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.”
Category Archives: Forests
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”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
Toolangi Forest Discovery Centre.
The magnificent Toolangi Forest Discovery Centre (TFDC) was opened by the Minister for Natural Resources, Geoff Coleman, nearly 30 years ago on 14 February 1994 but its origins can be traced back many decades earlier. During the late 1960s, the Forests Commission Victoria (FCV) started to dip-its-toe into the world of public information and schools’Continue reading “Toolangi Forest Discovery Centre.”
Swashway Jetty.
Snake Island is Victoria’s largest sand island and is named after its elongated serpent shape, rather than the many slithering danger noodles that often lurk in the thick t-tree scrub. The place also abounds with introduced hog deer, migratory birds, koalas and gazillions of pesky mozzies. The uninhabited island is situated within Corner Inlet inContinue reading “Swashway Jetty.”
Forests and Bushfire History of Victoria – Series 3 (2022)
Here is a collection of nearly 100 stories posted on FB over this year.As with series one and two, another free e-book has been lodged in the State and National Library so the stories aren’t lost in the Facebook soup.Please feel free to download and/or share the link… https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3133168195/ Or here…https://drive.google.com/file/d/1F4F8drvu2F3TiIK98X-tOn5aUzSbaTeW/view?usp=sharing
Alpine Walking Track.
The State Government held an interest in developing tourism in the Victorian Alps as far back as the early part of last century, which at the time were considered as “Wastelands of the Crown”. A ministerial tour on horseback was arranged in March 1915 to develop firm proposals, but intervention of WW1 a few weeksContinue reading “Alpine Walking Track.”
Jensen’s wood yard – Fitzroy.
There were once over 500 of these wood yards across Melbourne. During the Victorian Firewood Emergency from 1941 to 1954 nearly two million tons was produced from Victoria’s State forests and delivered to major depots by special freight trains. Anton Jensen’s wood yard was at the Fitzroy siding on the now dismantled inner circle railway.Continue reading “Jensen’s wood yard – Fitzroy.”
FEAR Branch
About one-third of Victoria, or about 7.1 million hectares, is publicly owned native forest. Under Section 50 of the Forest Act, it was possible for the Forests Commission to set aside reserves, usually for recreation or the conservation of natural features. In 1957 the area covered by this provision was quite small being only 700Continue reading “FEAR Branch”
Charles Thomas Smith.
Charles was born in January 1899 at Yarragon in Gippsland. Following graduation in 1917 from the Victorian School Forestry VSF) Charles enlisted in the AIF (#57139) on 17 April 1918. After embarkation on 16 June and arrival in Egypt where he underwent additional training and was allotted to the now famous 4th Light Horse RegimentContinue reading “Charles Thomas Smith.”
Romain and Gilbert Smith.
Romain Smith was born in 1891 at Waterloo near Beaufort. Romain saw active service during World War 1 after enlisting on 2 February 1915 at Bendigo (#696). He described his occupation as government fencer. He joined the 22nd Battalion AIF and embarked on 8 May 1915. His army records show that Romain got into aContinue reading “Romain and Gilbert Smith.”
Remembrance Day.
Today is special for Australians, young and old, for many different reasons. The custom across the British Empire of observing a minute’s silence on Remembrance Day is largely due to Australian soldier and journalist Edward George Honey. A small unassuming plaque can be found near the Shrine of Remembrance in Birdwood Ave. Edward never returnedContinue reading “Remembrance Day.“