"From the beginnings of European settlement on the dry plains of Melton, the community became all too familiar with the destructive power of bushfires. Fires spread rapidly through the parched landscape and were difficult to stop. Small villages in the district were practically wiped out by different fires at various times, important buildings and valuable haystacks were lost, and most chaff mills were burned down more than once.110 A local bushfire brigade was established in 1935, with Constable Roy Corbett elected Captain. This formed the basis of what would later become the Melton Country Fire Authority (CFA) branch". During 1935 a Fire Brigade was organised by 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 Captains who followed Roy Corbett List of known Captains 1935 – 1975 Jack Wallace Roy Corbett Bon Barrie Edgar Barrie Steve Hirt 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 Melton Fire Brigade yearly calendar emergency services

The two Gundowring Fire Brigade tanks may have been used for drinking water for the fire fighters. Their curved side and handles indicate that they were attached (strapped) to horses or a round tank and transported to the fire.This tank was used for drinking water for the fire fighters of Gundowring during the 1923 fire. Some of their equipment was hand made. The Gundowring Fire Brigade was a rural fire brigade operating in 1923.Green rusty metal rectangular tank with an opening at the top but no lid. At the bottom on one side there is an horizontally extended pipe with a flat knob at its end that can be turned to allow the water in the tank to come out.. At the top of the tank is a rectangular hollow metal handle. There is also a handle on the top of the opposite side. There are 2 smaller triangular hollow metal 'handles' at the top of the straight side (for strapping). There is one square hollow metal handle in the middle of the bottom of the same side which is also the curved side. This side is curved vertically. The side opposite the curved side has a white inscription.Side: Gundowring R.F.B. (Rural Fire Brigade)gundowring fire brigade. cfa. drinking water. water container. horses. tank. bushfire.

Fire Brigade Memorabilia Display. There are 8 coloured photos in Album 9B of the display all taken 03.09 2003. On display are photos, trophies, equipment and uniforms of the Fire Brigade Members.Coloured photograph of Fire Brigade memorabilia display showing, Total Fire Ban Flag, and six different coloured helmets. stawell

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

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

Taken c1870, this photograph depicts the members of the Beechworth Volunteer Fire Brigade outside the present fire station house on Camp Street, Beechworth. Hose layer and a Niagara Pump are in shot with 11 members and 2 young boys on the pump. Sepia rectangular photograph printed on matte photographic paper and mounted on board.Reverse: Beechworth/ Volunteer Fire Brigade/ 1870burke museum, beechworth, fire brigade, volunteer fire brigade, sepia, photograph, c1870, niagara pump, hose layer, emergency services

Fire Brigade Memorabilia Display. There are 8 coloured photos in Album 9B of the display all taken 03.09 2003. On display are photos, trophies, equipment and uniforms of the Fire Brigade Members.Coloured photograph of Fire Brigade memorabilia display showing, photos, equipment, uniforms and trophies used by Brigade members over the years. stawell

framed photo of Wangaratta Fire Brigade Members in July 1915gold coloured frame with sepia brigade photo with 'Wangaratta Fire Brigade' 'July 1915' written underneath the men1915, members

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. Group Headquarters was established at the Ferris road residence of Melton Captain E W Bon Barrie, who was elected Group and Communications Officer of Mt Cottrell. E W (Eddie) Gillespie and Keith Watt of the Toolern Vale brigade were appointed Deputy Group Officer and Group Secretary respectively. Documents from the Mount Cottrell Fire Brigade Group emergency services

Inscription on the back of the photograph indicates that the photograph was taken in 1948 at a demonstration day in Ballarat. Standing, L-R: Bill Caldow, Eugene Grigg, Jim Barr (Captain), Joe Reidy, Ted Cheeseman, Arnold Chasey. Seated: V. McDonald.Framed black and white photograph of a Linton fire brigade team. Six team members are standing with arms behind their backs in front of a hand-drawn fire cart, one is seated in front of them with part of a fire pump resting on his crossed legs. Six of seven team members wear polo shirts with "LINTON" appliqued on them. The seventh wears a fire brigade uniform with double-breasted jacket and peaked hat.On back of photograph: "Linton Fire Brigade Team 1948 - Ballarat Demonstration / Standing: (L-R) W. Caldow, E. Grigg, J. Barr (Capt), J. Reidy, ? Cheeseman, A. Chasey / Sitting: V. McDonald / N887 / See Fire Brigade file".linton fire brigade, william (bill) caldow, eugene grigg, jim barr, joe reidy, ted cheeseman, arnold chasey, v. mcdonald

Buninyong Fire Brigade in uniform shown in front of new Headquarters possibly shown at an opening ceremony c1899. The original Merryweather can be seen at the right of the photograph.Possibly shows the opening of the new Headquarters with the members of the brigade in uniformBlack and white photograph of Old Buninyong Fire Brigade in uniform in front of Headquarters c1899 fire brigade, fire station, merryweather

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

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.Booklet for the unveiling of Melton Fire Brigade Memorial Wallemergency services

B&W photographof the winning team from Ballarat brigade for the "hose practice for 8 men" event which was held as part of the fire brigades demonstration, Geelong Jubilee, 1904. Pictured are the eight man team and the brigade Captain with various hoses, hydrants, branches and the trophys for the event (2 shield & 8 individual trophys). Photo is mounted on olive coloured card.BALLARAT FIRE BRIGADE / PRESENTED TO THE BALLARAT FIRE BRIGADES CLUB / R.CORNISH, G.FORD, J.CROUGEY, J.C.HEIL / A.DUNSTAN, O.C.REIGELHUTH, CAPTAIN W.TRAHAR, W.ROBERTS, G.VAWDREY / By the Winners of Hose Practice for Eight Men / FIRE BRIGADES DEMONSTRATION, GEELONG JUBILEE, 1904

CLUNES FIRE BRIGADE DISPLAY IN CLUNES MUSEUM IN 19COLOURED PHOTOGRAPH CLUNES URBAN FIRE BRIGADE 125TH. ANNIVERSARY OF VOLUNTEER SERVICE OF CLUNES & DISTRICT. MR TONY BATLEY INSPECTING DISPLAY ?local history, photography, photographs, exhibitions, activities and current events in clunes museum.

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

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

Certificate presented to members upon retirement from the CFBBCertificate of service from the Country Fire Brigades Board presented to William Ernest Roff for 25 years service to the Ballarat Fire Brigade. It is signed by the president, chief officer and secretary of the CFBB on the 29th April 1937. Coloured certificate depicts various (4) fireman in various poses with the CFBB logo in the top centre of the certificate. Certificate is framed in a brown timber frame trimmed with a gold edge. COUNTRY / FIRE BRIGADES BOARD / This is to Certify that / William Ernest Roff / was a member of / The Ballarat Fire Brigade / for Twenty Five Years / During which term he did / valuable work for the Board, the Brigade / and the Fire Service generally / ? ? Taylor President / a McPherson Chief Officer / ? ? ?????? Secretary / Date of issue / 29th April, 1937

The two Gundowring Fire Brigade tanks (20 - 30 litres) may have been used for drinking water for the fire fighters. Their curved side and handles indicate that they were attached (strapped) to horses or a round tank and transported to the fire. This tank was used for drinking water for the fire fighters of Gundowring during the 1923 fire. Some of their equipment was home made. The Gundowring Fire Brigade was a rural fire brigade operating in 1923.Green rusty metal rectangular box with 1 curved side. At the top is an outlet with a lip with a lid fitted in it. The life has a metal hollow lever attached to its middle and is inscribed. One end of the tank has a sturdy tap at the bottom. One side has a white painted inscription. On the opposite side attached near the opening is a hollow metal triangular piece to enable the tank to be strapped onto transport. and also on the opposite side at the middle bottom a square hollow metal handle. this side is curved horizontally.Lid: "? sprayer" Side: "Gundowring R.F.B. -(Rural Fire Brigade)gundowring fire brigade. cfa. drinking water. water container. horses. tank. bush fire.

This certificate was awarded to the Beechworth Fire Brigade at the Fire Brigade annual demonstration held at Maryborough March 1897. This image depicts 4 members J.W. Davis, H.J Clements, T.M. Shennan, H.T. Thompson.Black and white copy of a certificate printed on gloss photographic paperObverse: Trophy / Presented by / Charlie Farr / Maryborough for / Representative Race for Four Men / Won by / Beechworth Fire Brigade / At the Fire Brigade's Annual Demonstration / held at Maryborough March 1897 Left to right: J.W. Davis / H.J Clements / T.M. Shennan / H.T. Thompson / fire brigade, beechworth, burke museum, maryborough, emergency services, certificate

Group Portrait of Stawell Fire Brigade First Hose Six Team Warrnambool 1905 FramedSepia photograph in a mount. Six males dressed in uniform, four at the back and two at the front. The two men at the front are seated on cane chairs, beside a table covered with a cloth. A silver tray (trophy) rests on the table.Stawell Fire Brigade FIRST HOSE SIX Warrnambool Demonstration 1905 Writing on the back is illegiblestawell, fire brigade