The Black Friday bushfires on 13 January 1939 where nearly 2 million hectares burnt , 69 sawmills were destroyed , 71 people died and several towns were entirely obliterated became a landmark in the history of the State of Victoria and a major turning point in the story of the Forests Commission . Galbraith remained Chairman throughout this difficult period and the subsequent Royal Commission headed by Judge Leonard Stretton
Black Friday bushfires
Black Friday bushfires
Alfred Vernon Galbraith