising boys 12-14 years of age, senior cadets comprising boys 14-18, and young men aged 18-26 assigned to the home militia defence. The support of schools was vital to the success of the scheme, since the system of cadet training began in the primary schools, with physical training prescribed by military authorities. Junior cadet training was entirely in the hands of school teachers, who had first been trained by military officers. This early training was less military in nature than focused on physical drill and sport. It also acted to inculcate boys with the notions of loyalty to country and empire. At this age, uniforms were not worn, although there were schools with pre-existing uniformed cadet units, who continued to do so. Senior Cadets were organised by Training Areas, administered by Area Officers. If a school had at least 60 senior cadets, they could form their own units. Unlike their junior counterparts, Senior Cadets were issued uniforms, a rifle, and learned the foundations necessary for service in any arm of the defence forces. Boys and men could be exempted from compulsory training if they lived more than five miles from the nearest training site, or were passed medically unfit. Those who failed to register for training were punished with fines or jail sentences, and the severity of this punishment generated some of the strongest opposition to the scheme. While institutions such as the political parties and most churches generally supported universal training, some in the broader labour movement were less enthusiastic, as evidenced in the Daily Herald newspaper’s editorials and letters. Universal military training persisted after the conclusion of World War 1, with the Junior Cadet scheme the first to go, in 1922. Senior cadets and service with the militia was suspended in November 1929. (http://guides.slsa.sa.gov.au/content.php?pid=575383&sid=4788359, accessed 29/10/2015) According to Neil Leckie, Manager of the Ballarat Ranger Military Museum: * Originally 12 – 14 year olds went to Junior Cadets attached to their school. * From age 14 – 17 they were Senior Cadets attached to the local militia unit. * After 1 July of the year a Cadet turned 18, the Cadet left the Senior Cadets and became a member of the Citizen Military Force. * In October 1918 the AIF, Militia and Cadets were renamed to give some connection to the AIF battalion raised in the area. Ballarat saw: 8th Australian Infantry Regiment comprising: * 8th Battalion AIF renamed 1st Battalion 8th Australian Infantry Regiment * 70th Infantry Militia renamed 2nd Battalion 8th Australian Infantry Regiment * 70th Infantry Cadets renamed 3rd B, 8th Australian Infantry. 39th Australian Infantry Regiment comprising: * 39th Battalion AIF renamed 1st Battalion 39th Australian Regiment * 71st Infantry Militia renamed 2nd Bn, 39th Australian Infantry Regiment * 71st Infantry Cadets renamed 3rd Bn, 39th Australian Infantry Regiment Prior to the reorganisation in 1918 the 18th Brigade was the 70th, 71st and 73rd Infantry. It is thought that the 18th Brigade Cadet units in 1920 were those that came from the old: * 69th Infantry (Geelong/Queenscliff) * 70th Infantry (Ballarat/Colac) * 71st Infantry (Ballarat West) * 72nd Infantry Warrnambool) * 73rd Infantry (NW Vic) The next name change came in 1921!Mounted sepia photograph of 21 young males. They are the Ballarat School of Mines Cadets on a training camp at Lake Learmonth. Back row left to right: Harold Wakeling; ? ; T. Wasley; H. Witter; H.V. Maddison (staff); Lieutenant S.J. Proctor, Joe ? ; ? ; B.C. Burrows. Centre left to right: Howard Beanland; ? ; F.N. Gibbs; H. Siemering; P. Riley; ? : E. Adamthwaite. Front row left to right: Albert E. Williams; Francis Davis (RAAF Dec.); A. Miller; W. Shattock; T. Rees From the Ballarat School of Mines Magazine, 1916 "Our Competition Team, 1916 At a parade, held on the 25th August competition teams were called from from the three colleges - Ballarat College, St Patrick's College, and the School of Mines. In each case, a large muster was obtained, twenty-nine volunteering fro the School of Mines. On account of the number in a team being limited to 21, some had to be weeded out. The team decided to have a camp at Learmonth in the vacation for the benefit of training for the coming competitions. The tents, within our baggage, were brought to the Junior Technical School at 10 a.m. on Monday, 11 September. Everything was carted to the station on a lorry, which was very kindly lent by Mr C. Burrow. ... Arriving at our camp, which was in the Park, we first raised the tents. This was done in record time. Three large tents, A.B.C., were pitched one behind the other. We also pitched a smaller one to act as a provisions tent. The provisions supplied by each cadet were placed in this tent. Dinner was ready by 3.30, and was prepared by the three senior non-coms., who also acted as orderlies. Things went alright Monday night, the two senior non-coms. acting as sentries for the first two hours. On Tuesday morning Reville sounded at 7. There was no need for it, however, as nearly all the cadets were up before daylight, owing to their beds being too hard. After physical exercises were gone through we had breakfast. We then had rifle exercises until Messrs A.W. Steane and F.N. King arrived. The former put the team through the table of physical exercises set down for competition work, many valuable points being obtained. The visitors remained for dinner, afterwards returning to Ballarat. Wednesday was uneventful, until the soldiers arrived at about 11 a.m., stopping at the park for lunch. As we handed over the coppers, etc., to them, our lunch was delayed. Two more visitors arrived after lunch, and after taking a few photos returned home. That night we had a "Sing-a-long" in C Tent until "Lights out" sounded at 9.30. After physical exercises ad breakfast on Thursday, we went for a six mile route march round the lake, doing skirmishing on the way. In the afternoon we practised rifle exercises and the march past. A concert was arranged for that night, the chief singers being cadets H. Siemering and W. Shattock. Supper was served at the end of the entertainment. On Friday, Reveille sounded at 6.30 instead of 7, and, as usual, we had physical exercises before breakfast, after which the team went through skirmishing at the reserve. In the afternoon, section drill and the march past were practised. Friday night, being our last night in camp, leave was granted until 10 p.m., "lights out" sounding at 11. Reveille sounded on Saturday at 4.30, the reason being that all kits, tents, etc., had to be packed away ready to catch the 8.15 train to Balalrat. At 7.30 we were all ready to leave for the station. We had a very enjoyable time in the train, each cadet having a chip in at the patriotic songs. On arriving at Ballarat, we found the lorry awaiting us. The luggage was carted to the Junior Technical School, the team following. The team were here dismissed, everyone feeling that he had had a very good time. F.G. Davis"Written in ink on front 'cadet camp at Lake Learmonth about 1916. Training for South Street Competitions. ballarat school of mines, cadets, ballarat school of mines cadets, lake learmonth, world war one, boomerang, camp, cadet camp, h.g. wakeling, harold wakeling, f.g. davis, albert w. steane, f.n. king, h. siermering, w. shattock, francis davis, harold wakeling, t. wasley, h. witter, h.v. maddison, s.j. proctor, b.c. burrows, howard beanland, f.n. gibbs, h. siemering, p. riley, e. adamthwaite, albert e. williams; francis davis, a. miller, w. shattock, t. rees, photography, foto, boxing gloves

Media Release 29 January 2016 Advocate of Racism to burn at Eureka Dawn A cardboard effigy of Senator Pauline Hanson, will burn at the Ballarat Eureka Stockade Memorial next Eureka Dawn 3 December. For eight years now effigy burning has become an integral and flamboyant part of the annual 3 December Eureka remembrance, part of the Reclaim the Radical Spirit of the Eureka Rebellion program organised by Dr Joe Toscano, medical practitioner, broadcaster on Melbourne community radio 3CR and Australia's best known anarchist. Colour photographs of the burning of a cardboard effigy of Pauline Hanson at dawn on Eureka Day, 03 December 2016. Pauline Hanson was chosen as the effigy to be burnt by the Anarchist Media Alliance at Eureka Dawn because she was an advocate of racism. eureka stockade, anniversary, joe toscano, reclaim the radical spirit of the eureka rebellion, graeme dunstam, pauline hanson, effigy burning, pauline hanson effigy

THE WEEK REVIEWED (Article; Bush Fires: A pictorial survey of Victoria's most tragic week, January 8-15, 1939. Published in aid of the Bush Fire Relief Fund by the Sun News-Pictorial in co-operation with its newsagents, pp2-3) THE fiercest bush fires Australia has known since its discovery are quiescent at the moment, and Victoria, in the comparative coolness of the change which came with rain on Sunday night, has begun·to count its losses. In the fiery eight days, from Sunday to Sunday, at least sixty-six men, women and children have lost their lives in forest fires, or have succumbed to burns and shock; many others have died from heat; and several serious cases of burns are being treated in hospitals. Two babies in Narrandera district have died, and ten others are in hospital, because of milk soured by the record temperatures of those eight days. Forest damage totals at least a million pounds, and incalculable damage has been done to the seedlings which were to have been the forests of the future. Water conservation will be seriously affected by the silting-up of reservoirs and streams from which protective timber has been taken by the all-engulfing flames. More than a thousand houses have been destroyed, and these, with 40 mills, and schools, post-offices, churches, and other buildings, represent a loss of at least half a million. At least 1500 are homeless. For their aid, money raised in appeals has now passed the £50,000 mark, and the biggest relief organisation ever set up in peace time has swung into operation. The First Hint Victoria's first hint of what was to come appeared on Sunday, January 8, when most parts of the State awoke to find a blistering day awaiting. At 12.20 p.m., when the thermometer reached its highest for the day, 109.6 degrees, the first fire victims were at that moment going to their death on a bush track five feet wide off the main road to Narbethong. They were the forestry officers Charles Isaac Demby and John Hartley Barling, who went to warn Demby of his danger when he parted from his companions, and was himself surrounded by the treacherous fire. It was not until 8 o'clock next morning that the tragic news was flashed throughout the State. Searchers found the two charred bodies close together, one seeking protection in the nook of two logs. Barling's watch had stopped at 1.20. In the meantime, tragedy was spreading its cloak. By Monday, big fires were raging at Toolangi, Erica, Yallourn, Monbulk, Frankston, Dromana, Drouin South, Glenburn, and Blackwood, with smaller outbreaks at many other centres. In the ensuing week, while women and children were evacuated as fast as the flames would permit, Erica-scene of the 1926 fire disaster-thrice escaped doom by a change of wind. Indeed, those who have been in the fire country these past days say that the numbers of times a change of wind has saved towns from destruction is amazing. In the towns they speak of miracles. Monday's Miracles The escapes from Monett's Mill at Erica and from the Hardwood Company's Mill at Murrindindi, near where Demby and Barling went to their death, were Monday's miracles. Twenty came out alive from each mill. At the first a 60ft. dugout provided an oven-like refuge; at the second, 12 women and children survived in the smoke-filled gloom of a three-roomed cottage while their eight men, their clothes sometimes afire, poured water on the wooden walls. Three houses out of ten remained when the fire had passed. Record Temperatures Sunday had been the hottest Melbourne day for 33 years; Monday dropped to a 76.1 degree maximum; but Tuesday dawned hotter than ever, the mercury reaching 112.5. By now rumor was racing ahead of fact; whole towns were being reported lost; the alarm was raised for scores of missing persons. But fact soon overtook rumor, and within a few days the staggering toll began to mount to a figure beyond the wildest imaginings of the panic-stricken. Six died from heat on this torrid Tuesday, and the fires spread in a wide swathe from south-west to north-east across the State. Fish died in shallow streams. A curtain of smoke hid the sky from all Victoria, and hung far out to sea. It alarmed passengers on ships. On the Ormonde, on the voyage to Sydney from Burnie, women ran on deck, believing fire had broken out in the hold. Days later the smoke reached New Zealand. In Melbourne thousands of fire-volunteers were leaving in cars: vans, motor-buses-anything reliable on wheels-to aid the country in its grim fight. In the fires at Rubicon and. Narbethong, seventeen were facing death this day. But not till Wednesday, when Melbourne breathed again in a cool change, while the country still sweltered in temperatures up to 117 degrees, did the news come through the tree blocked roads. A woman and her little daughter, trapped on the road, were among those who died. Their bodies, and those of menfolk with them, were found strewn out at intervals along the road, where the furnace of the surrounding fire had dropped them in their tracks as they ran. Twelve died at a Rubicon mill, five on the road at Narbethong. At Alexandra, not far distant, a baby was born while the fires raged, and stretcher-bearers brought in the injured. On Thursday the State Government voted £5000 for the relief of fire victims. The Governor (Lord Huntingfield) and the Lord Mayor (Cr. Coles) visited some of the stricken areas, and dipped into their pockets personally. Later, the City Council, too, voted £5000. Friday, The 13th Friday, the Thirteenth, justified its evil name. A blistering northerly came early in the morning, presaging destruction, and forcing the mercury to a new record of 114 degrees. Racing fires killed at least ten in those terrible 12 hours. Four children were engulfed in the furnace at Colac. Panic drove them, uncontrollable, into the smoke-filled road when the fire raced down behind their home. They choked to death. In other parts fires were joining to make fronts of scores of miles. Kinglake was being menaced on two fronts, £60,000 worth of timber was going up in smoke in Ballarat district. Warburton was surrounded. Residents at Lorne, favoured resort, were being driven to the sea-front by a fire which destroyed at least 20 homes. Healewille. with flames visible from the town at one stage, was in a trough between two fires which burned four guest-houses, seven homes and left its surrounding beauty-spots wastes of bowed-over, blackened tree-fern fronds; with its famous Sanctuary, however, intact. Most of Omeo was destroyed this black day: Noojee. while 200 residents crouched in the river, was being reduced to a waste of buckled iron and smoking timber; Erica was once again saved by a change of wind. Beneath a pall of smoke, the Rubicon victims were buried at Alexandra. Friday night and the early hours of Saturday saw the streets of beleagured towns strewn with exhausted fire-fighters. Their flails beside them, ready for the next call, they lay where exhaustion overtook them-on footpaths, beside lamp-posts, in gutters, in cars, under trucks. Saturday's dawn brought clear skies and lower temperatures in many parts, and from the burnt-out areas came a great rush of tragic reports. The death-roll rushed past the fifty mark with incredible speed. Some had been trapped on roads, others at mills; some, after burying their treasures, had clung too long to the places they had made their homes for many years. Four men lost their lives because one went back for his dog. By Sunday, when the first of the saving rain came, nearly another score of names had been added to the list.Newspaper magazine, 48 pages (incl. covers). Fully digitised and searchable PDFPublished in aid of the Bush Fire Relief Fund by the Sun News-Pictorial in co-operation with its newsagents.bushfires, 1939 bushfires, black friday, warrandyte