From 1845, separate and competing volunteer fire brigades were established in Melbourne and grew in number. Following the passage of the Fire Brigades Act 1890 and the creation of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB) on 1 May 1891, the 56 volunteer brigades that then existed were disbanded and the firefighters were invited to join the MFB. The MFB was abolished in 2020 and the firefighters absorbed into the newly established Fire Rescue Victoria.White coloured rectangular shaped card printed in black on both sides. Hole in top left hand corner.Front Metropolitan Fire Brigade. The Ninth Annual Ball. Orderly Room (Corner of Albert and Gisborne Streets) EAST MELBOURNE, Friday, 11th October, 1901. MFB QUADRILLE. 1st Fig. 1st Set; 3rd Fig, 1st Set; 3rd Fig. Lancers; Spanish Waltz; Circassian Figure. JARRETT'S BAND. J. C. PRICE, M. C. Stewards: MESSRS. H. HARRISON 7 R. GLENNON W. CAVE, Hon. Sec. Back: List of dances, against which some names and initials have been written by handmetropolitan fire brigade, orderly room - east melbourne, jarrett's band, 20th century, melbourne - history

Presented to the Major The Honorable F. T. Sargood together with the V.R.A. Challenge Cup on 8 December 1876. The cup was competed for by all the volunteer corps in Victoria. The following extract is from The Argus (Melb), Sat 9 Dec 1876, page 9 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/5912315 The second quarterly official inspection of the St Kilda Battery was held last night by Colonel Anderson. The gun drill was held in the orderly-room, and afterwards the corps was put through field movements in the drill around. At the termination of the inspection Colonel Anderson expressed his satisfaction at the manner in which the drill had been performed. Colonel Anderson then presented Major Sargood with the Victorian Rifle Association Challenge Cap, which had been won by the St. Kilda Battery three times. The cup has been competed for the last 12 years, and in that time the cost of the ammunition used in the contest and markers' fees amounted to about £3.000. The value of the cup is 20 guineas. An address to Major Sargood was then read by Captain Hearn. On receiving the cup Major Sargood said that he was afraid from the state of his health he would either have to retire from command of the battery, or obtain a long leave of absence. He said that six years ago he bad been presented with a sword which he wore that evening, and he was glad to see that there was no diminution of the goodwill then expressed towards him. Red leather folder lined with ecru coloured watered silk containing a illuminated copy of the address on the presentation of the V.R.A. Challenge Cup to Major The Honorable F. T. Sargood. The cover has a gilt decorated embossing around its border and gilt text.On front: "ADDRESS TO MAJOR THE HON. F. T. SARGOOD." "ST KILDA BATTERY" "R.V.V.A."rippon lea, sargood, frederick thomas, sir