Showing 17 items
matching secret service - australia
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Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Time Life books et al, Special and secret, 1990
... Secret service - Australia...-and-the-dandenong-ranges Military art and science - Australia Secret service ...The operations of Australian clandestine units during the second world warIndex, bibliography, ill, p.168.non-fictionThe operations of Australian clandestine units during the second world warmilitary art and science - australia, secret service - australia -
Bendigo Military Museum
Document - DOCUMENTS WW2, Australian Army, 1939 - 1943
Items relate to Benjamin Thomas Roy Chadd No's 10594, VX20311, 1st and 2nd AIF. Refer Cat No 2039 for service history also 2034P.3 manilla folders each containing assorted miscellaneous documents from WWII. Most are from the 'Syrian Campaign' in 1941. They range from general through confidential to most secret and was in the effects of Lt. Col B.R. CHADD. .1) “Secret 1940” .2) “1941” .3) “1942-1943” Operational orders. Embark and dis-embark orders. Signal notes. Ciphers - Sit Reps Palestine/Syriadocuments-military, signals -
Federation University Historical Collection
Newspaper - Twenty page issue December 1941 No. 93, Societe Orientale de Publicite, The A.I.F. News Special Christmas Issue 1941, December 1941
The A.I.F.= The Australian Imperial Force and this newspaper was supplied free to the troops of the Australian Army Canteens Service. This issue is dated Saturday 22nd December 1941. It includes advertisments for businesses in Cairo and Alexandria; Egypt, Palestine and Syria. Page 2 includes a poem titled "This Holy Night" by Pte C.M. Walker; two sonnets by Rupert Brooke; a poem, "Waiting Dreams" by Pilot Officer J.A. Henderson RAAF and a poem by Lieut. David McNicoll AIF Abroad Air Mail - Palestine. Page 3 includes a message from General Sir Thomas Blamey, an article on the part women would increasingly play as a consequence of the emergency war policy; an advertisment for tobacco specially packed for overseas forces. Page 4 includes an article on Australian coastal cities being ready for raids. Page 5 includes an article about the Commonwealth of the Philippines and their defense which until 1946 lay with America. General D Macarthur was the Commander In Chief in the Philippines. Germany's "secret Weapon" legend. Page 6 includes "Dancing Dan's Christmas"; "Bluey and Curley" comic strip. Page 7 includes article "Rommel's Armoured Might Lies Strewn Over Libyan Sands" Page 8 includes an article: "All In Fun" - a revue - has begun a tour of Australian camps in Palestine and Syria. Page 9 includes articles "War Will Revolutionise Air Services In Australia"; a list - Greek Awards To AIF Officers and a cartoon by George Aria titled 'Jonah '. Pages 10&11 "Christmas 1941" - messages from prominent people: Mr Winston Churchill; The Govenor General (Lord Gorrie); The Prime Minister (Mr Curtin); Mininster for the Army (Mr Forde). Also photos of army operations and traditional family Christmas time. Page 12 &13 Articles regarding sport under the heading 'Australian Sporting Digest'. Page 14 A story - "The Gift of the Magi" - an O Henry Christmas Story. Also a greeting from Myer's of Melbourne and Adelaide to all Myer Men in the AIF Page 15 An article where General Blamey reassures Australia about its capability of defence. Page 16 A description of a battle by Australian sloop "Parramatta" with HMAS "Auckland" against enemy planes whilst they were escorting a merchant ship with a cargo of petrol during the Battle of Tobruk Page 17 & 18 Pages under the title 'ACK-I-FOOFS' (Articles submitted by soldiers: The real Rat of Tobruk - a rat trained by L/Cpl Jack Kneeshaw which he named "Goebbels"; poems and cartoons. Page 19 "Women of War" - photos of women at work filling in for men who have gone to war. Page 20 Xmas Greetings 1942-1942 - a 1942 Calendar signed by 14 members of the AIF, some with messages and including their Army Number. Twenty pages of news supplied free to the troops by the Australian Army Canteens Service.The last page is a calendar for 1942 with personal inscriptions and greetings of servicemen. Some inscriptions have I.D. Numbers ( VX35435 W. Johnston; QX20753 of Carmody ; VX40449 ; VX39637 N. Powell; VX32054 Blue Ernistson?; N?X23234 W.Cummins; VXthe a.i.f. news christmas edition 1941, australian imperial force, world war 2, australian army canteens service, general blamey, world war 2 - pacific war, world war 2 - phillipine islands, general d macarthur, emergency plans ww2 australia, secret weapons ww2, western desert ww2, australian imperial force - western desert ww2, civil aviation post ww2, air services australia, lord gowrie, governor general lord gowrie, prime minister john curtain, minister for the army - mr forde, cartoons 1941, women-in ww2, xmas greetings calendar 1941-1942, cairo 1941, palestine 1941, western desert 1941, advertisements 1941, middle east 1941 -
Australian Commando Association - Victoria
Book, Warrior Elite
Warrior Elite is a unique and compelling account of Australia's special forces and intelligence operations - ranging from the early special forces of World War II to the establishment and development of the SAS and Commando Regiments as the elite fighters of today, and from the Australian Security Intelligence Service to the Australian Signals Directorate and ASIO. It is an authoritative, gripping and thoroughly up-to-date account of both the history and current state of our special forces and intelligence bodies - and gives a unique glimpse into the warfare of the future. Our future. Robert Macklin has conducted dozens of exclusive interviews and uncovered incredible, daring and sometimes heartbreaking stories of the elite troops that guard our nation and engage in secret operations around the world. He has had significant cooperation from numerous sources within the special forces and the various intelligence agencies. Both thoroughly researched and colourfully written, Warrior Elite will attract the reader of action memoirs as well as those interested in broader military history and espionage. australian special forces, australian army, commandos, military history -
Australian Commando Association - Victoria
Book - Official History of Special Operations Australia- Volume 2 Operations
Popularly known today as Z Special Unit, or by the wartime cover names of Inter-Allied Services Department (ISD) and Services Reconnaissance Department (SRD), Special Operations Australia (SOA) was the Special Operations component of the US-led Allied Intelligence Bureau in the Pacific Theatre during the Second World War. From the secret files of Z Special Unit, and the second in a set of five volumes, Volume 2 - Operations describes almost two hundred separate "Z" Operations. Through the examination of this volume, the strategic role of the Special Operations - Australia organisation becomes apparent. Students of history will easily identify the ebb and flow of the Allied campaigns in the Pacific Theatre, with many of the operations of SOA being precursors to larger Allied offensives. Several serious blunders by SRD headquarters are also identified, one of which in particular had the capacity to compromise one of the greatest secrets of the Second World War and could have cost thousands of Allied lives...special operations australia, australian commandos, world war ii, special forces -
Australian Commando Association - Victoria
Book, The Official History of Special Operations Australia Vol. 3- Communications
Popularly known today as Z Special Unit, or by the wartime cover names of Inter-Allied Services Department (ISD) and Services Reconnaissance Department (SRD), Special Operations Australia (SOA) was the Special Operations component of the US-led Allied Intelligence Bureau in the Pacific Theatre during the Second World War. From the secret files of Z Special Unit, and the third in a set of five volumes, Volume 3 - Communications describes the communications links and equipment which were the lifeline for "Z" Operatives in the field. From "Z's" early days relying on Dutch military communications stations in Melbourne and Darwin to the establishment of dedicated "Z" communications stations in Darwin, Morotai and Labuan, Vol 3 provides the only comprehensive history of these sites ever committed to paper. Radio and Special Forces enthusiasts will be agog at the appendices in this volume, which not only include copies of the actual operating instructions and technical manuals for much of the specialist SOE communications hardware used by "Z" during the war, but also the once-top secret SOE ciphers and codes used by Z parties in the field. The Official History of Special Operations Australia, Volume 3 - Communications is a unique record of one of the most important aspects of Second World War Special Operations.australian special operations, special forces, world war ii -
Federation University Historical Collection
Object, Blue Light Outfit, c1914
The bluelight outfit was offered to members of the armed services in an attempt to prevent venereal disease. Around 60,000 Australian soldiers had contracted venereal disease by the end of the First World War. (http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/secret-wwi-history-of-australian-soldiers-with-venereal-disease-20141022-119wan.html, accessed 21 August 2017) Australia colloquial language defines a Blue Light clinic as a venereal disease clinic.A cardboard box with two tubes of ointment - an anti-Venereal Disease outfit supplied to Australian Armed Services Tube number one is filled with brown contents known as 'No. 1 ointment BROWN' and has a long, tapered opening, with black pastic lid. Tube number two is filled with a thick white ointment 'No. 2 ointment WHITE', with a normal opening and metal lid. The tubes contained 3 percent Argyrol Jelly for gonorrhea and 33% Calomel Ointment (Mercury-Chloride) for syphilis prophylaxis.Inside box: Directions for Use Before Connection 1. Rub head and shaft of Penis with half the tube of No. 2 Ointment, White. 2. Always wear a sheath After Connection 1. Pass water IMMEDIATELY 2. Wash thoroughly Penis and Scrotum with soap and water. 3. Inject the whole of the contents of the Tube of No. 1. Oitnment, Brown, into pipe and massage back 2 inches. 4. Rub remainder of tube No. 2 Ointment, White, on head and shaft of Penis and Scrotum 5. Hold urine some hours after treatment 6. Report at V.D. Prevention Depot (Blue Light Depot) as soon as possible. 7. Having read directions and understood them, destroy by tearing up or by burning.blue light outfit, veneral disease, vd, armed services, gonorrhea, syphilis, disease, medical -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - ALMA TRIO, WILSON HALL, 23 May, 1958
Alma Trio, Wilson Hall. Music Viva Society, 23 May, 1958. Third Subscription Concert under the sponsorship of Shell Chemical (Australia) Pty. Ltd.. Presenting The Alma Trio, Maurice Wilk-Violin, Gabor Rejto-Cello, Aldoph Baller-Piano. The Violin Holds A Secret. Why is the tone of an old violin superior to that of a new instrument? The question has produced a variety of answers but the most widely accepted view is that it lies in the . . . Musica Viva Society. Is registered as a limited liability company and is a non-profit making voluntary orgainsation working for the promotion of chamber music . . . The Alma Trio. Maurice Wilk-violin, Gabor Rejto-Cello, Aldoph Baller-piano. The trio came into being with at first no motive than the delight of three fine artists playing chamber, music together. During the summer of 1944, Jeno Lener, violinist and Gabor Rejto, 'cellist, both of the famous Lenor Quartet, were guests of Yehundi Menuhin at his home in the Santa Cruz mountains south of San Francisco. There they enjoyed many . . . Programme. Annotations. Ludwig van Beetoven (1770) . . . Joannes Brahms (1833-1897) . . . The Council of Musica Viva acknowledges with gratitude the assistance of the organizations which have sponsored the 1958 subscription concerts: The Advertiser, Aldwych Advertising, Ampol Petroleum Ltd., Ansett-A.N.A., Australian and New Zealand Bank, Bank of Adelaide, B.E.A. Distributors Ltd., Bradford Cotton Mills Ltd., City Development Association, Clyde Industries Ltd., Coca-Cola Industries Ltd., Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Containers Ltd., Farmer & Company Limited, Freighters Ltd., Hicks Atkinson Ltd., Mutual Life and Citizens' Assurance Co. Ltd., Rothmans of Pall Mall (Australia) Ltd., Shell Chemicals Pty Ltd., South Australian Associated Brewers, Tip Top Paints Ltd., Wilckens & Burnside Ltd., World Travel Service, and five others who wish to remain anonymous. Advertisements: Shell Chemical (Australia) Pty. Ltd., Musica Viva Society, A E Smith & Co. Pty. Ltd., TAA, Federal Hotels, Orbit Travel Services Pty. Ltd., H Rowe & Co. Music Lounge.program, music, musica viva society, wilson hall. music viva society, 23 may, 1958. third subscription concert under the sponsorship of shell chemical (australia) pty. ltd.. presenting the alma trio, maurice wilk-violin, gabor rejto-cello, aldoph baller-piano. the violin holds a secret. musica viva society. a non-profit making voluntary chamber music. the trio came into being 1944, jeno lener, violinist and gabor rejto, 'cellist, both of lenor quartet yehundi menuhin santa cruz south of san francisco. programme. annotations. ludwig van beetoven (1770). joannes brahms (1833-1897). the council of musica viva acknowledges with gratitude the assistance 1958 the advertiser, aldwych advertising, ampol petroleum ltd., ansett-a.n.a., australian and new zealand bank, bank of adelaide, b.e.a. distributors ltd., bradford cotton mills ltd., city development association, clyde industries ltd., coca-cola industries ltd., commonwealth bank of australia, containers ltd., farmer & company limited, freighters ltd., hicks atkinson ltd., mutual life and citizens' assurance co. ltd., rothmans of pall mall (australia) ltd., shell chemicals pty ltd., south australian associated brewers, tip top paints ltd., wilckens & burnside ltd., world travel service, and five others who wish to remain anonymous. advertisements: shell chemical (australia) pty. ltd., musica viva society, a e smith & co. pty. ltd., taa, federal hotels, orbit travel services pty. ltd., h rowe & co. music lounge. -
B-24 Liberator Memorial Restoration Australia Inc
Book on B-24 Liberators, Hinchcliffe Printing Service Pty Ltd, Leyburn's Liberators
A history of RAAF 200 Flight at Leyburn Airfield.A little known story of secret operations.Softback book.Inscribed inside 'Mr C Chapman, 41 Bay Road, Oatley, 2223'leyburn, b24, liberator, raaf, 200 flight -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Document, Neumann G & Muller Fritz - translated by Young W, A graphic account of the complaints, organisations and privileges, 5 June to 5 December 1940
A graphic account of the complaints, organisations and privileges during the hectic round up of alien internees obtained by Arthur and Lurline Knee from Canberra.Australian archives - folios - attached to this. Sheet have been copied from ASIO Security Service, etc. Clear plastic folder - Australian Archives - ACT Regional Office - inc. booklet found in Sydney Hotel - the chronicle of the German Internment Camps in Australia - branded SECRET 19 May 1941. From 5 June to 15 December 1940as aboveinternment camps, alien internees, australian archives, early internment organisation -
Robin Boyd Foundation
Document - Script, Robin Boyd, The Flying Dogtor. Episode 23 Z for Danger, 1963
The most secretive experiments of the most secretive scientists were carried out in Room Z at the Woomera Range Space Rocket Division. The only people with a key were the topmost scientist, the Prime Minister and the cleaning lady. They had to wait until 5pm for the cleaning lady to arrive so they could get Crafty Carson Carpetbag out, who was hiding from The Flying Dogtor. The Flying Dogtor could hear Crafty making whistling, humming noises and the Secret Service Man said he was messing with Mixture 8X, the most secretive invention of them all, Special Reducing Mixture for use when travelling in small satellites.The Flying Dogtor" series was broadcast on Australian Television Network (later becoming the Seven Network) between February and April 1964 (see item D254 for schedule).Handwritten in pencil, foolscap, 2 pagesThe title is crossed out and it is noted that this is a contraction (eliminating sound effects) of Episodes 23, 24, and 25. Many edits.the flying dogtor, robin boyd, crawford productions, manuscript -
Robin Boyd Foundation
Document - Script, Robin Boyd, The Flying Dogtor. Episode 25 The Countdown, 1963
Major Minor, the space mouse, was feeling well again now that no-one was poisoning his food and plans were made to send him up in the satellite that afternoon. The countdown began. Major Minor was strapped in and given his camera, notebook and cheese lunch packages for seven orbits. The Flying Dogtor thought his work in Woomera had been completed when he realised they’d given the space mouse the wrong package. The Dogtor and the Secret Service Man looked at each other in horror because that meant that Crafty was onboard the rocket!The Flying Dogtor" series was broadcast on Australian Television Network (later becoming the Seven Network) between February and April 1964 (see item D254 for schedule).Handwritten, foolscap, 2 pagesThe title is crossed out. Many edits.the flying dogtor, robin boyd, crawford productions, manuscript -
National Wool Museum
Book, Knitting, Patons and Baldwins' Specialty Knitting Book no. 120
This knitting pattern book was produced during 1939-45 by Patons and Baldwins' and contains knitting patterns for mens civilian and service garments. The front cover illustrates a knitted convalescent jacket (with extra room for bandages, etc) and there are other patterns suitable for men in the services which could be knitted for the Red Cross or Comfort Funds. The back is illustrated with a photo of two men (one in a flying cap, one in army uniform) reading a sign on a wall which states: "Don't help the enemy! Careless talk may give away vital secrets".Front cover, Patons and Baldwins' Specialty Knitting Book no. 120, WWII. Back cover of Patons and Baldwins Specialty Knitting Book no. 120, WWII.MEN'S SERVICE AND CIVILIAN KNITWEAR / No. 120 / 6D. / PATONS & BALDWINS' / SPECIALTY / Knitting Book / THIS IS A SPECIALLY DESIGNED CONVALESCENT JACKETknitting, world war ii, patons and baldwins (australia) ltd -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Magazine, Yarra Trams, "Yarra Connections", Dec. 2003
Demonstrates a Yarra Trams staff newsletter..1 - Magazine - 8 pages, full colour, centre stapled, printed on recycled paper, titled "Yarra Connections Issue 12 December 2003", published by Yarra Trams. Notes the launch of the "Wheelchair users guide" for tram passenger, Yarra Trams support for Wheelchair Rugby, planning for Vermont South extension, French award for CEO, Hubert Guyot, photo exhibition featuring employees by Georgia Metaxas, Boroondara residents and Travelsmart, Metlink Team Tigers Basketball, Ikea store in Richmond, pram friendly trams, feedback and return of W class trams to route 30. New track maintenance vehicle -"scrubber truck". .2 - Letter on Yarra Trams letterhead, addressed to Ron Wilson of Orange Grove Bayswater, signed by Paul Matthews Marketing Manager forwarding a copy of the magazine to Ron, noting highlights. Gives address details. .3 - Magazine - as for .1 - issue 1 dated October 1999 with a forward by the CEO Steve Macdonald , Camberwell depot, Deputy CEO Hubert Guyot, new logo designs, reduction in tram stops, tennis trams, family day, Docklands route 70 extension and competition. .4 - magazine - 3 fold A4 - issue 9, dated Nov. 2002, Notes the construction of Route 109, W class, St Vincent's Plaza, Gordon Atkins, Docklands tram services, explorer program, Feedback, Line Officers, Corporate Report and Melbourne Museum tram. .5 - magazine - issue 11 - August 2003 - 8 pages - opening of Box Hill line, Harry the Wombat, trams in the press, Welcome to Dennis Cliche, B class seating trial, Metlink, Docklands, trial information at tram stops (early TramTracker) project and route 75. .6 - magazine issue 13 - April 2004 - Australian Open tram service, Collins and Spencer Superstop, tram services, feedback, Metlink, Channel 10 - The Secret life of us, PTC Cricket Squad. .7 - issue 8 - April 2002 - Grand Prix, Box Hill update, Citadis update, Collins and Spring superstop, Australia Open, Fare Evastion and track joints.trams, tramways, yarra trams, w class, disability services, vermont south, awards, metlink, route 30, camberwell depot, docklands, route 70, st vincent's plaza, line officers, box hill, route 109, b class, superstops, cricket, tennis, tramtracker, route 75 -
Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
Bushfire awareness sign, Help Prevent Bushfires, Pre 1966
Bushfire Prevention Week was initiated by the Forests Commission in 1930. Victoria’s State Governor, Lord Somers, the Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Sir Harold Luxton and the newly appointed Minister for Forests, William Beckett launched the innovative campaign with great flourish to 250 invited guests at Melbourne’s opulent Town Hall on Monday 13 January 1930. Special church sermons had been held previously on Sunday. The packed program of gala events included lavish luncheon talks at city clubs, scholarly lectures broadcast on the wireless, together with daily articles in the Melbourne and country press about the pressing need for fire prevention. The slogan for the ground-breaking campaign was… Prevent Bush Fires – It Pays… The Shell Petrol Company of Australia supplied 15000 windshield stickers, the British Australasian Tobacco Company donated a large supply of stamp stickers, while many other companies drew attention to the campaign in their newspaper advertisements. The Victorian Railways and many city firms displayed special fire posters, while Bryant and May posted messages on their limited-edition matchbox covers which are now highly prized by phillumenists (i.e. matchbox collectors). The Postmaster General's Department franked postage stamps and letters with special bushfire slogans. While plainclothes police were secretly deployed to the bush to arrest potential arsonists. Canvas and enamel fire prevention signs were erected on most roads leading to forest areas. Letters to the Editor later appeared in many city and country newspapers extolling the virtues of Bushfire Prevention Week and urging for its continuation as an annual event. Although a new idea for Australia, the Canadian Forest Service had been running a similar program for a few years. The Forests Commission in its 1929-30 Annual Report, under the title of "Propaganda", noted with some glee… "One of the most gratifying features of the ''Week" was its low cost to the Government, the major part of the publicity material being donated by private firms." And so for the next 50 years until the 1980s, Bushfire Prevention Week continued unabated with the Forests Commission producing a series of coloured “Magic Lantern” slides which were manufactured by Alex Gunn and Sons in Collins Street Melbourne for screening at Val Morgan cinemas. The slides famously introduced the menacing character, Willy Wildfire, warning motorists to be careful with matches. Now known as Fire Action Week, it remains a key event in the annual calendar for both DEECA and the CFA and is still going strong... These canvas fire awareness signs were used right throughout the period of the Forests Commission until the mid 1980sBushfire awareness signHelp Prevent Bushfiresbushfire, forest signs, forests commission victoria (fcv) -
Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
Bushfire awareness sign, Camp Fires, 1962
Bushfire Prevention Week was initiated by the Forests Commission in 1930. Victoria’s State Governor, Lord Somers, the Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Sir Harold Luxton and the newly appointed Minister for Forests, William Beckett launched the innovative campaign with great flourish to 250 invited guests at Melbourne’s opulent Town Hall on Monday 13 January 1930. Special church sermons had been held previously on Sunday. The packed program of gala events included lavish luncheon talks at city clubs, scholarly lectures broadcast on the wireless, together with daily articles in the Melbourne and country press about the pressing need for fire prevention. The slogan for the ground-breaking campaign was… Prevent Bush Fires – It Pays… The Shell Petrol Company of Australia supplied 15000 windshield stickers, the British Australasian Tobacco Company donated a large supply of stamp stickers, while many other companies drew attention to the campaign in their newspaper advertisements. The Victorian Railways and many city firms displayed special fire posters, while Bryant and May posted messages on their limited-edition matchbox covers which are now highly prized by phillumenists (i.e. matchbox collectors). The Postmaster General's Department franked postage stamps and letters with special bushfire slogans. While plainclothes police were secretly deployed to the bush to arrest potential arsonists. Canvas and enamel fire prevention signs were erected on most roads leading to forest areas. Letters to the Editor later appeared in many city and country newspapers extolling the virtues of Bushfire Prevention Week and urging for its continuation as an annual event. Although a new idea for Australia, the Canadian Forest Service had been running a similar program for a few years. The Forests Commission in its 1929-30 Annual Report, under the title of "Propaganda", noted with some glee… "One of the most gratifying features of the ''Week" was its low cost to the Government, the major part of the publicity material being donated by private firms." And so for the next 50 years until the 1980s, Bushfire Prevention Week continued unabated with the Forests Commission producing a series of coloured “Magic Lantern” slides which were manufactured by Alex Gunn and Sons in Collins Street Melbourne for screening at Val Morgan cinemas. The slides famously introduced the menacing character, Willy Wildfire, warning motorists to be careful with matches. Now known as Fire Action Week, it remains a key event in the annual calendar for both DEECA and the CFA and is still going strong... These canvas fire awareness signs were used right throughout the period of the Forests Commission until the mid 1980sBushfire awareness signbushfire, forests commission victoria (fcv), forest signs -
Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
Bushfire awareness sign, Protect your forests from fire, 1953
Bushfire Prevention Week was initiated by the Forests Commission in 1930. Victoria’s State Governor, Lord Somers, the Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Sir Harold Luxton and the newly appointed Minister for Forests, William Beckett launched the innovative campaign with great flourish to 250 invited guests at Melbourne’s opulent Town Hall on Monday 13 January 1930. Special church sermons had been held previously on Sunday. The packed program of gala events included lavish luncheon talks at city clubs, scholarly lectures broadcast on the wireless, together with daily articles in the Melbourne and country press about the pressing need for fire prevention. The slogan for the ground-breaking campaign was… Prevent Bush Fires – It Pays… The Shell Petrol Company of Australia supplied 15000 windshield stickers, the British Australasian Tobacco Company donated a large supply of stamp stickers, while many other companies drew attention to the campaign in their newspaper advertisements. The Victorian Railways and many city firms displayed special fire posters, while Bryant and May posted messages on their limited-edition matchbox covers which are now highly prized by phillumenists (i.e. matchbox collectors). The Postmaster General's Department franked postage stamps and letters with special bushfire slogans. While plainclothes police were secretly deployed to the bush to arrest potential arsonists. Canvas and enamel fire prevention signs were erected on most roads leading to forest areas. Letters to the Editor later appeared in many city and country newspapers extolling the virtues of Bushfire Prevention Week and urging for its continuation as an annual event. Although a new idea for Australia, the Canadian Forest Service had been running a similar program for a few years. The Forests Commission in its 1929-30 Annual Report, under the title of "Propaganda", noted with some glee… "One of the most gratifying features of the ''Week" was its low cost to the Government, the major part of the publicity material being donated by private firms." And so for the next 50 years until the 1980s, Bushfire Prevention Week continued unabated with the Forests Commission producing a series of coloured “Magic Lantern” slides which were manufactured by Alex Gunn and Sons in Collins Street Melbourne for screening at Val Morgan cinemas. The slides famously introduced the menacing character, Willy Wildfire, warning motorists to be careful with matches. Now known as Fire Action Week, it remains a key event in the annual calendar for both DEECA and the CFA and is still going strong... These canvas fire awareness signs were used right throughout the period of the Forests Commission until the mid 1980sBushfire awareness signProtect your forests from firebushfire, forests commission victoria (fcv), forest signs