91 Forestry Squadron “Woodpeckers”

91 Forestry Squadron, when it was formed in 1952, was the only Forestry Squadron in the Australian Army. The Forests Commission of Victoria sponsored 91 Forestry Squadron (SR), which was then a supplementary reserve unit of the Royal Australian Engineers (RAE) in Victoria and was initially established and commanded by Major Ben Benallack a wartime forester who served with the 2/2 Forestry Company during WWII.

The “Woodpeckers” as they were known, comprised of a small pool of specialised soldiers capable of rapid mobilisation in the event of a need.

Several other Victorian departments such as the State Electricity Commission (SEC) and the Country Roads Board (CRB) did the same thing by supporting a construction squadron based at Newborough in the Latrobe Valley. This created a very active and capable part- time military group that completed many worthy projects across the State.

The 91 Forestry Squadron established and operated portable bush sawmills, built numerous timber bridges, logging roads and various demolition tasks. Many Forest Commission employees and others from the forestry sector served long periods in this proud unit under their “Woody” badge.

After the Forest Commission was privatised the (SR) was dropped and 91 Forestry Squadron continued until 1992 when it became part of 91 Resources Squadron and in 1994 it became 91 Forestry Troop in the new 55 Resources Squadron, then in 1999 amalgamated with 105 Construction Squadron and but was then disbanded.

91 Forestry Squadron (Woodpeckers) at Powelltown in 1977

On the ANZAC weekend in 1977, 91 Forestry Squadron held an exercise at Fred and Ad Kobiolke’s saw mill at Gildroy near Powelltown. (photos attached)

A relationship was born then between the Kobiolke brothers and 91 Forestry Squadron, with Les Lasham, who was also one of the Upper Yarra Forest Districts most experienced overseers and District senior forester Geoff Evans who were trying to find evidence of the timber tramlines that ran through the Powelltown area which were slowly deteriorating.

After meeting with the Kobiolke brothers, a story emerged about an abandoned tram, comprising ten sets of ‘bogies’, that had been left on a branch tramline near the High Lead on Doweys Spur Rd, following the 1939 bushfires.

Photographs were taken, and then two ‘bogies’ were carefully disassembled, and subsequently re-crafted at the District workshop by carpenter Fred Newcombe – the bogies being chosen to display two variations of the rudimentary braking-systems in use on the tramways at the time.

Meanwhile, the 91st Forestry Squadron had cut the timber to be used in the display.

The existing wayside stop opposite the FCV Powelltown office, on the Noojee Road, was used and, to this day, a rebuilt loaded ‘carriage’ can be viewed there.(last photo attached)

Sources;

Swan Street Sappers compiled by Rob Youl, ex OC of 91 Forestry Sqn,

Victoria’s Forestry Heritage – Victoria’s Timber Tramlines – A Postscript – A ‘Walk into History’ by Geoff Evans and Mike Leonard,

2/2 Forestry Company RAE by Peter McHugh and

A Word from the Woodpeckers by Maj L.P. Malseed, also an ex OC 91 Forestry Sqn.

Photos have been kindly donated to the RAEAV collection for safekeeping by the Woodpeckers Association.

Mel Constable, RAEAV

Photo Collection PV 502