To all those who answered my recent query re bushfires at the Prom in 1939: especially, Eric, Carl, Jenny, Ruth, Richard and David, I've received the answer from my original enquirer who had been called away from the Prom to fight the recent fires in the remote high country. The Victorian Naturalist (date unknown) carried a story on historic fire events in Wilsons Promontory beginning with the first recorded wildfire observed from a ship rounding the southern end of the park in January 1863. This was reported in the Gippsland Guardian at the time. Outbreaks were recorded over the years but in the summer of 1939, a fire 'started between Darby Saddle and Squeaky Bay, burnt two-thirds of park over a week, including extensive areas of heath south of Mt Hunter, east of airstrip, but not Sealers Cove, Lilly Pilly Gully or Mt Vereker [24.4.39] (Foster Mirror 27.7.39, Age 13.1.39).' Thank you all for your suggestions and interest. Cheers Shirley

Congratulations Shirley, Your tenacity has paid off. Just goes to show that some big events can dominate history at the expense of smaller less publicised or remembered events. It would be unusual to say the least if the only bushfires in the summer of 1938/39 were on Black Friday and you've proven it. Jenny ________________________________________________________________________ More new features than ever. Check out the new AOL Mail ! - http://webmail.aol.com