Listed below are selected extracts from the Royal Commission report written by Judge Leonard Stretton, who was selected to lead the inquiry into the 1939 Victoria bushfires.

You can read about the cause of the fires, the evidence given, the role of the Forest Commission, and other general findings in the Report.

Judge Stretton’s was instructed to specifically inquire into the causes of and measures taken to prevent the 1939 bushfires, and to protect life and property and the measures to be taken to prevent bushfires in Victoria and to protect life and property in the event of future bushfires.

The final report into the 1939 bushfires was presented to both Houses of Parliament by His Excellency’s Command in Victoria in 1939.

On fire prevention
There has been no paramount fire authority in this State to interest itself in these matters. It is suggested that such authority ought to be constituted without delay. It is a strange fact that the law designed for the prevention of fires has by the unsuitability of its specific terms and the ill-considered use of the power of proclamation conferred by it been a fruitful cause of bushfires.

Throughout the State there is an attitude of apathy towards fire prevention. It is impossible to prevent the outbreak of bush-fires as long as mankind pursues his manifold interests in the bush.

On causes of the fires
No one cause may properly be said to have been the sole cause. The major, over-riding cause, which comprises all others, is the indifference which forest fires, as a menace to the interests of us all, have been regarded. They have been considered to be matters of individual interest, for treatment by individuals.

On settlers
Settlers, miners and graziers are the most prolific fire-causing agents. The percentage of fires caused by them far exceeds that of any other class. Their firing is generally deliberate. All other firing is, generally, due to carelessness.

On dug-outs
Many of the millers objected strongly to the installation of dug-outs. The dug-outs were to have been constructed at the miller's expense.

On bushfire and erosion
The common weal is most grievously threatened by erosion. In other countries, it has forced itself upon the people's notice as a devastating agent more capable of causing lasting damage than an army invading the land with gas and artillery.

On education
Probably the best means of prevention and protection is that of education, both of adults and children. It is with the children of to-day that future forest safety lies. It is not the province of this Report to seek to occupy the field of pedagogics. But it is suggested that the dull lecture form of education will fail.

Read more about the role of bushfire eduction in the Aftermath Section

On the forest itself
The forest is not static and the protecting hand of man can never be idle.

Read more about Judge Stretton’s findings in the Aftermath Section