A large camp of ligh horse regiments took place near Torquay, Victoria in the early months of World War Two. This was the swan song for horsed light horse, shortly after the Victorian regiments converted to mechanised units.Framed black and white photograph of Light Horse near Torquay Victoria in 1940.light horse, torquay, world war two, wwii

The 20th Light Horse (Victorian Mounted Rifles) was raised in 1920 as part of the 3rd Cavalry Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division, Citizen Military Forces, with Headquarters at Seymour and depots along the Goulburn Valley from Mansfield to Tocumwal in southern NSW. In December 1941, 20th Light Horse (Victorian Mounted Rifles) converted from horse to mechanised, initially as 20th Motor Regiment. In 1943 the Regiment was deployed to Merauke, Dutch New Guinea. Upon its return in April 1945, the Regiment was redesignated 20th Pioneer Battalion. It was disbanded following the end of the war. 20th Light Horse was the only light horse regiment to serve overseas in WWII.This is one of a collection of photographs featuring a Light Horse regiment drawn from rural and regional Victoria in the period immediately prior to mobilisation for World War 2 (1939-1945).Black and white photograph of large group of horsemen on beach and crossing dunes at Torquay, Victoria 1940." The mobilized 20th Light Horse Regiment CMF on Torquay Beach, Victoria in 1940 shortly before its mechanisation and conversion to an Armoured unit. Sun photograph.military, light horse, world war two, torquay, camp

This letter acknowledges help given to the British people by Australians after WW 11. In this case Torquay Golf Club in Victoria Australia sent its President, Mr Vary, with gifts of food to help supplement the 'somewhat restricted menus' of the people of Torquay, Devon, England. Typed letter/testimonial with large red seal and personally signed. Located in a black frame with gold edge. Letter to members of the Torquay Golf Club Australia expressing gratitude for 'generous assistance', such as 'food gifts', given during post war years. Seal of the Borough of Torquay, Devon, England. Signed by Mayor and Justice of the Peace for the Borough. Dated 13th July 1949. postwar, torquay golf club, torquay victoria australia, torquay devon england

Twin fin surfboard manufactured at Piping Hot Boston Road Torquay. Manufactured from polyurethane foam core and laminated fibreglass with fixed fibreglass fins. Shaped by Mike Patterson. This board is has channels running almost full length on the bottom of the board, the wide point forward of centre, swallow tail with flyer. Custom graphics in red, yellow and green top and bottom; from 1979High performance twin fin designs were pioneered by 4 time Professional World Surfing Champion Mark Richards (Newcastle). In this period 1978 -1981 these surfboards represented the pinnacle of surfboard design progression and high performance. This surfboard also represents Piping Hot which was one of Australia's leading surf 'brands' at that time. Piping Hot was a Torquay based company that produced surfboards,wetsuits and surf clothing. Piping Hot Twin Fin surfboard. Manufactured from polyurethane foam core and laminated fibreglass with fixed fibreglass fins. Full plan shape with channels running almost full length on the bottom of the board, the wide point forward of centre, swallow tail with flyer. Legrope plug fitted. Custom graphics in red, yellow and green top and bottom.20cm x 16cm Black red yellow green Piping Hot logo on deck and bottom 60cm down from nose. Hand written makers mark "Shaped by Mike Patterson Custom" in pencil on blank beside stringer forward of the fins on the bottom. "1459" in pencil on bottom near tail. surfboard, fibreglass, twin fin, piping hot, mike patterson, torquay, channel bottom, fred pyke, rod brooks

This Memorial Booklet was put together by family, friends and members of the Torquay Surf Life Saving Club for a special memorial service held at the club on Saturday 6th November, 2010. 'China' Gilbert was a popular member of the surf club who passed away from ill health in Torquay on 28th September, 2010. The booklet contains a mixture of tributes, black and white and colour photographs of 'China' from his youth through to modern times highlighting his activities at the Torquay Surf Life Saving Club and a pioneer surfer in the 1940's and 1950's.This booklet is significant because it commemorates the memory of one of the oldest and most popular members of the Torquay Surf Life Saving Club. The booklet contains historic and rare photographic images of 'China' from his earliest days as a young surfer through to his time as a competitor for the Torquay Surf Life Saving Club and finally senior club member. 'China' was known around Australia for his surfing, mateship and 'larrikin' streak. Over 500 people attended his memorial service and paddle out at the Torquay Surf Life Saving Club.24 page full colour booklet with a photo of 'China' Gilbert on the cover holding a bright yellow Quiksilver surfboard. 'China' signature and graphic of a tree.rex china gilbert, china, torquay surf life saving club, longboard, 1956 melbourne olympics, torquay surf beach

This event access pass was issued to staff, vendors and community volunteers at the 2000 Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach.The access pass is typical of the pass issued each year to the staff and workers at the longest running surfing contest in the world. The pass features unique Indigenous artwork by Torquay artist/surfer Glenn Romanis2000 Rip Curl Pro Access Pass. Full colour laminated access pass (Outside Staff) for the 2000 Rip Curl Pro and Sunsmart Classic. The pass features cover art by Indigenous artist Glenn Romanis and event management logos. The pass also features a site map on the back and access information.Event management logos on the front. Indigenous Bell artwork by Torquay artist/surfer Glenn Romanis.bells beach, rip curl, glenn romanis, surfing victoria, 2000 rip curl pro

The history of the Thunderchild gun is not known. It was presumably manufactured in Torquay in the second half of the 19th century. Such guns were often attached to a ship’s rail through the holes in the swivel base, as in the base of this gun. The guns fired grapeshot and were originally used on ships to repel boarders. They were also used to launch whaling harpoons and were sometimes employed for signalling. The relatively late date makes the latter application most likely. This Thunderchild gun is complete with ramrod and wad remover. It is in good working order and easily assembled. It is used locally for special ceremonies and for Whaleboat Races as a starting gun. (Guns and Cannon, South Wester Victoria, May 2008, ref W/F/03) The small bore cannon is part of a collection of nineteenth century Flagstaff Hill Guns and Cannon, which is classified as being a high level of significance, on State, National and World The nineteenth century artillery pieces are a very rare and representative collection of artillery of this era. The artillery pieces, individually and as a collection, are highly significant for historical, scientific and aesthetic reasons at the state, national and world levels. The artillery pieces are excellent examples of nineteenth century artillery designed for the shore defence of western Victoria in the mid to late 1800s. The collection demonstrates the system of nineteenth century Imperial Defence implemented by Britain and of the recycling of obsolete technology to the colonies by Britain. The collection represents the methods of artillery technology, its advancement and its modifications in order to remain active. It also illustrates the transference of defence technology from Britain to Australia and demonstrates the level of reliance Australia had on British defence equipment. The artillery pieces form prominent elements in their landscapes and, together with the batteries and sites in which they are located, create a strong visual link to the region’s defence history. Importantly the artillery pieces, individually and as a collection, represent a very rare and intact group of nineteenth century artillery. Very few examples of nineteenth century artillery have survived worldwide, the largest collections being sited in Canada. The collection is a rare collection of artillery which demonstrates the advancements made in artillery technology during the nineteenth century, and is one of the largest collections of nineteenth century artillery in Australia. Further, the collection is extremely intact, with most pieces retaining original carriages and many located within their original emplacement. This collection of artillery, with their carriages and in their locations, are of exceptional national significance as they represent the largest intact collection of artillery within a single defensive network, outside of major colonial ports. The collection of nineteenth century carriages and slides are in themselves an extremely rare and important collection, however their significance is enhanced by their placements within batteries and with guns. (Conservation Management Plan for Victorian Guns and Cannon, South Western Victoria, May 2008) Cannon; small 1pdr cast iron, smooth bore muzzle loading swivel gun, painted glass black. 19th century cannon has polished wood handle, two detachable metal stirrups and metal swivel base with cuff, attached to block of wood by four bolts. Accessories are a wood tamper and wood ramrod. Name on gun is Thunder-Child, Torquay, Vic. There are Maker’s Marks on the gun and base, and a number on the cannon.. Marks; Barrel "Thunder/ Child". Base cuff " THUNDER / -CHILD / TORQUAY / VIC ", Trunnion "2825/H"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, cannon, torquay, thunder child cannon, thunderchild cannon, signal cannon, muzzle loading cannon, ordinance, munitions

See also 3089.86. Information with that photo gives an alternative provenance: 8th Light Horse Regiment watering horses at a Murray River lagoon, South Corowa NSW, September 1939; Wahgunyah Troop, C Squadron - this side of lagoon, Lieutenant J. Nott on grey horse in water. The number of horsemen would seem to exceed that of a single regiment so the Torquay description would seem more probable.Black and white photograph ( laminated ) of 8th, 13th,20th, and 4thLight Horse Regiments watering horses near Torquay Victoria , March 1940.Picture taken about March 1940 when the 13th Light Horse from Gippsland, the 8th Light Horse from Upper Murray, the 4th Light Horse from the Western Districts and the 20th Light Horse from the Goulburn Valley were in camp near Torquay. Mr Cappur Webb of Glendoxey, Seymour, a member of the 20th said the picture must have been taken during an exercise about five miles north of Torquay. “We used to water our horses in that lake”, he said." light horse, torquay, wwii, world war two, military, horses

There are only seven shipwrecks in Victoria that have had more than 100 objects recovered from them reported as a result of the Commonwealth Amnesty held in 1993-94. These are the Loch Ard (1878), Schomberg (1855) and Fiji (1891) - all situated along the western district 'Shipwreck Coast' - and the George Roper (1883), Light of the Age (1868), Joseph H. Scammell (1891) and Victoria Tower - all situated along the short section of the 'Surf Coast' between Point Lonsdale and Torquay.The Victoria Tower is archaeologically significant as the wreck of an international inward-bound passenger and cargo vessel. It is educationally and recreationally significant as a coherently intact example of a British built iron clipper ie: representative of a class or type. Along with the wrecks of the Light of the Age (1868 - American-built wooden clipper ship) and Sussex (1871 - Blackwall frigate) nearby these vessels represent the three major design classes, and span the evolution of commercial and immigrant sailing ships used by the British in the colonial Australian trade in the last half of the nineteenth century.2 Doors from the 'Victoria Tower' made from teak and mahoganydoors, salvage, shipwreck, torquay, victoria tower

The fishing basket belonged to Arthur Rosser, son of Felix Rosser who was one of the early fishermen of Torquay. The tools and line kept in the basket may have been owned by Felix.Felix Rosser was a well known early settler in Torquay. He became a local hero in 1891 when he spotted the SS Joseph Scammell stricken on the reef off Point Danger and played a pivotal role in the successful rescue of all passengers and crew ... and the ship's cat.A wicker fishing basket and fishing equipmentfishing equipment, torquay victoria, felix rosser

This knife is one of a number of items in a fishing basket that belonged to Arthur Rosser, son of Felix Rosser who was one of the early fishermen of Torquay. It was crafted from a sheep shearing blade, with wood inserted in the shaft and bound with strips of oilskin, evidence of the improvisation required to sustain a living. The tools and line kept in the basket may have been owned by Felix.Felix Rosser was a well known early settler in Torquay. He became a local hero in 1891 when he spotted the SS Joseph Scammell stricken on the reef off Point Danger and played a pivotal role in the successful rescue of all passengers and crew ... and the ship's cat.Fishing knife that was kept in a wicker fishing basket. Metal blade with wood inserted in the shaft and bound with strips of oilskinfishing equipment, torquay victoria, felix rosser

This knife is one of a number of items in a fishing basket that belonged to Arthur Rosser, son of Felix Rosser who was one of the early fishermen of Torquay. The tools and line kept in the basket may have been owned by Felix.Felix Rosser was a well known early settler in Torquay. He became a local hero in 1891 when he spotted the SS Joseph Scammell stricken on the reef off Point Danger and played a pivotal role in the successful rescue of all passengers and crew ... and the ship's cat.Fishing knife in the shape of a small axe. Metal blade with wooden handle that is overlaid with bronze (?) .fishing equipment, torquay victoria, felix rosser

This scale is one of a number of items in a fishing basket that belonged to Arthur Rosser, son of Felix Rosser who was one of the early fishermen of Torquay. The tools and line kept in the basket may have been owned by Felix.Felix Rosser was a well known early settler in Torquay. He became a local hero in 1891 when he spotted the SS Joseph Scammell stricken on the reef off Point Danger and played a pivotal role in the successful rescue of all passengers and crew ... and the ship's cat.Pocket spring balance that would have been used for weighing fish. At the top of the scales there is a metallic ring to fasten the object. This is attached to the main body on which is a bronze plate. On one side measurements are inscribed into the metal surface. There is a spring loaded mechanism which moves along the scales when weight is added to a hook at the bottom of the shaft.EXCELSIOR IMPROVED SPRING BALANCE BELMONT-HDW-CO USAfishing equipment, torquay victoria, felix rosser, scales and balances

This fish line and hook is one of a number of items in a fishing basket that belonged to Arthur Rosser, son of Felix Rosser who was one of the early fishermen of Torquay. The tools and line kept in the basket may have been owned by Felix.Felix Rosser was a well known early settler in Torquay. He became a local hero in 1891 when he spotted the SS Joseph Scammell stricken on the reef off Point Danger and played a pivotal role in the successful rescue of all passengers and crew ... and the ship's cat.Cord fishing line, coiled, with metal hook at end attached with fine metal wirefishing equipment, torquay victoria, felix rosser, scales and balances

"Victoria Tower" 3-mast ship wrecked 17th October 1869 on maiden voyage, Bream Creek near Torquay Victoria. 20 items mostly brass items

A soft cover book of 312 pages being a guide, history and natural heritage trails through Central and Western Victoria. Colour photos on front and back covers. Illustrated with maps and numerous colour photos of towns and districts. Published in 2006 by Best Shot! Publications P/L Torquay, Victoria. Printed in Maryborough by McPherson's Printing Group'M & J Qualtrough' sticker on title page Dymocks Booksellers sticker on back cover central and western goldfields, traveller's guide

This photo, part 1 of a 2 photo sequence taken by John Witzig, is of of Bob McTavish riding a very large waves (15'+) at Bells Beach on Easter Sunday (April 18th) 1965. This wave is thought to be the same one described by McTavish in his book as one of the biggest, most powerful waves he had ridden, almost resulting in his drowning after being washed down past the next headland at winki pop. Bells, Easter, 1965 is considered one of the biggest days that this break has been surfed. The surfer in the photograph, Bob McTavish would go on to become one of the most influential surfer/shapers in Australian during the next decade.The extremely large waves experienced by surfers at Bells Beach on Easter Sunday 1965 is part of surfing folklore. The wave featured in this photograph is considered one of the largest ridden waves ever documented at Bells Beach.Large black and white (sepia toned) photo. Part 1 of a 2 photo sequence taken by John Witzig of Bob McTavish riding a very big wave at Bells Beach. Photo is titled 'Bob McTavish Big Bells 1 - 1965', and signed and numbered by John Witzig (11/100). Signed by John Witzig. Numbered 11 / 100bells beach, john witzig, bob mctavish, easter sunday 1965, bells beach surfing classic

This Bell was won by John Pawson as second junior place getter in the Bells Easter Open Contest in 1969. The bell was one of the earliest versions of the bell made by Joe Sweeney. John Pawson was a local surfer who tragically drowned at Winki Pop in January 1984RarityBrass bell mounted on wooden frame with wood stand and engraved brass plaque.Engraved on brass plaque "Coca Cola Trophy / Bells Easter Open Contest / 2nd JUNIOR 1969"trophy, surf, bells beach, bell, pawson, easter contest

This photograph is likely to have been taken by a newspaper photographer when visiting the 8th Light Horse Regiment on manoeuvres with the 2nd Cavalry Division at Torquay Victoria in 1940. This assumption is supported by the identification of the districts from which the soldiers are drawn. The Fine studies of citizen soldiers while on manoeuvres in the period immediately preceding phasing out of horses and the transition to mechanised transport.Framed black and white photograph of sixty mounted light horsemen drawn up in massed ranks on a sand hill. Small insert photograph of five light horsemen, probably the squadron officers in lower right corner."8th Light Horse B. Squadron. The districts represented in this Squadron are Wangaratta, Rutherglen, Myrtleford, Tawonga and Moyhu"8th light horse regiment, wangaratta, rutherglen, myrtleford, tawonga, moyhu

A rare photograph of massed Light Horse in Victoria shortly before mechanisation consigned the horse to history.Black and white photograph of large group of horsemen in ranks waiting in the process of watering horses at a lagoon. One copy of the image claims it to be 8th Light Horse Regiment watering horses at a Murray River lagoon, South Corowa NSW, September 1939; Wahgunyah Troop, C Squadron - this side of lagoon, Lieutenant J. Nott on grey horse in water. A second copy (Cat No 0690) asserts it is 4 regiments of light horse being 8th, 13th, 20th and 4th watering horses near Torquay Victoria, March 1940.On a label on reverse of 0690: "Picture taken about March 1940 when the 13th Light Horse from Gippsland, the 8th Light Horse from Upper Murray, the 4th Light Horse from the Western Districts and the 20th Light Horse from the Goulburn Valley were in camp near Torquay. Mr Cappur Webb of Glendoxey, Seymour, a member of the 20th said the picture must have been taken during and exercise about five miles north of Torquay. “We used to water our horses in that lake”, he said."

Members of the Lake Bolac Troop of the 4th/19 Lighthorse Regiment encamped at Torquay, Victoria. Back from left: Keith Davidson, Alan Hucker, Frank Shalders, Lewis Wills, Neil Robertson, Harold Hildebrandt, Donald Davidson, Eric Hose. Front: Reginald Fagg, Henry Clark, Eric Robertson, Robert Delamare, Henry Gale, Charles Geddeslake bolac, light horse, torquay, davidson, hucker, wills, robertson, hildebrandt, hose, fagg, clark, delamare, gale, geddes

History of the Torquay Surf Life Saving Club celebrates the first fifty years (1945-1995) of the largest surf life saving club in Victoria. The book features historic photographs of the surf club and the famed Torquay Surf Beach on Victoria rugged Surf Coast. The book also features chapters on the historic, cultural, social and competitive areas within the club.This bok is significant because it represents the first official history of one of the largest and most influential surf life saving clubs in Australia.Blue leather hardback book with gold lettering on blue representing the colours of the Torquay Surf Life Saving Club. Authors name - Ken Pollardbells beach, torquay surf life saving club, d s club, peter troy, vic tantau, terry wall, ken pollard, torquay surf beach, pioneer surfers, jim wall, dick garrard, sprint walker, owen yateman, alan coulson, ron hussey, joe sweeney, sharon heathcote, ray brewin, frances murphy, bryan hayden

Second Cavalry Division conducted camp of full time training at Torquay near Geelong Victoria from January to April 1940. One of the regiments attending was 8th Light Horse. This was one of the last large gathering of horsed cavalry in Victoria. The 8th Light Horse (Indi) Regiment had its headquarters at Benalla with sub-units throughout the Upper Murray and Northeast Victoria. In December 1941,the regiment converted from horse to mechanised, initially as 8th Reconnaissance Battalion then in July 1942 it became 8th Cavalry Regiment and served in Northern Territory. As Japanese threat to the mainland declined the regiment was disbanded.Images of citizen soldiers from North East Victoria at beginning of world War 2.Collection of six black and white photographs of 8th Light Horse in camp near Geelong, January to April 1940.Shows mounted horsemen,tents and horse lines.training, camp, torquay, cavalry, 8th light horse regiment

Bayonet was one of 20 Attack class patrol boats built for the Royal Australian Navy between 1967 and 1969 by Walkers Ltd of Maryborough Qld . In the 1960s, Australia became more closely involved in events in the Asia-Pacific region. This led to improved surveillance and control of our enormous coastline, especially the northern approaches. Patrol boats controlled illegal fishing, smuggling and immigration, search and rescue, and occasional inshore survey work. Her hull is steel and the superstructure is aluminium. It is armed for small-scale encounters, with one 40-mm Bofors gun and two 0.5-inch Browning machine guns to fire warning shots across the bow of a suspect vessel. She was 32.6 m long and 6.1 m wide, 150 tons, powered by two paxman diesel engines and capable of about 24 knots. . A sister ship featured in the popular ABC-TV series Patrol Boat. The Bayonet conducted patrol duties around Australian waters until her scuttling by defence maritime services on 21 September 1999 in 82 m of water off Torquay in Victoria. propeller, hmas bayonet

These images capture for all time Light Horsemen travelling through Geelong on their way to camp at Torquay for the last Group meeting in Australia . information following - details obtained from .........https://torquayhistory.com/light-horse-brigade/ On Australia Day, 1997, Sir John Young unveiled this plaque on Point Danger, Torquay. Torquay history, Light Horse Training Camp, WW2 Plaque at Pt. Danger Note----- (See images to view plaque) The plaque identifies a significant event in Torquay’s history and the sentiments of ‘change’ for the Light Horse Brigade – from horses to machines. In 1940 the four Light Horse Regiments (4th, 8th, 13th and 20th), some 5000 Light Horse and 2000 horses camped and trained at Torquay. Three other regiments, formerly mounted on horses, were also at Torquay ‘mounted’ on privately owned trucks and cars. Division troops included Artillery, Engineers, Signals, Field Ambulance and other branches of the Army necessary to enable a Division to function. It wasn’t just the sheer numbers of men coming to this little town that made the event significant, it was also the fact that the men of the Light Horse were dramatic, almost glamorous figures and it is easy to see their exploits as some splendid adventure. Horses have played a special role in the story of Australia. They were the only means of transport across this huge country, so it was necessary for everyone to have the ability to ride a horse. When war broke out in 1899 between Britain and the Boers of South Africa (“Boer” was Dutch for “farmer”) Australia sent troops to fight. At first Britain was wary of using untried, unprofessional colonial cavalrymen but soon saw that the slouch-hatted Australian “bushmen” were a match for the fast-moving and unconventional mounted commandos of the Boers. The Australians proved themselves to be expert rough-riding horsemen and good shots. Bush life had hardened them to go for long periods with little food and water. They also showed remarkable ability to find their way in a strange country and use its features for cover, in both attack and defence. By 1914, when Australia joined the war against Germany, there were 23 Light Horse regiments of militia volunteers. Many men from these units joined the Light Horse regiments of the Australian Imperial Force (AIF). Men were given remounts (if not using their own horses) – army horses bought by Commonwealth purchasing officers from graziers and breeders. These were called “walers” because they were a New South Wales stockhorse type – strong, great-hearted animals with the strains of the thoroughbred and semi-draught to give them speed, strength and stamina. On 1st November, 1914, Australia’s First Infantry Division and the first four Light Horse regiments sailed for England in a fleet of transport ships. The first of the Light Horse arrived at Gallipoli in May without their horses. Back with their horses after Gallipoli, they were formidable combatants across the Sinai and Palestine. Some British commanders observed that the light horseman moved with a “lazy, slouching gait, like that of a sleepy tiger” but described how the promise of battle “changes that careless gait, into a live athletic swing that takes him over the ground much quicker than other troops”. They had Light Horse, Torquay, training campdeveloped a reputation as formidable infantrymen. The Turks called them “the White Ghurkas” – a reference to their deadly skill with the bayonet. The Arabs called them “The Kings of the Feathers”. The plume had originally been a battle honour of the Queensland Mounted Infantry for their work in the shearer’s strike of 1891. During WW1 it was adopted by almost all the Light Horse Regiments. It was the proud badge of the light horseman. The most famous of their battles was the attack on Beersheba- the charge of the 4th Light Horse Brigade. Mounted infantrymen and their superb walers had carried out one of the most successful cavalry charges in history – against what seemed impossible odds. They surprised the Turks by charging cavalry-style, when they would normally have ridden close to an objective then dismounted to fight. The fall of Beersheba swung the battle tide against the Turks in Palestine; and changed the history of the Middle East. While 19 men from the Surf Coast Shire served with the 4th Light Horse over the course of WW1, only four were involved in the charge of Beersheba- John GAYLARD, Philip QUINN.(Winchelsea); Wallace FINDLAY (Anglesea); Harry TRIGG (Bambra). After the war, Light Horse units played a key role in the Australian Government’s compulsory military training programme. The Citizen Military Forces (C.M.F.) thrived on the glamour of the wartime Light Horse tradition, ignoring the possibility that motor vehicles would soon replace the horses. When training was no longer compulsory, the C.M.F. regiments declined and horses became more of a luxury during the 1930s depression years of poverty and unemployment. Some regiments were motorised. Then, in 1939, Australia joined Britain in another world war. Training was increased for the militia at both home bases and regional training camps. The camp at Torquay in 1940, commanded by Major General Rankin, was at Divisional strength. By the end of the camp some felt that the Division was ready for active service. Gradually, over the next four years, the Australian Light Horse units were mounted on wheels and tracks and the horses were retired. Six men enlisted at the Torquay camp and another 57 men and women enlisted at Torquay for service in WW2. Those who served in the Militia provided valuable Officers and NCOs and men for the armed services during the war. Each infantry division of the 2nd AIF had a Light Horse regiment attached to it. But the day of the Australian mounted soldier hadn’t quite passed. During World War II, Australia’s 6th Cavalry Regiment formed a mounted unit they called “The Kelly Gang” which did valuable scouting work. In New Guinea, a mounted Light Horse Troop did patrol duty and helped carry supplies. Some fully equipped walers were flown into Borneo for reconnaissance in rugged mountain country. But by the end of the war, in 1945, the horse had disappeared from the Australian Army. References: Australian Light Horse Association www.lighthorse.org.au National Australia Archives Australian War Memorial Surf Coast Shire WW1 memorials www.togethertheyserved.com The Light horse- a Cavalry under Canvas Light Horse, Training Camp, Torquay, WW2 Late in 1939 it was decided to set up a Lighthorse training camp in Torquay to train both men and horses for the battles of the Second World War. Horses, men and equipment came on special trains from all over Victoria and NSW, and as you would expect horseman came from areas such as Omeo and Sale, the Wimmera and the Western District. They arrived at the Geelong racecourse for watering in the Barwon River and then were ridden across the ford at the breakwater and began their 11 mile trek to Torquay. Light Horse, Training Camp, Torquay, WW2 Tent city By the end of January 1940 the camp at Torquay accommodated some 5000 men and 2500 horses of the Second Cavalry Division. The rows of horses, tents and huts near Blackgate Road were quite a sight. While the cavalrymen engaged in exercises on the land and on the beaches, many of the troops took over the Torquay School for special training of men and officers. Mr Bob Pettit local farmer and Councillor for the Barrabool Shire, wrote about the Light horse in the Surf Coast Community News in 1985 saying “They used to travel about the district riding four abreast in one long convoy. To my annoyance they went through my property and shut all the gates behind them. I had certain gates open to let stock in to the water holes and it would take me three -quarters of an hour to follow the horsemen up and put all the gates right again” he continued “the men from the Light Horse were here when the fire went through in March 1940. He recalled an incident when early one morning, as some one blew the bugle, a soldier putting a white sheet on the line frightened the horses. They panicked and ran off in all directions. Six went over the cliff near Bird Rock, five were never found, and the rest were gathered up after nearly a fortnight in the bush around Addiscott and Anglesea" Light Horse, Training Camp, Torquay, WW2, Geelong Parade Geelong parade The training camp culminated in a parade through the streets of Geelong on March 12th 1940. The salute was given at the Town Hall and the troops continued on a route to the You Yang’s for a training exercise. Note-----(see media section for photograph) The Camp was abandoned in mid 1940 as it was deemed unsuitable for training during winter and the cost of a permanent camp could not be justified if it could not be used all year. Historic.......Rare,,,Interpretive.Sepia photographs.set of four ....post card size ....Horses &LighthorsemenNo 1, Lighthorsemen Regiment Geelong 1940......No 2 Light Horse at Breakwater Geelong 1938 to 1940....No 3 Light Horse at Breakwater Geelong 1938 to 1940.....No 4 Light Horse crossing Breakwater camped at Geelong Showgrounds. These markings are on reverse of photographs.light horsemengeelong 1940., world war 2

444 pagesnon-fictionThis report is one of a series describings the physical nature of the land and its environment, examines the likely forms of land use, and assesses the hazards associated with these uses. It is divided into four main sections: Introduction, Characteristics of environment, main forms of land use and description of 24 specific blocks in the study area which include Torquay, Brisbane Ranges, Werribee, Wombat, Loddon, Romsey, Puckapunyal, Strathbogie, Eildon, Disappointment, Break O'Day, Black Range, Cerberean, Upper Goulburn, Kinglake, Donna Buang, Upper Yarra, Thomson, Dandenongs, Bunyip-Latrobe, Shady Creek, Tyers, Westernport and Strzelecki. The Land Conservation Act 1970 established the Land Conservation Council whose functions is to "carry out investigations and make recommendations to the Minister with respect to the use of public land in order to provide for the balanced use of land in Victoria. This report sets out to describe and assess the natural resources of the public lands in the Melbourne area and provides a factual basis on which members of the community may base submissions to the [Land Conservation] Council of Victoria.land use, kinglake, thomson valley, conservation, public lands

Article on establishment of Company to establish modern Caravan Parks in Victoria, called Amalgamated Caravan Parks Pty Ltd, first Park to be at Lorne. Includes description of intended facilities. A second park to be established at Torquay.Article on establishment of Caravan Parks Company.local history, documents, newspapers, caravan parks, black & white newspaper clipping