AUSTRALIA'S ORIGINAL AND BEST CAMP OVEN AND OUTDOOR COOKING CAMPING AND LIFESTYLE FORUM

Jun 20^th, 2016 at 10:47pm

Kingbrown Offline
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Apart from the QLD Railway oven I wonder who else was issued ovens as part of their kit for works in the past and who made those ovens.
I have just had this section of an article pointed out to me by the author.

1960 As at 1 February 1960, Prickly-pear Destruction Commission supervisors were on £19.19.0 week, operators (pear-poisoners) in charge of a gang (2-10 men) were on £16.15.6 week, and under-operators were on £15.3.0 week. All 40 hr weeks. Operators’ camping allowance 9/- per night “when compelled to remain in camp on both working days and week-ends”. Supervisors received a slightly higher camping allowance. (All field staff were each supplied with a 9′ x 9′ marque tent, a steel stretcher and a hurricane lantern – sometimes even a camp oven.)

I find it interesting as a commercial spray operator myself that them old spray operators were supplied with a camp oven.
The writer of the article is going to see if he has any pics of their camp showing the ovens they used at the time for me. The writer started working for them in 1959 and was duly issued his oven.
As a side note the author also mentioned that he would put together a big stew on Monday night after work and reheat it for every meal for the whole week. All without refrigeration and no one ever got food poisoning or anything. personally I like to add some curry by about the third day Grin

Link to article
http://www.northwestweeds.com.au/prickly-pear-history/prickly-pear-history-ppdc/

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Reply #1 - Jun 21^st, 2016 at 9:50am

Derek Offline
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The "Camp Oven Cook"
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Very interesting Ron.

We have a daughter living in Chinchilla. The local historical museum has a big display all about the release of cactoblastis with heaps of photos.

While your reference is to NSW next time I am there will have a good look at what Qld did.

Could be quite interesting although it would appear in Qld that when camp ovens were issued to Govt workers they were from the old Bundaberg Foundry. Most people still call them either Main Roads or Railway Ovens.

Another mission of research me thinks.

Retired
Camp Oven Cook

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Reply #2 - Jun 21^st, 2016 at 4:00pm

poddy dodger Offline
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Recently I read a book about the dingo fence, the author drove the whole distance from the SA coast to somewhere in Queensland, quite an epic journey as he had to get permits from many authorities and permission from private land owners. On the way he met many "doggers" who live in the bush full time trapping dogs for the bounty with a small stipend from the state, no fresh rations and they rely on what they can shoot, rabbits, 'roo etc and maybe a bit of dog too.
After cooking breakfast they dig a hole, put in the coals from their fire, put their camp oven in, coals on top and a bit of corrugated iron over that and off to work. Coming back at night there's dinner, slow cooked and still hot. I think they would have had to provide their own camp oven, most government agencies were never known for their generosity.
Rob.

When I die I hope my missus doesn't sell my camp ovens for what I told her I paid for them. pd

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Reply #3 - Jun 21^st, 2016 at 4:08pm

TBF Offline
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Interesting Post Ron.

Aart

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Reply #4 - Jun 21^st, 2016 at 6:24pm

Chally Offline
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A lot of very interesting info.

Jeff

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Reply #5 - Jun 22^nd, 2016 at 1:45am

Kingbrown Offline
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Quote:

The local historical museum has a big display all about the release of cactoblastis with heaps of photos

The local weeds inspector wasnt very happy with me a couple of years ago when I wiped out his personal cactoblastis stock. The property had been in the hands of the bank for many years and so the cactus had over run it. Then someone bought it and got me in to treat it

No more cactus and no more cactoblastis!
My industry has had a pretty low survival rate for applicators at times in the past. Getting to my age was rare. I did notice how the chemicals of 24D and 245T were mentioned as a control measure used at one stage. You probably have previously heard this combination mentioned by its other name, Asian Orange!
Another interesting thing that was used as a farm agriculture back in the twenties in the US was nicotine. It was probably the best insecticide to have ever been used. Unfortuantely it was just as deadly on the applicators as it was on the insects. Turns out it is one of the most toxic chemicals known to man.
I am glad that methods have improved in the industry since the pic below was taken.

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Reply #6 - Jun 22^nd, 2016 at 9:00am

Chally Offline
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Boiling arsenic; I wonder how long that poor bloke lived.

Jeff

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Reply #7 - Jun 22^nd, 2016 at 6:54pm

mikel Offline
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Rob.
When we were opal mining in SW Qld. being just outside the dingo fence we got to know the local fence maintenance bloke from Windorah.
Favorite camp tucker whilst out on the fence was plains turkey and "little pig" being echidna.
Those little buggers able to lift a ton are the scourge of the fence blokes digging/lifting the fence netting creating an access easily enlarged.
Chris and I have eaten both the above cooked in a camp oven by our old mate from Windorah.
Is it ok to say "bloody delicious" in these PC times? Shocked

michael

life is a bed of gidgee coals and a camp oven

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Reply #8 - Jun 22^nd, 2016 at 8:18pm

poddy dodger Offline
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Yeah mikel, fence maintenance contractors not doggers is what they are, a hard solitary life for those that choose it.
Watched LandLine last week and dingos and wild dogs numbers are at an all time high both sides of the fence, they do huge damage in the high country.
Rob.

When I die I hope my missus doesn't sell my camp ovens for what I told her I paid for them. pd

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Reply #9 - Jul 29^th, 2016 at 5:25pm

Stump Jump Offline
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ovens
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Years ago l knew a New Zealand Forestry Service worker who in the 50's and 60's worked as a professional hunter culling deer in dense forests of the South Island who recalled that most of their huts were equipped by the service with camp ovens. I have also seen photographs of these men using camp ovens to cook damper in these huts. The ovens looked very similar to Metters 12" in size and styling.

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