Warrnambool in southwest Victoria has a strong dairy industry that once boasted two factories making thousands of wooden butter boxes. The first factory was opened in 1896 near the railway station by Welsh immigrant Henry McGennan. The second factory owned by the Western District Co-Operative Box Company, came a few years later in 1912, onContinue reading “Butter Boxes.”
Author Archives: Peter McHugh
Sleepers
The figures for railway sleepers produced from State forests are simply astounding. More than 26 million were cut between 1919 and 1986, primarily from the red gum forests along the Murray, the yellow stringybark forests of Mullundung near Yarram and greybox from East Gippsland. Sleeper cutting began around Orbost in the 1920s and there areContinue reading “Sleepers”
Footy and Rabbits.
For many years, the number of students at the Victorian School of Forestry (VSF) at Creswick was too small to field its own competitive football team. In 1942 there were only about 17 students, but in 1944 the annual intake increased, with the result that by 1946 the number in residence had more than doubledContinue reading “Footy and Rabbits.”
South Cascade Bridge.
In the wake of the 1939 bushfires, a major log salvage program was undertaken by the Forests Commission Victoria (FCV) across the Central Highlands. Logs salvaged from the Thomson Valley and destined for sawmills at Erica travelled on a complex network of timber tramways. Before the fires, the well-established Ezards company already operated several sawmillsContinue reading “South Cascade Bridge.”
Yellow Gum – VSF.
The grounds at the Victorian School of Forestry (VSF) at Creswick have many significant trees, some dating back over more than a century. When Prince Charles stayed overnight at VSF on 28 October 1974 he planted a Yellow Gum (E. leucoxylon) near the science lab. The tree survives but it’s a bit overshadowed by someContinue reading “Yellow Gum – VSF.”
Poverty Point Bridge.
Also known as the Tramway Bridge or the Old Steel Bridge, Poverty Point Bridge was designed by Mr. Timmins, an engineer from the Victorian Railways. The prefabricated steel components were manufactured by Dorman Long and Co and erected in 1900 by Austral Otis Co from South Melbourne. Dorman Long and Co was a Middlesborough firmContinue reading “Poverty Point Bridge.”
Tom Crosbie Morrison.
Philip Thomas Crosbie Morrison, sometimes known as PTCM, but more commonly as just plain Tom, was born in 1931 and grew up in Brighton. It’s alleged that on New Years Eve, Tom, and his younger brother James, climbed the statue of Victoria’s infamous and colourful Premier Sir Thomas Bent, which overlooked the Nepean Highway, andContinue reading “Tom Crosbie Morrison.”
Forests Commission Logo.
The iconic Forests Commission Victoria (FCV) “two-tree” logo was designed in the early 1960s by graphic artist, Alan Rawady. The modern logo replaced the circular emblem with myrtle beech fronds that had been in service for many decades. Alan had the grand title of Artist and Display Designer and was part of the three-person PublicityContinue reading “Forests Commission Logo.”
Yes Minister.
Forty years ago today, on 4 May 1983, the Minister for Forests, Rod Mackenzie, announced in Parliament the State Government’s intention to “shake up” the forest service. The Forests Commission Victoria (FCV), and its predecessor the State Forests Department (SFD), had been stable and relatively autonomous authorities responsible for management and protection from bushfire ofContinue reading “Yes Minister.”
Star Wars.
Jim Hickman, a Fire Management Officer from Tasmania, first suggested using lasers for slash burning in the late 1960s. Inspired by US weapons research, Forestry Tasmania wanted to ignite logging slash from 4 to 5 km away. The idea was further promoted by Phil Shepherd in a series of reports in 1973. In 1975, PhilContinue reading “Star Wars.”
Gallipoli Oak.
Most Australians would have heard the legendary story of the solitary Turkish Pine (Pinus brutia) that grew on the slopes of the Gallipoli Peninsula made famous as marking the site of the Battle of Lone Pine in August 1915. But few may have heard about the Gallipoli Oak (Quercus coccifera subsp. Calliprinos) that grew along the ridges and valleys.Continue reading “Gallipoli Oak.”
Macedon Avenue of Honour.
On ANZAC Day we gather to remember those who served our country. We may attend a dawn service, go to a march, wear some precious family medals, or lay a wreath at a cenotaph. We may even follow with a cold frothy or two and a game of two-up at our local RSL. But acrossContinue reading “Macedon Avenue of Honour.”
Joseph Firth – Macedon Nursery.
Joseph Firth was born in the Orkney Islands in Scotland on 12 August 1854 and emigrated to Australia in 1872 when he was just 17. Joseph married Mary Ridden and arrived at Mount Macedon to begin a lifelong and distinguished career in horticulture, firstly as gardener at Glencairn and later at Government Cottage. In 1885,Continue reading “Joseph Firth – Macedon Nursery.”
Bill Middleton – Wail Nursery.
In the 1930s, the Forests Commission took a leading role in stabilising soils in the desert country of northwest Victoria ravaged by drought and excessive clearing of Mallee woodlands for farming. Revegetation works by the Commission using Cypress Pine were carried out in the dry Hattah – Kulkyne forests in 1937-38 but it was severelyContinue reading “Bill Middleton – Wail Nursery.”
Cobaw Bushfire Staff Ride.
“Walking in their shoes”. Staff Rides can trace their origins back to the Prussian Army after the Napoleonic Wars. They were adapted by the US military and then more recently by many American fire agencies. They are now considered an essential technique to develop senior leadership skills. The Cobaw Bushfire Staff Ride in 2011 wasContinue reading “Cobaw Bushfire Staff Ride.”
Cobaw Escaped Burn – April 2003.
The summer of 2002-03 had been one of the largest and most prolonged fire seasons for many years. Huge bushfires spread across the Victorian Alps, NSW and even into some Canberra suburbs where four people died and over 500 homes were lost. People and communities were angry and several state and federal government inquiries wereContinue reading “Cobaw Escaped Burn – April 2003.”
Forestours.
Forestours were launched by the Forests Commission Victoria (FCV) at Lakes Entrance in January 1977. A brainwave of Bairnsdale forester David Buntine, Forestours got their inspiration from the NSW Forestry Commission on the south coast which offered free self-drive, or tag-along tours on mostly gravel roads in State forest under the guidance of local forestryContinue reading “Forestours.”
World Forestry Day.
Today is World Forestry Day (WFD) which was proclaimed by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation over 50 years ago in 1971. It was set down for 21 March each year to coincide with the vernal equinox when the sun passes over the equator giving equal lengths of day and night. It also marksContinue reading “World Forestry Day.”
Victoria’s Forests & Bushfire Heritage 