Physical description

This historical photograph depicts members of the Williamstown Volunteer Fire Brigade (W.V.F.B.) located at Ferguson Street.
Back row L-R: J. Davidson, J. Russell, J. Wallace, H. Strange, G. Gilbert, A. Knowles, J. Rivett, J. Burton-Clay;
Front row L-R: F. Boden, Captain J.E Murdock, Secretary W.H. Hall, Superintendent L. Worthington, Hose Officer W. Godwin, Lieutenant N.R. Wilson, G.H.M. Paine

The following is an excerpt from the Williamstown Chronicle Friday 25 December 1891 on the disbanding of the WVFB.

THE OLD FIRE BRIGADE
A meeting of the late Williamstown Volunteer Fire Brigade was held in the Mechanics Institute last Friday evening for the purpose of winding up the brigade and to receive the secretary's report.
Mr L. Worthington occupied the chair, and every member present. Minutes of last meeting read and confirmed. The chairman then called on the secretary to read the report, which was received and adopted; the receipts L141 18s 4d included a balance on hand from last year of L35 4s 6d; the expenditure, L67 9s 4d, leaving a balance of L74 9s 5d in hand. It was resolved that this amount should be divided amongst the 16 members, each receiving Is 6 3/4d for every month he had been a member up to the time the brigade was disbanded by the New Fire Board. A vote of thanks was passed to Superintendent Worthington for the kind and forbearing manner he had acted towards the members during the 9 years and 10 months he had been superintendent, and that a letter be sent expressing the deep gratitude the members had towards him. Mr Worthington has always been held in high esteem by his boys, for when leaving for the old country some years ago they would not let him go away without wishing him bon voyage and a safe return to them; they have also shown their esteem to their superintendent on other occasions. A vote of thanks was also recorded to Mr W. A. Hall, hon. sec. for the valuable services rendered to the brigade during his 8 years of service. Mr Worthington also eulogized the assistance he had received from Mr Hall; Captain Murdoch, Lieutenant Wilson and Hose officer Godwin also coming in for their share of thanks. Mr Worthington, before declaring the brigade disbanded, invited the members to the Morning Star Hotel to partake with him in a convival glass. Peculiar to remark the first meeting was held in the hotel mentioned 11 years ago. After spending a pleasant half hour, during which several toasts were proposed, the superintendent declared the brigade disbanded and that the Williamstown Volunteer Fire Brigade was a thing of the past. The members then dispersed.
Source: Williamstown Chronicle Friday 25 December 1891