April 2024 – Victoria’s Forests & Bushfire Heritage

Henry’s sawmills – Otway Ranges.

The Otway Ranges is characterised by steep terrain, wet weather and thick forest. An early but unsuccessful attempt was made between 1854 and 1861 to bring Blue Gum (Eucalyptus globulus) railway sleepers to Melbourne in small coastal ships from the Otway Ranges. The voyage was perilous because there were no suitable harbours, and relics ofContinue reading “Henry’s sawmills – Otway Ranges.”

Lone Pine tree – Victorian School of Forestry (VSF).

The battle of Lone Pine at Gallipoli is deeply etched in the psyche of Australians, New Zealanders and the Turks. It took place between 6 and 10 August 1915 with tragic losses of over 2,000 ANZACs and a further 7,000 Turkish soldiers. Over the decades the battle became increasingly symbolic and many memorial parks inContinue reading “Lone Pine tree – Victorian School of Forestry (VSF).”

Grass trees.

The austral grasstree (Xanthorrhoea australis) is commonly found growing in heathlands on poor sandy soils along the east coastal strip from NSW to SA, as well as Tasmania. They are highly susceptible to the soil-borne disease Phytophthora cinnamomi. In 1882, the Victorian Inspector of Forests William Ferguson made a field survey of the Heytesbury ForestContinue reading “Grass trees.”

Charles Watson Perpetual Trophy

This cup was awarded at the annual Northeast Division fire school. Fire schools were an important pre-summer program for all Forests Commission staff and crews. They were designed as refresher courses for existing staff and training of new staff on how to use pumps and hoses. FCV Forest Divisions were made up of separate forestContinue reading “Charles Watson Perpetual Trophy”