Invitations to the official opening of the fire station and a letter to the community about the brigade emergency services

From the earliest days of settlement in the shire, residents demonstrated their willingness to band together in times of crisis and need. "Bushfires were always a terrifying prospect and since its establishment in 1935, the local fire brigade (later the Country Fire Authority) fought hard to protect the people, homes and animals of the shire. In 1966, the Mount Cottrell Fire Brigades Group was formed as a way of consolidating the smaller groups around Melton, Rockbank, Toolern Vale, Sydenham, Truganina and Werribee. Its headquarters were established at the home of Ernest ‘Bon’ and Edna Barrie in Ferris Road, Melton. Captain Bon Barrie was a member of the Melton Fire Brigade and elected group and communications officer of the new Mount Cottrell Brigades Group.22 Wendy Barrie, daughter of Edna and Bon, remembers the fire truck parked at their house and her mother operating the fire brigade’s radio. Growing up in the fire station headquarters, Wendy and her siblings learned how to use the radio too, in case of emergencies".Rural Fire Brigade's Group List of Authorised Officers including the captains and lieutenantsemergency services

List of numbers for the fire brigades and emergency contactsemergency services

Edna Barrie was a member of the Melton Fire Brigade Ladies Auxiliary from its inception in 1968, a non-operational positionEdna Barrie's copy of Melton Fire Brigade Ladies Aux Constitution and list of membersemergency services, local identities

A photocopy of the Honours and Awards published in 1919 that included Legatee Stan Savige receiving his DSO from General Sir W R Birdwood. It refers to his work protecting the Assyrian refugees in Persia from the Turks. Text includes: "In pursuance of the authority delegated to me by His Imperial Majesty, the King Emperor, I make the following awards for gallantry and distinguished service in the field:- To be Companion of the Distinguished Service Order. Captain Stanley George SAVIGE, MC, Australian Imperial Force. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He was in command of a small party sent out to protect the rear of a column of refugees who were being hard pressed by the enemy. By his energy, resource and able dispositions the hostile troops, many of whom were mounted, were kept at a distance, although in greatly superior force. He hung on to position after position until nearly surrounded, but on each occasion extricated his command most skilfully. His cool determination and fine example under fire inspired his men and put heart into the almost panic-stricken refugees, thereby averting what might have been a very serious situation."A record of the war service of Legatee Stan Savige and the recognition he received.White foolscap photocopy of General Sir Birdwood awarding the DSO to Legatee Savigestan savige, service award

Coburns Road - 19th c family descendents living in Melton. Coburn Primary School Cr George Coburn. 1930’s. December 1935 Shire President Cr Geo Coburn convened meeting to form the Bush Fire Brigade. Road construction of Service road and beginnings of West Melton subdivision. West Melton-Early Division View of Coburns Road. council, local significant events

Erected 1974, dismantled 2000s. The Headquarters was operated from the family home at Ferris road at its inception, and in 1974 to the Barrie home at First Avenue Melton South. A storage office and Radio Tower was erected in the yard. A connection phone line was linked to the home of Wayne and Lynn Sullivan who lived at the rear in Kurrajong Cr later became LY remote. Wayne later became Communications Officer and the Headquarters moved location to the Melton Fire Station. The Mount Cotterill Group encompassed the Rural Fire Brigades of Melton, Rockbank, Sydenham, Toolern Vale, Truganina, and Werribee and later Diggers Rest. In the stage of transition from H.F.( High Frequency) to Very High Frequency some radio sets were non CFA Tankers when the group was established. Antenna was at 19 First Avenue, Melton.emergency services

Taken at EWS Ferris Road. The fire brigade was formed in 1970, Edgar Barrie was the Urban brigade's first Captain from 1970 to 1973. Peter Barrie joined in 1962. Barry Sherwell was foreman in 1971. Barry Sherwell, Edgar Barrie and Peter Barrie, Melton Urban fire brigade members.local identities, emergency services

Melton Urban Fire Brigade started in 1935. 1942, it had been registered with the BUSH FIRE BRIGADE COMMITTEE and a Certificate of Registration No 425 was issued. The Officers were as follows:- 1st Lieutenant E.W. Barrie 2nd Lieutenant T.L. Barrie 3rd Lieutenant Tom Knox In 1945 the C.F.A. became the controlling authority. Prior to this date D24 was the Nerve Centre of the Fire Fighting System with representatives of Country Fire Brigades, Forests Commission and D24. This information was in a typed document prepared by Edna Barrie 1975 Captains (approx dates) Constable ROY CORBETT BON BARRIE EDGAR BARRIE URBAN EDGAR BARRIE STEVE HIRT Captains who followed Roy Corbett List of known Captains 1935 – 1975 Jack Wallace Roy Corbett Bon Barrie Edgar Barrie Steve Hirt Members of Melton Urban Fire Brigadeemergency services, local identities

Members at Melton Fire Station, corner of McKenzie and Alexandra Street.emergency services, local identities

Handwritten notes from Edna Barrie: In its policy of creating smaller compact groups of fire brigades the Country Fire Authority Regional Officer Harry Rothsay in 1967 requested that the following 6 brigades surrounding Mt Cottrell transfer from their respective groups. Melton and Rockbank from Bacchus Marsh Group, Toolern Vale and Sydenham from Mt Macedon Group and Truganina and Werribee from Little River Group forming a new Group to the be named Mt Cottrell Fire Brigades Group. Steve Hirst and Harry Rothsay at Melton Fire Stationlocal identities, emergency services

Edna Barrie was a member of the Melton Fire Brigade Ladies Auxiliary from its inception in 1968, a non-operational position.The Ladies Auxiliary members at Melton Fire Stationlocal identities, emergency services

Bunnings and Melton Fresh replaced Magnet Store in Bakery Square.Members of the Melton Fire Brigade at the opening of the 'Magnet Store' in Bakery Squarelocal identities, emergency services, local significant events

Ladies Auxilairy members organised fundraisers and in 1977, there was a ball organised in 1977. The theme was mock debutante. Fire brigade members at their Mock Debutante ball. The members are doing the deb dance. local identities, emergency services

The memorial wall was constructed in 2010 to coincide with brigade's 75th anniversary. The wall represents the brigade members that have passed away while as members in the line of duty has served more than fifteen years of service to the Melton Fire Brigade. This wall is the relocation of the historic time capsule from the old fire station to to its new location in Henry Street. Relatives of Melton Fire brigade members at the unveiling of the memorial wall.emergency services, local identities

Ernest W (Bon) Barrie, 1909 – 1985 Melton Fire Brigade (and predecessor Bush Fire Brigade) Apparatus Officer, 1945 - 1953 Captain, 1951 - 1965 Mt Cotterill Fire Brigades’ Group Elected Group Officer, on the formation of the Group, 1967. As Group Communications Officer he operated the VL3 LY base radio station from home on a 24 hour basis for fire brigades of Melton, Rockbank, Sydenham, Diggers Rest, Toolern Vale, Truganina and Werribee. With his brother Edgar, he built the first Melton Fire Truck. It was housed on the family property until a fire station was constructed in the Melton township. Recipient of the Queens Medal, 1979 Recognised for 44 years of service on the Melton Fire Brigade Memorial Wall Plaque, dedicated May 2013 Mt Cotterell Fire Brigades G H Q and aerial was erected at No 17 - 19 First Avenue in 1974 at the home of Edna and Bon Barrie. Previously the Mt Cotterell Group VL3LY communication headquarters occupied their h ome in Ferris road at its inception in 1967. The First Avenue headquarters and map room, with radio equipment was also housed at the residence. It was operated with an additional cable connection to Fireman Wayne Sullivan (Deputy C/O) who resided at the rear in Kurrajong Cr.Section of the Melton Fire Brigade Memorial wall with brigade members who have passed away while as members. emergency services, local identities

Unveiling of the Melton Fire Brigade memorial wall eventemergency services, local significant events

Cooper served as Captain of the Bacchus Marsh Country Fire Authority. Dates unknownPortrait photo of Captain Jack Cooperlocal identities, emergency services

Bon Barrie, Graeme Cooper, N. Gillespie, Peter Barrie, Ken Robinson, Ray Allen, Tom Barrie, John Roaers and Graeme Gilliland, members of the Mt Cottrell Fire Brigades Group In the background of the photo is the pavilion during construction, Melton Recreation Park on Reserve Road.Melton South Trailer tank, pump and Syd Coopers Car at the Shire centenarycouncil, local significant events, emergency services

Many of the brigade and group base radios were situated in private residences and operated primarily by fire fighters wives who held the position of Communications Officer, either registered as a brigade member or informally. Edna Barrie was never registered as an operational brigade member but operated informally as an assistant to her husband Bon. She was however a member of the Melton Fire Brigade Ladies Auxiliary from its inception in 1968, a non-operational position. Edna kept up to date with radio procedure following the 1967 handbook; preparing maps, plotting compass points and taking notes on weather forecasts from the SA Border and Western District. Daily notes were taken in anticipation of fire warnings. These log books and daily radio traffic were incidental to the regular radio schedules. Emergency turnouts noted, burning off times and predicted location of smoke. In the summer fire season all TBF (total fire ban days were recorded.)CFA burning off dry grassemergency services

Region 14 Mount Cotterill Fire Brigades Group. In the back row is Bon Barrie, Keith Gillespie, Ross Backhouse, Peter Barrie, Edgar Barrie, Rob Radford, David Rintoul, Jim Patterson. Front Row: Les Gillespie, Graeme Gilliland, Ray Allen, Vic Allen and Steve Hirt.Melton CFA group wearing the new maroon and white practice gearemergency services, local identities

As Group Communications Officer he operated the VL3 LY base radio station from home on a 24 hour basis for fire brigades of Melton, Rockbank, Sydenham, Diggers Rest, Toolern Vale, Truganina and Werribee. With his brother Edgar, he built the first Melton Fire Truck. It was housed on the family property until a fire station was constructed in the Melton township. Bon at his house on Ferris Road, Meltonlocal identities, emergency services

Col and Helen Busse were in the same fire brigade group with Bon and Edna Barrie.Presentation in front of t Len and Rebe Peters woolshedemergency services, local identities

Presentation at Melton Fire Brigade's pre-season dinner local identities, emergency services

Edgar Barrie, Captain of newly formed Urban Fire BrigadeIn CFA / Melton Urban Fire Brigade uniform. local identities, emergency services

Melton and District Historical Society: Railway stations were a hive of activity during the 1900s, transporting produce such as meat, dairy, hay and chafff from the Melton district to Melbourne. Rockbank station served the nearby chaff mill. From Melton Express and Sunbury News, 1910. When Mr Barrie started some 10 years ago with a travelling chaff cutter and a portable engine, and now he has behind him two large sheds, with three chaffcutters, a screw press and a damper and the necessary machinery to work the same, which is proof enough of the energy and zeal he has put forth. Lately he has started another mill a Rockbank with Mr R Barrie in charge and Mr W Barrie in charge at the Melton shed. Much regret is expressed at the departure of Mr Barrie having won the high esteem of his employees and farmers an all who have had any dealings with him. Works undertaken at Rockbank train station, fire brigade members were assisting with the project.emergency services, transport

Charles Frederick Clark was 1 of 3 sons of Thomas and Elizabeth Clark of Bonegilla who served in WW1. Charles, Ernest and Thomas were the eldest children of a family of 12 children. At the age of 25, Charles enlisted in 13th Light Horse Brigade 1st Reinforcement on 25 January 1915. He was later transferred to the 2nd Division Artillery Column and the 4th Australian Medium Trench Mortar Battery. Charles served in Egypt, Gallipoli and France. As a result of his actions at the Third Battle of Morlancourt on the Western Front, Charles was awarded the Military Medal. The citation for the medal read:- Awarded: Military Medal 24th June 1918 Recommended by: Brigadier-General O. F. Phillips Commanding 2nd Division Artillery Column Action for which commended: 637 Bombardier Charles Frederick Clark 868 Bombardier (T/Corporal) George Traill McLennan "On the night 10/11th June 1918 during the attack South of MORLANCOURT near ALBERT, these NCOs showed great courage and determination under most trying conditions. They were each in charge of 6” Newton Mortars which had very important tasks. Just prior to the attack their gun positions were very heavily shelled and this continued throughout the barrage fire covering the advance. The work of these NCOs, who could not remain under cover all the time, was extremely dangerous, the enemy batteries having the range exactly. Their great gallantry set a splendid example of coolness to their men." (Signed) C. Rosenthal, Major General Commanding 2nd Australian Division He also received the 1914-15 Star, the British War medal and the Victory Medal.This uniform is significant as it was worn by a Wodonga District resident who received the Military Medal which was awarded for acts of gallantry and devotion to duty under fire during World War 1.Khaki Australia WW1 uniform for AIF. This uniform has 2 external patch chest pockets and 2 internal pockets with opening flap. It has 5 central buttons and 4 pocket buttons. There is a buttoned down epaulet on each shoulder and unit badges sewn onto each arm. An AIF Rising collar badge is on each peak of the collar. A strip of service ribbons is attached at the top of one chest pocket.australian military uniforms, ww1 bonella, military medal, 13th light horse, 4th australian medium trench mortar battery

A publication by the CFA giving detailed information, images, maps and photographs about the bush fires which blazed across Victoria and southern New South Wales from November 2019 until brought under control in February 2020.non-fictionThe 2019 - 2020 fire season, which became known as "Black SUmmer" was long and difficult for the CFA, emergency services and communities across the eastern seaboard of Australia, especially in northeastern and eastern Victoria. By its conclusion more than 8,200 CFA volunteers had contributed to the fire response in Victoria and another 2,288 CFA volunteers had been deployed interstate. THe bushfires burned 1.5 million hectares, destroyed more than 400 homes, 6,800 livestock and thousands of native animals. Tragically 5 people also lost their lives. The fires took their toll physically and psychologically.This book provides an insight into the challenges faced by so many in their efforts to protect communities and was produced as part of the recovery process from this horrific event.black summer bushfires, cfa volunteers, bushfires australia