History
The Development of Fire Brigades in the Alexandra district
Prepared for Alexandra Redgate History Book Update and the Murrindindi Historic Register by Peter Rice
The Early Years.
During the early 1870s the town of Alexandra was growing with buildings being erected throughout the newly surveyed settlement. The majority were wooden structures although some larger brick buildings were appearing and more were planned. The new hospital building was completed during 1871.
Water supplies were a problem with the variable flows of the UT Creek being the main source. Reticulated water supplies would not be available for some decades.
Due to the nature of the buildings and the reliance on wood fires for cooking and heating and candles for illumination it was not uncommon for these buildings to ignite and total destruction was the usual outcome.
Since Victoria was first settled a number of major fires had occurred with Black Thursday being fresh in quite a few minds. On that day, 6th February 1851, fires burnt across most of southeast Australia with 47 degree Celsius temperatures being recorded and gale force, hot northerly winds. A few years earlier, a complete block in Melbourne had been destroyed on 16th July 1845, in one of the most historically significant structure fires to occur ever in the State. Victorias first fire brigade developed as a result of this inferno with the Melbourne Fire Prevention Society being formed within a few weeks.
In country, Victoria fire brigades were established at Geelong in February 1854 and later the same year at Sandhurst and Creswick and in 1856 at Ballarat and 1857 at Ararat. As Victoria developed, another 24 brigades came into being up until 1873.
The immigrant population had not learnt to live with fire like the aborigines who used it as a tool for fire prevention with regular cool burns being conducted to reduce the risk. In fact, on the 23rd February 1854, the Victorian Parliament passed an Act to restrain the careless, negligent and reckless use of fire. This Act was passed a little more than two and half years after Victoria became a separate colony.
At around 2-30am on Monday morning 4th November 1872, with calm weather conditions, inhabitants of Alexandra were aroused from their beds with the cry of fire. Hamea`s Corner hotel (later the Commercial) at the corner of Grant and Downey streets was thoroughly ablaze. The lessee, his wife (who risked herself by rushing back inside to rescue a child) and the eight lodgers escaped.
The hotel owner, A. F. Fletcher, lost the entire building. With little water to fight the fire and no equipment the fire continued its spread south along the eastern side of the main street taking in its path the privately operated library, Halls store (housing gunpowder), the Alexandra Hotel, Raphaels auction rooms, Moons mining offices, Pat Buggys Harp of Erin Hotel, Cooks saddlery, Plummers butcher shop, John Levys Montezuma Hotel, Jobson store and the Union bank plus a few residences.
These buildings represented half the shopping centre and by sunrise, all that remained was 30 chimneys and a pile of ashes. John Peterkins private fire appliance was used effectively to save the buildings on the western side and, fortunately, these were unscathed although threatened for a period.
At one stage the towns people resorted to one of the age old principles of firefighting remove the fuel in its path. Ropes were tied to Mrs Pattons cottage and it was literally moved to the other side of the street. This was common procedure for these fires in that day. Many were not covered by insurance and the losses were estimated at 6000 pounds, which was a very significant figure for the era.
The long term outcome from this fire was better buildings and improved fire consciousness. Local resident Mr Coster had been trying to convince the shire council prior that there was a need for a hook and ladder scheme. Others had been advocating for a water well and tank for the main street area near the Montezuma Hotel. The cost of both would have been about 300 pounds but no action had been taken.
As a result of the fire, and, following an investigation by police superintendent Reid, from Mansfield, a judicial inquiry was held which determined the fire started in rooms 8 or 9 of the Corner Hotel but the actual cause could not be determined.
The following year repeated attempts were made to burn down a number of buildings in the same area including the large Eldorado Block. A public meeting followed which demanded the police conduct patrols throughout the nights. On The 7th August 1873, two local youths by the names of Williams and Irwin appeared in the Alexandra Police Court charged with various arson offences.
During December 1873, a petition of residents requested the Alexandra Shire Council to call and conduct a public meeting to consider the formation of a fire brigade or hook and ladder scheme for the town of Alexandra
The meeting, in the council chambers, was held on 22nd December 1873. The meeting decided to form a brigade. The objectives and rules were drafted and members names recorded.
On Monday, 2nd February 1874, the brigade conducted its first monthly meeting with Captain Radford Huddle as officer in charge. In excess of 20 members attended.
To this day, the Alexandra Urban Fire Brigade still conducts its meetings on the same day each month, the first Monday, with monthly meetings having been conducted continuously since 1874.
A few months later during May, 1874 the main street again suffered when another outbreak of fire caused the loss of additional buildings, however, reports indicate that the formation of a fire brigade, with discipline, expertise and training, paid dividends as this fire was contained after a prolonged battle. There had, however, been some problems as Captain Huddle and three members resigned immediately after the incident.
Regular training for members had commenced and records indicate a common drill was for the fireman to don their new red uniforms, form up and march to the race course where a member climbed a tree and others then had to supply a continuous supply of water, using buckets, to the top of the tree.
By June 1874 Maurice Raphael, local real estate agent and auctioneer, had become captain. Raphael had been a member of Ballarat Brigade earlier and is credited with most of the early development. He was also involved in many other local organisations. Sadly, he died, aged 46 in 1877. His tombstone at the Alexandra cemetery indicates his parents names as Phillip and Elizabeth and he had seventeen brothers and sisters.
In the years that followed the brigade prospered and towards the turn of the century the members of the Alexandra brigade became involved in the demonstrations (later known as championships) all over the state. The brigade was very successful winning many trophies. Firefighting equipment, though very basic was accrued, and amounted to items including axes, kerosene torches, uniforms, ladders , canvas hose, hydrants, branches/nozzles & a wire strainer.
The erection of a fire bell on a small tower in the main street near the library, adjacent to the UT creek, was a major move forward to alert brigade members of the existence of a fire call. A continuous tolling of the bell indicated an urban fire call and three tolls followed by a pause was the message alerting residents of a bushfire in the district. This historic bell is nowadays situated in front of the existing Joint Emergency Services Facility in Shamrock Street, Alexandra.
Urban firefighting capabilities escalated significantly with the laying of water mains throughout the central town area in 1900. Around this time, the brigade acquired a hose reel. This equipment, still used in fire brigade championships today, and remaining available currently for the Alexandra Urban Fire Brigade, enables a few hundred metres of 64 mm canvas fire hose to be taken to a fire scene, with hydrants, branches and nozzles. Very effective, however, the disadvantage being the reel had to be pulled by firefighters to the scene, either running or walking and usually panting. It could often prove a problem when the fire was uphill from the fire station, and the Alexandra Station was located in one of the lowest areas in town. Pity help the members if the call was up the hill to the hospital or the Catholic Church!
The earliest recollection of the Alexandra fire shed is a building located in Perkins Street behind the library. The brigade also hosted demonstrations in the same area, near the shed, for many years, this being the running track for many visiting brigades until the 1960s.
To better coordinate urban fire brigades throughout Victoria the Country Fires Board was formed in 1891, however, the Alexandra brigade decided to stay as a unaffiliated brigade until 1st January 1911.
Towards the end of the 1920s the small shed serving as the Alexandra fire station was becoming inadequate and around 1930 the Country Fire Brigades Board let a tender for a new building to be constructed at 2 Webster Street, just above where the bowling green was situated (the site of the current shire offices).
The new Alexandra fire Station was located on a clay bank and this was soon levelled. Within days of the builder starting, the prefabricated building, with external weatherboarding was complete. This building, apart from becoming the focal point for fire suppression, also, due to its facilities, became a dance hall and a regular venue for card nights and other social events ,the brigade members promoting these events and the brigade benefiting from the proceeds. Members also had to be in attendance on fire duty, by law, when films were being screened at the local cinema in the Shire Hall for many years, during this period.
Alexandras First Motor Vehicle
During the late 1930s the brigade acquired its first motor appliance. This vehicle, a 1925 Dodge, 4 cylinder, open cab, fitted with a bell, was a hose carriage and firemans transport vehicle only, nevertheless, it often proved better than having to run a reel. Reports indicate that it was often handy that the fire station was on a hill as it was frequently necessary to push it out of the station and to roll it down the hill to get it started. The crash gearbox was a real challenge.
This truck was replaced by an Austin Series 1 fitted with a Thompson front mounted pump around 1950. The pumping capability of the Austin appliance, 350 gpm (1600 lpm), was a significant step forward as the brigade could now boost from the town water mains and draught water from static supplies.
During the late 1950s to 1974 the brigade operated a childrens merry go round, converted from a A Model Ford, as a fund raiser at many local events.
In 1975, the Alexandra Urban Fire Brigade belatedly celebrated its centenary of existence and the completion of a new station meeting room with a dinner and torchlight parade.
On 4th December 1999, the brigade moved from its outdated, cramped premises in Webster Street to a large, new facility in Shamrock Street. This building opened on 27th February 2000, by the Victorian Police & Emergency Services Minister the Hon. Andre. Haeymeyer MLA, is shared with the Alexandra Rural Fire Brigade, The Alexandra Unit of the State Emergency Service and the Alexandra District Fire Brigades Group. The land for the facility was formally Shire council land set aside for community purposes. At this time, the title of the former fire station site in Webster Street was transferred to the Shire by the Country Fire Authority as part of a land transfer agreement.
The brigade has been involved in numerous major fires over the decades. Membership, since the start, has always remained between 20 and 30 members drawn from community minded volunteers who are residents.
Timber mill fires have figured prominently, with a number recorded, at the various mills in Alexandra. On 9th June 1946, a major fire occurred at G. E. Courtneys Motors & A. E. Howells furniture store in Grant Street. Then again, on 19th May 1957 a major fire almost destroyed the Alexandra Hospital one cold Sunday morning. On average the brigade responds to around 30 - 40 structure fires and other incidents annually, based on figures over the second half of the 1900s.
Additionally, the brigade has been heavily involved in combating the many grass and forest fires throughout the district since the early days of formation, including the major outbreak that severely threatened the town and district on 8th January 1969. Nowadays, brigade members are involved in a diverse range of specialist roles, as well as basic firefighting, and assist in other parts of the state when needed. Considerable emphasis is placed on safety, training, risk management and public education whilst adhering to the established principles of comradeship, teamwork, discipline and commitment .
Some of the early brigade officers were:
W. Docking (captain) for many years to 1926, B. Hubbard (captain) 1926-27, T. Wirth (captain) 1927-35, E. M. (Ted) Stillman (captain) 1935-72, S.T. (Toby) Reynolds (lieutenant) 1949-72 and then from 1972 to 1985 as captain, William Leslie Stillman (secretary) 1911-41, B. J. (Bernie) O`Brien (secretary) 1942-67.
The districts connection with forest industries has meant the area has always had a very close affinity with the Victorian Forests Commission and its successors since inception. That body (and its replacements) has always been heavily involved in fire prevention and suppression in this area.
Volunteers from district fire brigades, ever since they were established, have worked in tandem with their forestry counterparts, usually very cooperatively. In fact, at the start of the 20th century, there were few fire brigades in the rural areas of Victoria.
Outside Alexandra, the Yarck Bush Fire Brigade was the first to be formed in the area. This occurred in 1902. The area had been burnt, and under threat, from fires repeatedly during the previous twenty years. In 1887 a large bushfire had burnt through the Molesworth area, again in 1889 the area had suffered with an outbreak in the Yea, Molesworth and Yarck districts. In February 1894, another blaze started near Switzerland and travelled through the Cathkin Estate to Yarck.
The 1st February 1898 was such an appalling day that it became known as Red Tuesday. The holocaust that day devastated thousands of square miles of country; killed at least 12 people and left more than 1500 families homeless. Gippsland was particularly affected along with the Lilydale area. 1899 saw more bushfires around Yea and Molesworth. Then on the 26th January 1900 the Commonwealth Day fire, believed to have been started by wax matches, burnt through the Yea, Molesworth and Yarck areas. It was confined mainly to bush but burnt for nearly three weeks. It is believed to have burnt an area greater than the huge fire that devastated the district on 8th January 1969.
At the Yarck Brigade formation meeting, held on 29th January 1902, the following were in attendance. Messrs. Coghill, W. Payne, T & E Grogan, T. Creighton, J. Murray, H. Fox, W. Hogg, J. Wright, J. Goodyear, J. Mc Pherson and others.
Two days later, another fire occurred near the Yarck township that burnt thousands of acres, and considerable stock and fencing. One farmer, F. Wightman, who was milking 90 cows at the time, was particularly badly effected.
The first recorded Yarck brigade officers election was on 22nd December 1939. Those appointed were :-
President Cr. Fox, Vice Presidents A. Barnewall & R. Cumming, Captain J. Blakeney, Secretary J. Embling, Treasurer F. Almond. In 1940, W. Mc Guigan became captain followed in 1947 by A. Blakeney.
Fires plagued Victoria throughout the first two decades of the twentieth century and, in deed, the Alexandra district. The summer of 1925-26 was a disaster. Fires started in the Rubicon area in mid December and were still burning by the end of February. Other fires were burning at Toolangi, Healesville & Marysville through to Mt Buffalo and it was feared many of the blazes might join together. The township of Kinglake was almost destroyed . The Black Spur was closed. Constable Bartholomew of Healesville police had to retreat after attempting to get through to Marysville. By the time rain brought some relief on 27th February 1926 thirty three people were dead or missing.
Following these devastating fires in 1925/26, the Forests Commission, with the cooperation of the Country Fire Brigades Board, the Police and Lands Departments started a State wide campaign to encourage communities to set up bush fire brigades, and to standardise their operations and equipment. The Forests Commission assisted the brigades with the provision of fire beaters, slashers, axes, water bags, rakes and other gear.
In 1927-28 there were 106 Bush Fire Brigades registered in Victoria, by 1932-33, there were 270, in 1945 (the first year of the operation of the Country Fire Authority) the number had grown to 776 rural brigades (as they are now known) and 185 urban brigades that had previously been part of the former Country Fire Brigades Board.
The Bush Fire Brigades Association was formed during 1928 to better coordinate the work of the bushfire brigades and to standardise procedures across Victoria. During 1933 legislation was passed creating a Bush Fire Brigades Board with power to register brigades and the ability to give certain powers to bush fire brigade officers.
Locally, in 1923, another brigade had been established at Taggerty although no records existed until 1928. In 1928 Mr Fred Walker was elected captain. Fenton George Gerraty, the local forest officer, became secretary. Mr Gerraty became well known across Victoria during the 1950s as chairman of the Forest Commission of Victoria.
In 1932 Mr Ernest Webb became captain, a position he retained untill 1952.
A furphy tank was purchased in 1935 and three years later a knapsack pump. During this period the brigade only attended fires within 5 miles (8 kilometres) of Taggerty unless an executive meeting deemed otherwise.
The Taggerty brigade was heavily involved with the 1939 fires working in both the Black and Blue Ranges. The brigade became part of the CFA immediately it formed in 1944.
In 1952 Alan Andrew became captain and a year later he was replaced by Thomas Sharrock who remained in the position to 1965 when Norman Williamson served a term. Other more recent captains have included I. Friday, D.Fitzroy, P. Kerr, M.Edwards and M. Dunn.
Whilst Tom Sharrock was captain, the brigade experienced difficulties being issued with equipment by the CFA, owing to a Forestry Commission depot being located at Taggerty. A number of small fire units were built up at the local garage operated by Mr Bob Wraith. They consisted of a small engine driving a gear pump and mounted on a 44 gallon (200 litres) drum for placement on Land Rover trays. They were very successful and became known as the Taggerty Mosquito Fleet.
In 1967 the CFA issued Taggerty with its first tanker, a 1967 lend lease Chevrolet followed a year later with a replacement Blitz four wheel drive. The first fire station was built in 1969. Since then the brigade has been issued with updated tankers a number of times, has acquired a unit of its own, and occupied a new fire station in 1995 which was extended seven years later.
On 19 December 1931 at the Alexandra Country Fire Brigades Board fire station, a meeting resolved to form an Alexandra Bush Fire Brigade following a motion moved by F. Webb and seconded by C. F. Binns. This brigade to serve the rural areas outlying from the town of Alexandra and to try to improve bushfire control. Present at the meeting were Cr. R. J. Briggs (Chairman), Councillor Walsh and Messrs. T. Worth, M. Stevenson, F. Webb, J. F. Webb, C. F. Binns, Les Coller, A. G. (Ollie) Johnson, E. E. Payne, W. S. Walker, Wilson, H. Fitzroy, Stillman, H. Newman, Newman Snr., Harold Hall, Henry Hall, Palmer and L. A. Stillman. Cr. Briggs was elected President with Cr. Walsh as Vice President. Mr A. G. (Ollie) Johnson was elected Captain with Leslie Stillman being Secretary/Treasurer. Mr Stillman was also Secretary of the Alexandra Urban Brigade. T. Wirth, who was also the urban Captain, was appointed Apparatus Officer. Lieutenants elected were F. Webb (UT Creek), Mr Palmer (Johnsons Creek and E.E. Payne (Spring Creek).
Some of the items discussed at this brigade` s meetings over the years included:
-1931 - the need to take up with the Rubicon Lumber Co. the fire risks associated with their railway engine
-1939 - the decision to purchase an extra 50 fire beaters to bring the total to 150
-1941 - manpower difficulties presenting due to the war effort
-1942 - petrol ration tickets and the local fuel board policies
-1944 - fire hazards in the district and the need for the shire to act, and, information on 1st December that the Shire was able to provide a military truck for firefighting. The members decided to purchase parts to make it operational. Housing of unit discussed.
-1947 - advice at a meeting on 18th March, that CFA Regional Officer Carboon had registered the fire truck that morning. Presumably for Alexandra.
Storage of brigade equipment was a problem in the early days. When E. M. (Ted) Stillman, (who was also the Urban Captain at this time) was appointed Apparatus Officer in late 1939 the brigade made arrangements to rent a garage from him for this purpose.
Years later the equipment was moved to the Webster Street fire Station including the tanker and has been regularly updated and added to. The brigade has had Austins, an International, Hino & Isuzu trucks as well as purchasing a smaller slip on vehicle, which is regularly replaced.
Ollie Johnson served for many years as Captain as did Leslie Stillman and Roy Smith as secretaries. The brigade, has to date, had five subsequent Captains, including R. (Roy) Hall for around 20 years.
The fires hit the Rubicon area on 10th January 1939 claiming 12 lives and wiping out the timber mills and forests. Further lives were lost in the Narbethong area. It is estimated that up to two thirds of Victoria was burnt or threatened during these fires and across the State 71 lives were taken. They became known as the Black Friday fires.
These fires, plus memories of earlier disasters, played a major part in the State Government deciding to reorganise Victorian fire services. The Royal Commission held to investigate the disaster had strongly recommended major changes. A few years later legislation was enacted to form a Country Fire Authority.
Marysville and Buxton brigades formed during the 1930s, the former being an urban brigade. These two brigades were administered from Lilydale, CFA Region 13, along with Narbethong when that brigade was formed. This area was part of the Healesville Shire in those days whereas the other local brigades were controlled from Kilmore.
Buxton transferred first (1967) but it was not until 1984 that Marysville and Narbethong brigades were to come into to the Alexandra Shire and also CFA Region 12.
Records for the early days of fire brigades for the Buxton and Marysville area have not been kept, however, the first records available indicate the Marysville community elected the following at a meeting of the fire brigade held on 23rd April, 1942 President Fred Tonkin, Captain J. Wallace, Lieutenants J. Stammers & P. Postlewaite, Secretary W. King. On 28th January, 1943 the brigade was donated a stirrup pump and in October that year occupied its first fire station situated near the police station and school. The first fire truck was an ex-shire Blitz supplied in 1944. There is reference to an amalgamation of the Marysville urban and rural brigades during 1951.
Marysville township has experienced some major structure fires, many involving guesthouses, over the years. It is also in a fire prone area amongst forests and has often been threatened by wildfire.
Towards the end of the 20th century, under long serving captain Trevor Harrow, the Marysville brigade moved to its new joint facility on a different site in Barton Avenue. After years of effort and fundraising the brigade occupied new premises sharing with the Ambulance Service and Marysville Unit of the State Emergency Service this joint sharing being one of the first times this had occurred in Victoria. The brigade now boasts a number of modern firefighting vehicles and works closely with the forestry staff based at Marysville.
Buxton fire brigade records show that Maurice Keppel was Captain of the brigade for many years. Lieutenants during the early 1960s were Roly Fiske, Max Stephens and Frank Keppel whilst W. H. (Tim) Jones was the Communications Officer and Secretary was V. Edwards. Jack Jones was the Apparatus Officer and later Secretary for many years. Graham Fiske, as captain, led the brigade for a long period, in latter years, with Jack Jones as Secretary.
During 1966 the Buxton brigade received its first tanker, a Willys and at the same time a fire station. In recent years the building has been replaced and extended and the tanker has been updated a number of times.
The Narbethong Brigade was formed on the 27th August 1962. Officers elected were David Eastaugh (captain), Lieutenants were I. Bartlett, J. Foster, H. Wuttke and Jack Pitts as Apparatus Officer. Communications Officer was Harry Oxlee with J. Russell Gallagher as Secretary.
The first fire station was erected at Narbethong, on the existing station site, in 1970 and the first fire truck, a Willys, was supplied during 1968. Prior to the fire station, equipment was stored at a local cafe and service station and meetings were held at the hall. Don Lovett Snr. served the brigade for many years as its Captain and Communications Officer. A new fire station was erected during more recent years and has since been extended and the tanker has been replaced a number of times.
The forties saw many new brigades formed. In the district additional brigades were established to serve the Thornton, Acheron and Koriella areas.
Thornton brigade was formed on 26th January, 1940. First President was J. W. (Jim) ORourke with A. Nicholas and J. Mc Martin as Vice Presidents. Captain was Arch. Nicholas with Lieutenants being V. Sawers, J. Findlay and R. Tossol. Secretary and Treasurer was J. B. (Jack) ORourke with W. Baynes being Apparatus Officer.
At the meeting annual subscriptions for landowners was set at one shilling per hundred acres with the minimum being seven shillings and sixpence. Thornton Bush Fire Brigade started with four knapsacks, two dozen beaters, six rakes and six water bags. In time equipment stocks grew and eventually the CFA issued a tanker. The Austin tanker was garaged at the Captains property during the early years until the current fire station was erected near the recreation reserve. Jack Robb, a former Captain, recalls the early tanker as being somewhat unreliable. In addition to the above names many of the long established families were involved in the brigade in the formative years such as the Robbs, Rollasons, Gilmores, Nicholass, Patricks, Creightons, Sparkes, Scorahs, Findlays, Christies, Peters and Taylors, to name but a few.
The Acheron Bushfire Brigade was established towards the end of the 1930s and prior to World War 2. Initially, equipment consisted of a horse and cart and a furphy tank as well as beaters, rakes and a Billabong hand pump. The brigade was involved fighting the 1939 fires mainly in the Black Range area..
In fact, during these fires, the brigade had access to a motorcar, which came to be known as the brigade car. It was a Studebaker, which carried four firemen. During one late afternoon when the Acheron area was being threatened, during the 1939 fires, it was used to take men up Connollys Creek Road. The fire came through the bush quickly and the crew were lucky to escape - the heat from the inferno actually melting the fabric roof of the Studebaker.
The first recorded minutes of the Acheron brigade were in 1944, the year the CFA was formed. Officers elected at this meeting were President Arthur Webster, Secretary & Captain Alan Dobson, Lieutenants Tom Wilmot, Jack Andrews, and Alf Brown & Arthur Webster. Treasurer was C. Hillman who was also an Equipment Officer with Arthur Webster.
Bob Rennie, a former captain, recalls that in 1944, the brigade purchased some knapsacks and in 1945, the community of Acheron purchased for the brigade its first fire truck, which was an ex-army Blitz with a pump. The cost of the truck was 80 pounds and it was partly funded with a government grant. This truck remained in service well into the fifties and was eventually replaced by the CFA with a Willys.
The first fire station was erected on the site of the present modern building, beside the Acheron Hall. Part of the land was donated by the Connolly family (former tennis courts area) and the rest was purchased or donated by the Morell family.
For many years, during the period of manual telephone exchanges, the Acheron brigade members relied on a telephone party line to alert them of fire calls. A different ring was used to differentiate a fire call.
Along with many other areas the Acheron community suffered badly as a result of the huge fires of 8th January, 1969. A number of firefighters in the district received serious burns. After Bob Rennie, Laurie Purcell was the leader of the brigade for many years.
On the other side of Alexandra, it was decided, in 1948, to form a brigade to service the Koriella - Fawcett area. Areas such as Acheron, Koriella and along Whanregarwen Road had substantially, originally, been part of the Alexandra Bushfire brigade district, which was a very large area although landowners had been involved in brigade activities to varying degrees.
On 11th October, 1948 the Koriella Rural Fire Brigade conducted its first formal meeting and elected the following offices. President Stan Mackrell, Captain Vern Peters, Lieutenants William (Bill) Parsons, George Lewis and Charlie Newman. The Foreman was Pearce Swanton, Apparatus Officer Frank Luckman and Secretary John Mc Veigh.
Initially, the brigade relied on beaters, knapsacks and private units but during the late 1950s acquired from the CFA its first tanker, a 1952 Austin. At around the same time a shed was provided on land donated by Briggs and Peters. Some thirty years later a new fire station was erected and the old shed was moved to Alexandra to store firefighting equipment on a site in Lamont Street .
Over the years, equipment has been modernised. The Mackrells, Mc Veighs, Parsons, Sparkes, Seatons, Newmans, Luckmans and Swantons are just some of the families that have been involved in the development of the brigade over the decades.
During the early 1950s the town of Eildon grew substantially with the construction of the new Eildon Weir. In a short space of time hundreds of new buildings were erected to house the large workforce involved and, to service their needs.
The State Rivers and Water Supply Commission (SR&WSC) was keen, along with the weir construction company, Utah to enhance the town fire protection. Both organisations played a major part in forming a fire brigade at Eildon and, on 8th September, 1952, in conjunction with the CFA, an official fire brigade was born.
The project workers were to become an integral part of this new brigade. Officers elected were Captain Fred Johnson , who had been involved in fire brigades at Alexandra, Lieutenant F. E. Hillman, Foreman K. Heap and Secretary K. Ryan. The CFA registered Eildon as an urban fire brigade and, in its formative years, was basically crewed by SR & WSC employees and equipment and buildings were supplied by Utah. The original fire station site was near the hospital, which became, in later years, part of the Darlingford Upper Goulburn Nursing Home.
Some years later a fire station was developed on a site, near the police station, in Hillside Avenue. Despite being an urban brigade this brigade also services an area around the town including local farms. It also has responsibility for fires adjacent to parts of the Lake and significant risks in boat harbours, jetties, power stations and related structures. Millions of dollars of boats and houseboats adds to its risk. Nowadays, the brigade has a modern fleet of vehicles, a substantial part of it purchased by the brigade with community support. One item, rather unique, is the fire boat, used for incidents on Lake Eildon. Plans are being developed for a new fire station for the town. The various brigade officers, together with an active membership, over the years, has effectively developed the fire service in Eildon to deal with its somewhat different risks.
The area west of Alexandra along Whanregarwen Road was badly hit during the 1969 fires. A life was lost at Scrubby Creek along with houses, sheds, livestock and fencing. Many landowners had been involved for years with the Alexandra Rural brigade and other brigades. Following the devastation the Whanregarwen area community resolved to form its own brigade. On 24th February, 1969 they conducted their first meeting and on 14th April, 1969 the CFA officially registered the brigade. Officers elected at the time were: President Bert Stickles, Captain Geoff Cookson, Lieutenants Mike Wherritt, Rolly Atkinson, and Joseph William Hewitt, Apparatus Officer Donald Napier, Communications Officer William Cooper and Secretary Barry Pyke.
Equipment at the start consisted of 6 beaters, 4 knapsacks, and a tank on a trailer. This was stored at the Captain’s property. Five years later, a fire station shed was built by volunteer labour near the corner of Whanregarwen Road and Scrubby Creek Road on the property of Bill Cooper and was leased to the CFA for an annual fee of 10 cents. During 1977 the brigade received its first tanker a series one 1950 Austin.
Over subsequent years the brigade has purchased additional equipment including a quick-fill pump and has been updated to a modern tanker. Plans are in place for a new fire station.
Coordination of the Fire Brigades - The Birth of Fire Brigade Groups. Throughout the Alexandra District, and indeed Victoria, an effective network of brigades had been established by the 1950s & 60s. However, a need was arising to better coordinate these resources especially when multiple brigades were involved at larger incidents.
Following amendments to legislation and the success of the Group concept in other areas a meeting was called by the CFA Regional Officer Mr Carboon. It was attended by himself and he was accompanied by Assistant Chief Officer Mc Kay. It was held at the Alexandra Fire Station, in Webster Street, on 17th December, 1962 and was chaired by Mr A. W. Jones. Brigade representatives in attendance were from Alexandra Rural & Urban, Yarck, Koriella, Acheron, Thornton, Taggerty and Eildon. The meeting voted unanimously to proceed with the formation of a Fire Brigades Group to better control and coordinate firefighting and fire prevention across the district. A few weeks later, during January, 1963 elections for Group Officer, his deputies, Communications Officer and Group Secretary were finalised. Officers elected were Group Officer Cr. Reg. Payne, Deputy Group Officers J. Pollard, A. Dobson, A. W. Jones. Communications Officer W. C. (Bill) Price , Secretary S. T. Reynolds.
It was explained that the prime role of the Group was to ensure that brigades were provided with the resources needed to deal with an incident as well as ensuring a command structure, with adequate communications, was in place.
Following on from this a radio two-way base was established in a workshop at Bill Prices radio & television workshop in Perkins Street, almost opposite the Ford Garage, and a radio network developed across the Group. Bill Price, who was to become a legend in CFA circles, had already invented the timing equipment used at CFA demonstrations. His knowledge of electronics and radio procedures was to place the area in the forefront of communications and provided the Group a strong basis for development.
Following the 1969 fires, which had been controlled from the workshop, and using a CFA Field Headquarters set up outside in Perkins Street, the Group, with Alexandra Shire Council assistance embarked on a mission to establish a proper fire control headquarters in Alexandra.
In September 1970, this was achieved when the Alexandra Civil Defence, (later the SES) and the Group, commenced sharing an area in the rear of the Shire Hall near the Council chambers. Towards the late seventies both organisations moved to a larger area, which was formerly the Shire Hall supper room, and soon developed a multi agency state of the art emergency services headquarters which was the envy of many in Victoria. This building was named after the late Bill Price, who was awarded a British Empire Medal ( BEM ) for services to the community and especially his contributions during the January, 1969 bushfires.
When new facilities were completed in late 1999 the Group Headquarters (and SES) moved to Shamrock Street together with the plaque commemorating W. C. Price. Since its inception the Officers of the Group have overseen firefighting operations in the district as well as providing resources to other areas of the state numerous times, including the major Ash Wednesday fires in February, 1983 and the two month effort for the 2003 forest fires in the north east of the state and Gippsland, to name just two examples.
The many volunteers have much to be proud - for long, distinguished and dedicated service across the Alexandra district in providing an efficient fire service over this developmental period.
Officers of the Alexandra Fire Brigades Group Since Formation.
1963-66 Cr R. Payne 1963-80 Mr W. Price BEM
1966-72 Mr A. Dobson 1980-82 Mr P. Feehan
1972-76 Mr R. Robb 1982-87 Mr I. Peters
1976-86 Mr G. Cookson 1987-97 Mrs E. Hoskin
1986-88 Mr J. Kilpatrick 1997-98 Mr J. Hoskin
1988-93 Mr J. Birtchnell OAM 1998- Mrs R. Chester
1993-96 Mr P. Gilmore
1996 - Mr P. Rice
1963-72 Mr J. Swanston been appointed & served
1972-76 Mr A. Weeks OAM from 1963-2004.
1976-78 Mr P. Rice
1978-89 Mrs A. Coghill
1989-95 Mr J. Rogers
1995-97 Mr J. Kerr
1997-0 Ms J. Davenport
2000-02 Ms J. Collins
2002- Mrs L. Luckman
Enquiries: Peter Rice, 39 Bon Street, Alexandra Vic. 3714
Telephone: 03- 57 721 606 or Mobile: 0417330480 Fax: 03-57 723 333
EMAIL: price@virtual.net.au