National-Safety-Council-of-Australia-former-members

Above: TAFE Gippsland's Doug Hadden, at left, is pictured with former members of the National Safety Council of Australia at the handover of the wall map and framed cheque

Historical artefacts depicting a colourful period in Gippsland’s history have long been preserved at TAFE Gippsland’s Fulham campus.

In the 1980’s, Fulham campus was once the home of the elite safety and rescue body, the National Safety Council of Australia (NSCA), and its enigmatic leader, John Friedrich.

Mr Friedrich’s personal history and subsequent downfall has been well documented in Australian history, however some specific items from his time at Fulham are now to be preserved in a local Armed Forces museum which incorporates a section dedicated to the NSCA.

Former NSCA officer and local identity, Barry Whitehead, has led the effort to have the large map of Australia and a framed cheque from those days donated to the museum that will celebrate the NSCA’s place in aviation history.

Barry said the former NSCA workforce would appreciate the artefacts being preserved and available for public display.

“The map was a feature of John Friedrich’s office and showed all the NSCA bases around Australia. TAFE Gippsland have preserved the map in location for thirty years in recognition of its historical significance,” Barry said.

“The framed NSCA cheque issued by the State Bank of Victoria is an ironic memento of the relationship between the NSCA and the banks.”

Barry and former NSCA colleagues, Mark Allen, Peter Norder, Andrew Jones, Steve Allison and Greg McMillan visited Fulham on Friday 25 February to receive the items from TAFE Gippsland’s Sale-based Facilities Manager Doug Hadden.

They thanked Doug for his great efforts in preserving the items. According to Barry, it was well known at TAFE Gippsland by anyone who occupied that office that you could alter whatever you like, but you couldn't touch the huge map!

Barry said the items may be viewed along with a collection of NSCA memorabilia at the Armed Forces Museum, West Sale on Saturdays, Sundays or Mondays from 10am till 4pm.

The museum is located at West Sale aerodrome (north of the Fulham campus) and Barry Whitehead says that formed NSCA employees and interested members of the public will be very pleased to know that the National Safety Council's story will live on in the museum's NSCA display section.


For all media related enquiries, call;
Neil Lawson - Communications Coordinator, TAFE Gippsland
Phone - 0419 425 804
Email - nlawson@tafegippsland.edu.au or news@tafegippsland.edu.au