Lost and Found: 1939 “Black Friday” Bushfires Royal Commission Evidence
The 1939 fires devastated Victoria and, until the fires of early this year, were the worst in Victoria’s history. The 1939 Royal Commission witness evidence gives a compelling insight into forest and fire management at the time.
A full transcript of the evidence was recently found at the University of Melbourne’s Creswick campus. This long-hidden document provides a fascinating contrast to the fires of February 2009.
Judge Leonard Stretton’s 1939 Royal Commission heard evidence in many city and country locations. The 2,600 pages of evidence convey the experience and opinions of the community, from graziers and foresters to sawmill owners, timber workers, and police.
This seminar, delivered by the Melbourne School of Land and Environment on Monday 9th November 2009, used the transcript to explore the striking similarities and differences between the past and current Royal Commission. Speakers included:
- Jack Rush, QC, Senior Counsel assisting the 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission
- Dr Kevin Tolhurst, Senior Lecturer – Fire Ecology and Management, on the similarities and differences between the 1939 and 2009 fires.
- Kate Darian-Smith, Professor of Australian Studies and History, on experiences and opinions in 1939 compared to now.
- Dr Leon Bren, Associate Professor – Department of Forest and Ecosystem Science, looking at the site of a major tragedy seventy years on.
Downloads
- Download the 1939 Bushfires Royal Commission: Report and Transcript of Evidence
- Presentation: Dr Kevin Tolhurst, Department of Forest and Ecosystem Science, 'Comparing the 1939 and 2009 fires' (PDF, 906Kb)
- Presentation: Associate Professor Leon Bren, Department of Forest Ecosystem Science: 'A site of the 1939 fires, 70 years on' (PDF, 3.66Mb)
- Listen to the event Podcast
Media Coverage
- 'Royal Commission lawyer reflects on 1939 fires', ABC News, 09/11/09
- 'New papers compare a history of fires', AAP, 09/11/2009
- 'Bushfire rebuild still years away', heraldsun.com.au, 10/11/09
If you have any enquiries please contact Marketing Coordinator Emma Clark on 8344 9751 or ecl@unimelb.edu.au.