Category Archives: People

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.”

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.”

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.”

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.”

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.”

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.”

This pack saddle was thought to be owned by the Forests Commission and used by fireguards from Orbost at remote fire towers like Stringers Knob, or by forest assessors measuring stands of timber. They could spend up to a week away at time and the saddle was designed to be secured on the back ofContinue reading “Pack Saddle.”

The forestry and spatial science worlds are deeply saddened and shocked by the sudden passing of Dr Peter Wyndham Woodgate on Friday 23rd December 2022. Peter was much admired and loved by his colleagues and friends. He dedicated his career to the study of forests and the use of spatial technologies, with his work havingContinue reading “Vale – Dr Peter Woodgate.”

The Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM) is awarded by the Governor General on both Australia Day and Queens Birthday and recognises distinguished service by members of Australian fire services. Congratulations to those many firefighters across the nation that have been awarded today. But it’s been two years (and four missed opportunities) since a Victorian forestContinue reading “Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM).”

Albert Eli Lind was born on 21 February 1878 at East Charlton in northwest Victoria, but drought drove the family to East Gippsland in 1882 where they settled. Albert attended Lucknow and Bairnsdale State schools and found work in the hop and maize fields. At 12 he was apprenticed to local builders and later selfContinue reading “Sir Albert Lind.”

David Parnaby graduated from the Victorian School of Forestry (VSF) in 1940 and initially worked for the Forests Commission’s Assessment Branch. He later had postings to Heathcote, Powelltown, Dandenong’s, Bruthen and Beechworth Districts. Promoted as District Forester in 1951, David moved to Cann River, and then later back to Heathcote (1955), Castlemaine (1958) and DaylesfordContinue reading “Parnaby Doodlings.”

The creation of the State Forest Department (SFD) in 1907 represented the most significant institutional reform in Victoria’s history of forest and bushfire management up to that point. The fledgling department had only 66 staff and faced formidable challenges, including protecting ecosystems about which little was scientifically understood, and responsibility for vast areas of rugged,Continue reading “Bjarne Dahl.”

Stan McDougall, soldier and forester, was born in Recherche in Tasmania on 23 July 1889 and became a blacksmith. Illness prevented him from enlisting in the AIF until 31 August 1915 when he was posted to the 12th Reinforcements of the 15th Battalion. In Egypt, on 3 March 1916, he was drafted into the 47thContinue reading “Stanley Robert McDougall VC.”

The Australian War Memorial (AWM) holds over 90 artworks of Colin Colahan. Colahan was born in Victoria in 1897 and gave up medical studies to attend the National Gallery School in 1917. He moved to Europe in 1935 and never returned to Australia. In London in August 1942, he was appointed as an official AustralianContinue reading “Colin Colahan – War Artist.”

Soon after the outbreak of World War Two, the British Government requested experienced forestry soldiers from Australia, New Zealand and Canada to be deployed in France as part of the British Expeditionary Force. But the French Government had stipulated that they must be commanded by trained foresters so that the wasteful cutting and forest destructionContinue reading “Forestry Companies.”