Showing 27 items
matching rubber boot
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Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Footwear - Rubber Boot, 1900-1908
... Rubber Boot...rubber boot...Rubber boot, left foot, Boot is ankle height and adult size... the deck in stormy conditions. This rubber boot is significant ...The Falls of Halladale was an iron-hulled, four-masted barque, used as a bulk carrier of general cargo. She left New York in August 1908 bound for Melbourne and Sydney. In her hold was general cargo consisting of roof tiles, barbed wire, stoves, oil, and benzene as well as many other manufactured items. After three months at sea and close to her destination, a navigational error caused the Falls of Halladale to be wrecked on a reef off the Peterborough headland on the 15th of November, 1908. The captain and 29 crew members survived, but her cargo was largely lost, despite two salvage attempts in 1908-09 and 1910. The Court of Marine Inquiry in Melbourne ruled that the foundering of the ship was entirely due to Captain David Wood Thomson's navigational error, not too technical failure of the Clyde-built ship. The Falls of Halladale was built in1886 by Russell & Co., at Greenock shipyards on the River Clyde, Scotland for Wright, Breakenridge & Co of Glasgow. She was one of several designs of the Falls Line of ships named after waterfalls in Scotland. The company had been founded between 1870- 1873 as a partnership between Joseph Russell, Anderson Rodger, and William Todd Lithgow. During the period 1882-92 Russell & Co. standardised designs, which sped up their building process so much that they were able to build 271 ships during that time. The Falls of Halladale had a sturdy construction built to carry maximum cargo and was able to maintain full sail in heavy gales, one of the last of the 'windjammers' that sailed the Trade Route. She and her sister ship, the Falls of Garry, were the first ships in the world to include fore and aft lifting bridges. Previous to this, heavily loaded vessels could have heavy seas break along the full length of the deck, causing serious injury or even death to those on deck. The new raised catwalk-type decking allowed the crew to move above the deck in stormy conditions. This rubber boot is significant for being the only rubber boot in our collection. It is remarkable that it has survived almost seventy years underwater. The Falls of Halladale shipwreck is listed on the Victorian Heritage (No. S255). She was one of the last ships to sail the Trade Routes from Europe and the Americas. Also of significance is that the vessel was one of the first ships to have fore and aft lifting bridges as a significant safety feature still in use on modern vessels today. The subject model is an example of an International Cargo Ship used during the 19th and early 20th centuries to transport goods around the world and represents aspects of Victoria’s shipping industry. Rubber boot, left foot, Boot is ankle height and adult size. The heel appears to be solid rubber and the inner sole resembles leather. The rubber has come away from the outer boot in places, revealing a fabric base. Recovered from the Falls of Halladale. flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, russell & co., rubber boot, protective footwear, shipwreck artefact -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Functional object - Material sample, rubber boot for a rail, 2002
... rubber boot for a rail...Material sample - rubber boot and associated notes: 1... Engineering tram 106 Material sample - rubber boot and associated ...Material sample - rubber boot and associated notes: 1 - rubber extruded section that was secured around the base and sides of the rail and held in position with metal clips. Made for 41 kg/m tramway rail. 2 -Note printed on A4 paper about the section, its use, where and who - John Holland 2002, between Union Road and Box Hill, enables some track resilience and electrical isolation. 3 - Envelope addressed to Keith Kings from Ken Hall of Preston Workshops with a hand written note about the product and its use. Received August 2003trams, tramways, trackwork, box hill, track construction, rails, civil engineering, tram 106 -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Document - Report, Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board (MMTB), "Information - Resilient CSS (Concrete) Track", Dec. 1962
... for this. See item 4665 for a sample of rubber boot used in the Box Hill... for a sample of rubber boot used in the Box Hill extension. Yields ...Report - titled "Information - Resilient CSS (Concrete) Track" - prepared by the MMTB Engineering Testing Branch Dec. 1962. Report No. I 5/1/146. The report looks at the use of mass concrete where the rail is fully embedded and the noise issues compared with track fitted with a rubber-fluted rail pad. Details the tests undertaken and the results. Recommends a 100m test section be constructed and provides an estimate for this. See item 4665 for a sample of rubber boot used in the Box Hill extension.Yields information about an investigation into tram track noise issues.Report - 53 carbon copy pages with photographs clipped within manila card covers.tramways, mmtb, tram tracks, concrete, noise, rails, civil engineering -
Bendigo Military Museum
Footwear - FLYING BOOTS, RAAF
... boots with leather sole and rubber heel. each boot is lined... leather calf length RAAF flying boots with leather sole and rubber ...Part of the Flight Lieutenant Ian A. 'Joe' Lyons MBE Collection. See catalogue No 5374P for his service record..1) and .2) Pair of black leather calf length RAAF flying boots with leather sole and rubber heel. each boot is lined with soft brown leather with remnants of sheep wool attached to the right boot (.1). A buckle and strap at the ankle and calf height secure each boot when wearing. .3) Handwritten card with details of the boots' provenance..3) Handwritten in black ink: ' FLYING BOOTS. Worn by Squadron Leader Ian A. 'Joe' Lyons. Worn all through the Pacific - North Africa - New Guinea - Borneo - All through Japanese Occupation, 1942 Middle East. Donated by Mr I. A. Lyons'uniform, footwear, flying boots, flight lieutenant ian a. lyons -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Footwear - Boots, Rossiters Ltd, 1908-1920
Rossi Boots started in 1910 when Arthur Edward Rossiter resigned from his position as a supervisor at the Adelaide Boot Company and started Rossiters Ltd in a small tin shed in his backyard. A larger factory was needed so the first of three stages of a factory was built. During the Second World War Rossi Boots was a major supplier to the military making hundreds of thousands of boots that saw service in various theatres including New Guinea. The war years saw the number of employees peak at around five hundred. As methods of manufacturing footwear changed as petroleum-based products such as glues, rubbers and plastics have replaced the traditional ones of leather, nails, and threads. More modern machinery was introduced to directly mould soles to the bottom of the boot. At the end of 1987, the company moved from Unley to Hilton this move allowed production to be carried out in a more modern, fit-for-purpose factory. Since then the company has continued to change; introducing computer-controlled machines for cutting, sewing, and attaching soles. These changes occurred whilst many of Rossi's competitors moved offshore. Whilst the introduction of these machines reduced the number of local staff, it has enabled Rossi Boots to continue to manufacture in Australia. In March 2019 Rossi Boots relocated the factory, warehouse, and headquarters from Hilton to Kilburn, South Australia. This move to a new, expansive location allows Rossi Boots to continue manufacturing in South Australia housing all operations under one roof. The items are significant as they show the beginnings of an important manufacturer and innovator that is still in the original founding family's ownership and is producing boots today with exports to many countries. Boots leather lace up brownNonewarrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village -
Bendigo Military Museum
Footwear - BOOTS - GP - ARMY, Department of Defence, Post 1960
Pair of black leather army boots - known as GP's - "General Purpose" with black cotton laces. Top inside boots - cotton label with Department of Defence, Size and Fitting information. Rubber sole with imprint of maker's label.Top inside boot - black print on cotton label "R/^/ SIZE/ FITTING/T/ B". HANDWRITTEN BLACK INK "551283". Rubber sole - imprint - maker's label "MADE IN AUSTRALIA/ 7-6".uniform, footwear, boots, army -
Bendigo Military Museum
Footwear - BOOTS - GP - ARMY, Department of Defence, Post 1960
Pair of black leather army boots - known as GP's - "General Purpose" with black cotton laces. Top inside boots - cotton label with Department of Defence Size and Fitting information. Rubber sole with imprint of maker's label.Top inside boot - black print on cotton label "R/^/ SIZE/ FITTING/ T/ R" handwritten faint blue ink "4". Rubber sole - imprint - maker's label "MADE IN AUSTRALIA/ 7-6".uniform, footwear, boots, army -
Bendigo Military Museum
Footwear - BOOTS - GP - ARMY, Department of Defence, Post 1960
"David R WATERSTON" Refer to Cat. No. 2410 for service details.Pair of black leather army boots - known as GP's - "General Purpose" with no laces. Top inside boots - cotton label with Department of Defence Size and Fitting information. Rubber sole with imprint of maker's label.Top inside boot - black print on cotton label "R/ SIZE/ ^ /FITT/ T/ B" handwritten black ink "WATERSTON". Rubber Sole - imprint - maker's label "HY-TEST"uniform, footwear, boots, army, david r waterston -
Bendigo Military Museum
Footwear - BOOTS - GP - ARMY, Department of Defence, Post 1960
Pair of black leather army boots - known as GP's - "General Purpose" with black cotton laces. Top inside boots - cotton label with Department of Defence Size and Fitting information. Rubber sole with imprint of maker's label.Top inside boot - black print on cotton label "COMFRT WEAR 13/8/ SIZE 6/6 FITTING/ R B" - handwritten in black ink "191/148". Rubber sole - imprint - maker's label “COMFORTWEAR/ WEST AUST/ BP VULVANISED RUBBER/ SOLE & HEEL". uniform, footwear, boots, army -
Bendigo Military Museum
Footwear - BOOTS - GP - ARMY, Department of Defence, Post 1960
Pair of black leather army boots - known as GP's - "General Purpose" with no laces. Top inside boots - cotton label with Department of Defence Size and Fitting information. Rubber sole with imprint of maker's label.Top inside boot - black print on cotton label - "COMFORTWEAR 11/84/ SIZE 12/6 FITTING/ R B" Rubber sole - imprint - maker's label "COMFORTWEAR/ WEST AUST/ BP VULCANISED RUBBER/ SOLE & HEEL"uniform, footwear, boots, army -
Bendigo Military Museum
Footwear - BOOTS - GP - ARMY, Department of Defence, Post 1960
Pair of black leather army boots - known as GP's - "General Purpose" with black cotton laces. Top inside boots - Ink stamp with Department of Defence Size and Fitting information. Rubber sole with imprint of maker's label.Top inside boot - black ink stamp - from left to right - "^ 5/5 B L04 RB T/8" Rubber sole - imprint - maker's label "D } MADE BY/ DUNLOP/ NITRILE SOLE/ 5/5"uniform, footwear, boots, army -
Kiewa Valley Historical Society
Ski Boots - Cross Country
Pair of black Garmont leather ski boots for cross country skiing with padded orange fabric lining at entry point. 6 metal hooks and 8 metal eyelets for lacing boots (no laces included). Thick rubber over leather sole- protruding toe lug. Leather upper shoe. Padded leather tongue attached to boot with a red and white leather Garmont name tag attached.Embossed brand name Garmont on outer sides. Size 37 inscribed in white paint on each heel. -
Bendigo Military Museum
Footwear - BOOTS, ARMY GP, Vulseal Footwear Pty Ltd, 1965 - 1970
These will have the steel plate moulded into the rubber soles.These are rubber soled leather uppers boots. They have black boot laces fitted, there are 12 eyelets on either flap. The soles have rubber grips with the word 'Seal' raised as part of the boot tread. They have a full length leather tongue which is attached to both L & R flaps.footwear, vietnam war -
Bendigo Military Museum
Uniform - BOOTS & HAT, 3) Frillneck Urban Turban, Post 2000
DALE HANNAFORD 8435318 Served Afghanistan 2011 Refer Cat No’s 2508, 2509.2 .1) Boot, high sided, left foot, leather, fawn colour, metal eyelets. Padded on the inside, rubber sole, cord lace. .2) Same as .1) above. .3) Hat, floppy with firm front peak, cotton, camouflaged desert pattern. Top of the hat flows down to the shoulder for all round protection. Has elastic headband & valcro strips on the sides..1) & .2) 280/100 [up arrow] MONDO POINTuniforms - army, costume-male footwear, uniforms - headwear, trades - bootmaking -
Frankston RSL Sub Branch
Boots, Jungle
... with a several tiny holes for draining water from inside the boot... with a several tiny holes for draining water from inside the boot ...Jungle boots, Vietnam era, used by U S troops and also acquired by Australian troops, prior to adoption of the US leather GP boots.A pair of jungle boots, as new, that were issued during the Vietnam conflict for U S troops, but also acquired and used by Australian troops. Constructed of leather and green canvas, and the instep of both boots has a pair of circular brass eyelets with a several tiny holes for draining water from inside the boot. They have black rubber soles on both boots . In the arch of the heel is the boot size of '(10W)' and the manufacturers stamping of '(C.I.C.)' which is believed to be associated with the principal manufacturer 'GENESCO'. Inside there is an implant for increased wearer comfort. (CIC) and (10W) on the sole near the arch. The tongue has an ink imprint; (10W) (GJ) (3 68) (SPIKE) (PROTECTIVE) -
Kiewa Valley Historical Society
Ski Boots - Cross Country, mid 1900's
These cross country ski boots are part of the pioneer ski recreational sport in the Victoria Alps. The mid 1900's saw the Victorian Alps begin to be used for recreational skiing, especially cross country. The majority of skiers at this point in time were either from the SEC Vic. Kiewa Hydro Scheme or from Melbourne. International skiers had better ski fields (ski lodges etc.) in Europe, the U.S.A. and Canada. With greater and better coverage of the Winter Olympics and some medal wins, skiing became more interesting and rewarding for city dwellers in Melbourne and Sydney.These ski boots are of great significance to the Kiewa Valley as it demonstrates that winter sports in the region have and still do attract not only skiers but also provide an employment (even though seasonal) avenue which "livens up" a small rural community and provides for a diversity of land usage which did not exist in the 1800's. These brown cross country ski boots, "Grief" brand have "cherry" inserts with cream laces, within the main boot. The boots have red and black laces and crossover tie flaps (to allow for maximum front foot entry. These boots do not have any ski clips to hold firm those restraints (quick release) on the skis (like "modern boots and skis). The heel section has the red Greif "W" pattern.At the underside of the rubber sole in freehand script "Cresta"snow skiing, ski boots, winter recreational sports. -
Warrnambool RSL Sub Branch
Boots Army - left boot, 1980's
These boots were used by the military in Australia during period when there were no active conflicts.Typical of boots worn by military personnel during the nineteen eighties.military boots black leather, front lacing with ten eyelets, mid calf length, rubber sole imprinted with ROSSI and 7/6 Rubber sole ROSSITERLTD FOOTWEAR Made in Australia. Black cotton laces.label. inside boot top. R251 with vertical arrow below (arrow indicates government ownership). On right 7/6, B69 below. On Rubber Sole, impressed lettering 'Rubber Sole ROSITER LTD FOOTWEAR made in Australia. 7,6 stamped on instep of solemilitary boots, army boots, footwear, military uniforms -
Warrnambool RSL Sub Branch
Boots Army - right boot, 1980's
These boots were used by the military in Australia during period when there were no active conflicts.Typical of boots worn by military personnel during the nineteen eighties.military boots black leather, front lacing with ten eyelets, mid calf length, rubber sole imprinted with ROSSI and 7/6 Rubber sole ROSSITERLTD FOOTWEAR Made in Australia, Black cotton laces. label. inside boot top. R251 with vertical arrow below (arrow indicates government ownership). On right 7/6, B69 below. On Rubber Sole, impressed lettering 'Rubber Sole ROSITER LTD FOOTWEAR made in Australia. 7,6 stamped on instep of solemilitary boots, army boots, footwear, military uniforms -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Footwear, Boots, 1962-1972
Black leather flying boots, rubber sole, size 6-7, laces attached.Made in Australia. Size label inside boot (Faded)161 reconnaissance flight, flying boots -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Footwear, Flying Leather Boots, 1962-1972
Tan colour leather flying boots Rubber sole, size 10 Laces attachedMade in Australia Label inside boot161 reconnaissance flight, flying boots -
Chiltern Athenaeum Trust
Black Patent Ceremonial Defence Force Boots, current era post 2000 issue
Associated with current Defence Force Uniform Issue for Ceremonial Uniform dress. Issued by the Australian Defence Force. Black Patent Leather boots, rubber heel and tread, lace ups and used with Ceremonial uniform dress. Inside the boot : 5/97 -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Financial record - Five Bendigo Business Dockets, 1892 - 1902, 31/01/2017
8545a Docket from Tuck & Co. Limited, Asbestos & India Rubber Manufacturers, 4566 Collins Street, Melbourne; Sept. 4th, 1889; Head Office: 116 Cannon Street, London. Purchased 3 Bags of Asb. Boiler ?? at a cost of £3/- by Messrs. Abbitt & Co. 8545b Docket from G. Wood, General Founder, Kensington Iron Foundry, Macauley Road, dated Dec. 2nd, 1896; due from Mr. J. H. Abbott, For 1 doz. combination parts& 1/2 doz. stands for parts at £1/14/00. 8545c Memorandum James Oppy, Boot and Shoemaker, Fitzroy Street, Kerang, dated Aug. 23rd, 1893. Apology and advice the amount owing will be forwarded on 1st of next month (Sept.). 8545d Docket for six items purchased by Messrs. J.H. Abbott, Bendigo for £63/16/00 from The Australian Explosives & Chemical Coy. Ltd on Aug. 5, 1902. Manufacturers and Importers of High Explosives and Detonators, 356 Little Collins Street, Melbourne 8545e Docket / quote from J. Kennon & Sons, Tanners, Curriers & Leather Merchants, 206 Bridge Road, Richmond. October 19th, 1888, quotation sent to Mr. J H Abbott, Leather Merchant, Sandhurst.bendigo businesses, j. kennon and sons, tuck and co, g. wood, james oppy, the australian and chemical coy -
Royal District Nursing Service (now known as Bolton Clarke)
Photograph - Digital image, 07.05.1937
This sepia digital image shows the Austin car which was donated to the Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) in !937 by the Rotary Club of Victoria. It was used by the Matron of the MDNS District Division to visit patients weekly. The photograph is taken outside the MDNS Headquarters at 39 Victoria Parade, Collingwood. The photograph appeared along with an article in The Age Friday May 7, 1937. The photograph appeared in the MDNS Annual Report of 1937. On page 8, mention is made of J.D Johnston Esq, President of the Rotary Club of Victoria, presenting the Austin vehicle to MDNS. Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) has had various modes of transport over the last 130 plus years. At first, from 1885 as Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS), their Trained nurses (Nurses) walked the streets and lane ways amid the slums of central Melbourne. As the Society expanded public transport was used, and bicycles were bought by the Society in 1903 and used in inner areas until 1945. During the Spanish flu epidemic, in 1919, MDNS appealed for assistance to procure Motor vehicles so the Nurses could visit an influx of cases. Through trusts, grants and donations four 'Ford T Model' cars were procured which enabled the Nurses to triple their visits. Through constant use the cars were in such a poor state two were sold in 1922 and the others later. In 1922-23 three Peugeot cars were purchased and a woman Chauffeur, 'Miss Sword', was employed who lived in the Home and was also in charge of the garage. MDNS was expanding and a Motor Auxiliary was formed in 1929 to take the Trained nurses (Sisters) to patients, and some Sisters used their own cars; even a motorcycle was used by one Sister in 1933. All these forms of transport were intermingled and in the early 1950s, and now as Melbourne District Nursing Service, seven Ford Prefect cars were bought followed by twelve Ford Anglia cars 1955. Having received Royal patronage; the now Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) had its own fleet of Holden vehicles by the mid 1960s and the Motor Auxiliary ceased operating in 1971 as by then all staff employed were required to have a driving licence. Seat-belts had been introduced to Victoria in 1959 and District fitted them to their cars from 1962, even though they did not become compulsory until 1970. The Holden vehicles were replaced with grey Holden Torana vehicles. After several years the fleet was changed to white Toyota Corolla vehicles. The Melways Directory of maps was introduced in 1966, which was a boon to the Sisters, though it was a few years before it went beyond Seville, so a large paper map was used by the Sisters visiting patients in the areas passed Seville. By 2009 there were 598 cars in the fleet and the Sisters travelled 9 million 200,000 kilometres – this is equivalent to 12 trips to the moon and back. In the foreground of this sepia photograph is a side-on view of a four door 1937 style small grey car with a nose shaped bonnet, parked on the road beside the kerb with the headlight facing to the right of the photograph.The bonnet joins onto a straight windscreen which adjoins a slightly curved hood running back along the car. This adjoins a back window which joins onto the sloping rear body of the car with a small protruding boot. Windows are seen above the body work of both facing doors and a smaller sloping window above the body work and rear wheel arch. On the drivers door is a Maltese cross and the words "Melbourne District" written above the Maltese cross and "Nursing Society" below it. In front of this door the body work forms a wheel arch and the headlight is attached between this body work and the bonnet. Rubber tyred wheels with solid hub caps are seen below each wheel arch. On the footpath, behind the bonnet of the car, four Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) Trained nurses (Sisters) are standing. They are wearing dark grey coats over their grey uniforms with white collars, and brimmed grey hats with a Maltese cross on the light coloured headband. The Sister on the right has her left hand gripping the handle on top of her oblong nursing case. A metal spiked fence is behind the Sisters, which runs to the left into one of the two square concrete columns which sit either side of a path. A hedge is behind the fence, and behind this part of a building with three arched windows can be seen. A white plaque is attached to the fence near one of the columns.mdns, melbourne district nursing society, rotary club of victoria, mdns transport, rdns, royal district nursing service, rdns transport -
Beechworth RSL Sub-Branch
Boots General Purpose (GP)
These boots had a metal plate inserted in sole to protect the feet of personnel wearing boot. This was after earlier boots without this protection did not protect the wearer from sharpened spikes eg bamboo set in pits or “punji” pits, during the Vietnam war. The laces were done up by knotting one end,threading from bottom hole across to opposite hole,up next hole on same side,across to opposite hole etc. This meant that only one loop per opposite holes was all exposed for a quick and easy cutting to release the boot in case of injury to wearer.These boots were typically worn on parade,training and in combat during the Vietnam war era and after.The LEFT boot solid black leather uppers with split leather tongue sewn to sides - making the boot semi water and insect proof.The sole is hard black rubber compound with 7 cleats on sole and 3 cleats on heel,all part of rubber sole. Woven black cotton laces. 30 mm leather reinforcing strip sewn on inside top of boot. 11 by 5mm metal holes per boot for laces. Sole is welded on. “Dunlop made in Australia” and “5/5” on sole in front of heel. Inscribed on top reinforced inside leather band is- “ B 22 R.B.T 1439 188” on one side and “ 5/6” on the other.boots, general purpose, g.p., vietnam war -
Beechworth RSL Sub-Branch
Boots General Purpose (GP)
These boots had a metal plate inserted in sole to protect the feet of personnel wearing boot. This was after earlier boots without this protection did not protect the wearer from sharpened spikes eg bamboo set in pits or “punji” pits, during the Vietnam war. The laces were done up by knotting one end,threading from bottom hole across to opposite hole,up next hole on same side,across to opposite hole etc. This meant that only one loop per opposite holes was all exposed for a quick and easy cutting to release the boot in case of injury to wearer.These boots were typically worn on parade,training and in combat during the Vietnam war era and after.The RIGHT boot solid black leather uppers with split leather tongue sewn to sides - making the boot semi water and insect proof.The sole is hard black rubber compound with 7 cleats on sole and 3 cleats on heel,all part of rubber sole. Woven black cotton laces. 30 mm leather reinforcing strip sewn on inside top of boot. 11 by 5mm metal holes per boot for laces. Sole is welded on. “Dunlop made in Australia” and “5/5” on sole in front of heel. Inscribed on top reinforced inside leather band is- “ B 22 R.B.T 1439 188” on one side and “ 5/6” on the other.boots, general purpose, g.p., vietnam war -
University of Melbourne, Burnley Campus Archives
Newspaper - Newspaper Cutting, The Argus Supplement, Types at Burnley and A Tight Fit, 1932
Two newspaper clippings with photos from "The Argus Supplement," February 13, 1932. (1) Shows eight female students with the caption: "Types at Burnley - A series of portrait studies of girl students at Burnley Horticultural College this week, when the new term began after the holidays." Portraits of female students at Burnley. Dorothy Baker/Barker 4th from left. (2) Two students by the pond, one tugging the boot of the second,with the caption: "A tight fit - Miss D. Barker, a student at Burnley Horticultural College, who has been wading in rubber boots among the water lilies, receives a helping hand from Miss Nancy Campbell in the removal of her waders."female students, burnley horticultural college, nancy campbell, doris baker (nee barker), the argus, l harris, recreation, students working outside -
Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
Uniform - Safety Boot (Yellow back), Oliver Stevens in Ballarat, circa 1982
These boots were manufactured by Oliver Stevens in Ballarat to the Forests Commission's own specification. Safety boots were a bit "hit and miss" back in 1981. As well as the steel toe caps these boots had a screwed, glued and stitched Sherpa-pattern rubber nitrile sole. The sole was oil resistant and didn't melt on hot coals. The yellow heels signified safety boots. There were two styles with different leather and staff were all personally fitted and given their choice of style. The only thing that has fundamentally changed over 40 years is there is much more choice and comfort in boots today. These boots proved to be the catalyst for boot manufacturers realising there was a market outside of the armed forces not being served. Ankle injuries along with elastic sided boots were virtually eliminated by these boots. The iconic Tasmanian company, Blundstone, had a work boot called "Forester" at the time. It had won an Australian Design Award and had a bonded Sherpa sole. Unfortunately, the soles tended to separate from the boot under field test conditions. Eventually they perfected the process Oliver Stevens' main issue was not being able to recruit enough workers to meet the increased demand. Info: Trevor Brown.First safety boots issued to Victorian forest firefightersYellow Back safety boots with leather laces. FCV marked on the heel fire fighting, bushfire, forests commission victoria (fcv), protective clothing