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.”

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.”

Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM).

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).”

Parnaby Doodlings.

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.”

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

Bjarne Dahl.

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.”

Stanley Robert McDougall VC.

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.”

Colin Colahan – War Artist.

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.”

Forestry Companies.

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.”