Early member of the Bush Fire Brigade, Bon Barrie saw the need for improved speed of communication. With the formation of the Country Fire Authority by mid 1950 Melton introduced H F high frequency two way radio sets. A set was located in the Barrie home, which was an idea location to observe smoke sighting given its 360 degree view of the distant horizon. A large antenna was built to improve reception and sending strength. Author – Edna Barrie hand written notes. In its policy of creating smaller compact groups of fire brigades the Country Fire Authority Regional Officer Harry Rothsay in 1967 requested that the following 6 brigades surrounding Mt Cottrell transfer from their respective groups. Melton and Rockbank from Bacchus Marsh Group, Toolern Vale and Sydenham from Mt Macedon Group and Truganina and Werribee from Little River Group forming a new Group to the be named Mt Cottrell Fire Brigades Group. Group Headquarters was established at the Ferris road residence of Melton Captain E W Bon Barrie, who was elected Group and Communications Officer of Mt Cottrell. E W (Eddie) Gillespie and Keith Watt of the Toolern Vale brigade were appointed Deputy Group Officer and Group Secretary respectively. The Base Radio was installed at the Group Headquarters by the CFA. Brigades contributed to half the cost. A grant of $1000 was made available by the Shire of Melton in 1969 toward the cost of VHS (Very High Frequency) replacing the HF(High Frequency) Radios which has been introduced in the 1950’s. Shire of Werribee and the City of Keilor supported Werribee and Sydenham in a similar manner. The Call sign for the new group became VL3LY VHF Channel 1 163.12 m/cs. HF 3836 k/cs. Mount Cottrell Group's Wireless Licence Scheduleemergency services, local identities

Authorisation to use all broadcast receivers (wireless radios) that are ordinarily kept at the address shown on the licence (including any installed in a vehicle). Licences were issued by the Postmaster General under the Commonwealth Broadcasting and Television Act. The stamp on this licence indicates that the fee was paid at Elsternwick Post Office. Separate licences were required to view television.Buff card printed in black on both sides with a red stripe along the top front edge. Date stamped in black ink, and signed in blue ink.Details of licence holder: G Watson 12 Austin Ave S3 Licence number: 15 3931 Fee: £2 15 0 Expiry: 2 8 65 Signature of issuing officer: indecipherable Time issued: 1045 am Stamped: Eltsernwick Vic 27 Au 64wireless licence, radio licence, listener's licence

Previous post office was in Thompson Ave on corner of The Esplanade, where the Isola Di Capri now stands.HistoricalQuarto size page folded in half with blue typing. Outlines procedures of opening, history of the Cowes Post Office and figures on postal articles and services eg wireless licences and pensions. Cover has signatures of dignitaries eg R. Lindsay M.P., H. Quinn Official Opening of the New Post Office, Cowes by R.W. Lindsay, Esq., M.P.. post office cowes phillip island, mr h.quinn postmaster

The Wireless Institute of Victoria was established in 1910 and amateur radio operators (called hams) in Victoria were issued with licences by this institute. Cards such as this one were exchanged by operators to confirm a contact between two amateur radio operators anywhere in the world (called QSL cards). The cards contained information regarding the radio contact made, the strength of the signal, the type of transmitter etc and the words, codes and abbreviations used were known internationally. This card, which is an unused one, belonged to Ted Salamy who had the call sign A 3AJ. This licence was issued in 1924 and was the 35th amateur radio licence issued in Victoria. It is believed that this was the first amateur radio station established in Warrnambool. Ted Salamy (1903-1977) was the son of Michael Salamy who established jewellery shops in Timor Street and in Liebig Street in Warrnambool in the 20th century. Ted Salamy was later the proprietor of these stores up to the 1960s when he retiredThis card has considerable local significance as an early Warrnambool amateur radio card and as one belonging to a prominent 20th century Warrnambool businessman, Ted Salamy. This is a card with a buff-coloured background and black and red printing on one side of the card and handwritten information in blue ink on the other side. The remains of adhesive tape applied to the edges of the card are still visible. ‘Timor Street Warrnambool Vic. Australia A 3AJ, E. Salamy Op.’ amateur (ham) radio, victoria, ted salamy

The RVIB Radio Club was established initially as an entertainment for the RVIB 18th Box Hill Scout group, however anyone who was interested was welcome to join. In 1966 a licence application was submitted and approved, with the call sign allocated initially being VA1277 and used by the group in their initial transmission of September 25, 1967 . An appeal was made to change this to VK3VIB however this was rejected. An alternative call sign of VK3AVI was approved however, and first used on October 23, 1967. The club fostered an interest in radio communications and some later obtained licences of their own. The Radio Club lasted for 20 years and eventually concluded on November 16, 1988 with the equipment donated to the Kooyong Radio Club. A potted history of the club has written by Alex Paterson.3 log books and various loose papers including a brief history, radio licences, rosters and Wireless Institute of Australia Victorian Division membership cards.royal victorian institute for the blind, rvib burwood school, esme dunnell, alex paterson

Melton Fire Brigade history In a letter to George Minns of 24th March 1942 from the Forests Commission the brigade was registered Class ‘F’ with the certificate of Registration N. 425. In December 1935 a public meeting was held with the purpose of forming a bush fire brigade. Constable Roy Corbett was elected Captain a position he held until 1941 and 1945 –1949. 1942 EW Barrie. 1st Lieut 2nd Lieut TL Barrie 1943 EW Barrie 2nd Lieut 1944 : : MELTON RURAL FIRE BRIGADE Established under CFA act 1944 1945- 1953 EW Barrie Apparatus Officer 1951- 1965 EW Barrie Captain 1967- 1979 EW Barrie elected Group Communication Officer of the Mt Cotterill Fire Brigades. RADIO In 1954 the Fire Brigade introduced 2 HF (high frequency) radios, one was installed in the Fire truck and the other in the Captains utility. 1956- 16th March Licence granted to the County Fire Authority Melton to establish a MOBILE transmitting and receiving station. Area of operation, Melton and District on the frequency (kc/s) 3836 for the exchange of messages relating to the fighting and prevention of fires during actual fires or periods of fire hazard with the CFA Bacchus Marsh base station VL3OX. 1958- 22nd May Commonwealth of Australia, Postmaster-General’s Department Special Licence No H 702 under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1905-1950 is hereby transferred to Mr. E.W. Barrie, Captain, Melton Rural Fire Brigade to establish a MOBILE transmitting and receiving station. Call sign VL3 OX 6 and VL 3OX 7Group officer Bon Barrie's invitation to a Fire Brigade formal dinner emergency services

Radio transcript - 8 foolscap sheets, stencil duplicated. Titled - "Wireless Address 3LO by Mr W. Strangward Secretary MMTB 17 June 1926 - Tramway Fares and Tramway Finance" First paragraph refers to previous radio broadcasts by the Chairman, Mr Strickland (track) and Mr Murdoch. Notes that tram fares were raised by 14% last month, fare history, cost of living, the Board's slogan "Service at Cost", wages, cost of new tramways, cost of operations vs fares, the issue of State Government payments to the Infectious Diseases Hospital, Fire Bridges, and Licensing fees and the impact of these imposts, track maintenance costs, relationships with Councils, free travel, workmen fares, free passes to returned soldiers, new routes and bus competition. Two copies held.trams, tramways, radio stations, fares, costs, victorian government, fire brigade, licence fees, buses, track repairs

Radio transcript - 10 foolscap sheets, typed, titled "Wireless address 3LO by Mr Alex Cameron, Chairman MMTB 12 Jan 1930 - 745pm - Our Trams and Safety". Introduction refers to a request from the Safety Council of Australia, about safety around trams. Notes braking systems, tramcar maintenance, Preston Workshops, training, medical examinations, accident statistics, cable trams, more accidents with cable cars, knock downs mainly in the city, step accidents, crowding on trams, passengers knocked down by motor cars, tram stops, safety zones, traffic regulation, motor traffic, motor vehicle licencing, parking, and lane markings. Has a lists of don't for motorists, pedestrians and passengers.trams, tramways, radio stations, accidents, behaviour, driver training, brakes, safety, medical, cable trams, statistics, motor vehicles, traffic control