Control Post Bairnsdale (Zone GJ) was part of No. 1 Volunteer Air Observers Corps which was formed on Monday 9 November 1942. June Anderson believes that the Apex Club of Bairnsdale provided the first volunteers for the Control Post at Bairnsdale in early 1942, and within a month another 30 had volunteered who were mainly women.

June's mother, Mrs. Doris Anderson (nee Cole), was a very busy volunteer and engaged in roster work besides shifts, and her father helped at night. At that stage Mr. Ian Anderson was working at Macarthurs, a stock and station agent.

Inside the Control Post, Court House Bairnsdale in 1945

Mr. J. H.(Jim) Foard (The Commandant), Miss Marie
Ammitzboll, and Mrs. Ian Anderson (nee Doris Cole).

Outside the Control Post, Court House Bairnsdale in 1945

L to R:- Unknown, Miss Marie Ammitzboll, Mrs. Ian Anderson
 (nee Doris Cole), and Mr J. H. (Jim) Foard (The Commandant).\

On 6 March 1944, a special 2nd birthday celebration dinner was held at the Mechanics Institute with over 250 people attending, including a number of top brass RAAF officers. It was reported in the Bairnsdale Advertiser, on Friday, 10 March 1944. Mrs. Anderson worked closely with Mr. J. H. Foard, the Commandant, throughout this part of the war effort, and he lived next door to June's grandfather, Mr. E. V. (Ted) Cole. He with his brother and nephews had a hardware store and timber yard in Bairnsdale.

Mrs. Ian Anderson cutting the cake and to her right is Mr. J. H. Foard (The Commandant)

2nd birthday dinner on 6 March 1944 at the Mechanics Institute, Bairnsdale

2nd birthday dinner on 6 March 1944 at the Mechanics Institute, Bairnsdale