Before Organised Fire Brigades

Forest, bush and grass fires have been a part of the Australian scene from the beginning of time. Our flora have developed as part of the overall environmental story where indigenous trees and shrubs adapted to regular and irregular burning by both cool and hot fires, and indeed without the heat so created, the seed would not have gained access to the soil to re-establish the forest balance.

It is not necessary to go far to find confirmation of these facts. Sherbrooke Forest, that magnificent area so close to Melbourne is not the Sherbrooke that early settlers first sighted. The original forest was cut down entirely for use as timber for the growing Melbourne and by the late 1890’s the area was almost completely cut out. A similar thing happened on the foothills of The Dandenongs on the western slopes, where the Eucalypts, although not so useful for building timber, were used extensively for firewood, fencing, shedding etc.

Fires which occurred in 1891, 1908, 1914, 1919 and 1926, re-established Sherbrooke to the marvellous forest that we now see and these fires and others, re-established the foothill slopes as well.

Aborigines used fire in all parts of Australia and still do use controlled burns to clear areas and replenish new growth so that kangaroos, wallabies and other animals which make up their staple diet, would have food and therefore be more accessible.

A priceless piece of early bushfire fire experience in The Basin comes from the pages of Mrs Janet Dobson’s diary (summer 1904-05 and also 15 years later, in 1920) It also highlights the concern and brave resolution with which our pioneer settlers wives faced this ever present threat.

Very bad bushfire all over One Tree Hill, another up side of the Observatory [Burke’s Look-out], all around Kerrs’, Barnes and Mrs Davis nearly burnt out. Joe went over to help, they are burning a break between Baldwins and Kerrs. Weather fearfully hot.

December 31st 1904

Fires still racing.

January 1st 1905

It rained some nice showers today

2nd January 1905

Weather very hot. There is a big fire all around J. Maguire’s, A.E. Chandlers and E. Hansens and another up near Mr Farlands.

10th January 1905:

The heat almost unbearable. The fires are raging all day. The wind is blowing quite a gale. There is a big fire all around Hazel Dell and right to the top of the mount.

11th January 1905

Joe went up to Dodds after dinner. The bushfire was all around the house. All their hay got burnt. Joe stopped to help them. It was nearly five when he got home. The fire travelled down to S.R. Matthews in the evening. There were about 20 men up there keeping the fire from the house. Some stayed all night, some of the sheds were burnt down. It is a dreadful fire, it is coming down toward Mr Jacksons now. Weather is very hot.

13th January 1905

The bushfire was all around Mr Jacksons today. The Army boys were over helping him keep it back from the house and the barn. The fire was all around the house at Hazel Dell. They were nearly burnt out. All the Chandlers were up helping them. They had two of their bridges burnt and their fern gully was all burnt out. The fire went from there up to Dickensons. The same went over the mountains and burnt down Mrs Leak’s and a Mr Fitzgeralds’ house. It is still very hot.

14th January 1905

There was a cool change Saturday night (14th January) and on Sunday morning we had some welcome rain. It rained for two or three hours.

January 16th 1905

It has been dreadfully hot all day with a hot north wind blowing very hard and there are some dreadful bushfires about. There was a very big one at Mitcham this afternoon. It burnt down seven houses.

February 11th 1905

There is a large bushfire over near Dickson’s and right up around “Switzerland” [This was old name for the area of Government Road hill & Toorak Avenue] Some of the houses have been in danger and the neighbours beat it back. My two boys went over, so did Harry Chandler, Jack Wicks, and Mr Agar, Staff Captain Stevens (Salvation Army), and several others. If it is hot tomorrow it will spread up round the Mill. It looks very red tonight.

Thursday l9th Feb. 1920

The fire is still spreading up in Mr McKenzie’s property. It looks very beautiful this evening, up the side of the mountain.

Friday 20th February 1920

Today has been dreadfully hot. At dinner time, a big bushfire started up in Ferndale and came down toward Uncles’ (Jack Wicks orchard). They went over and all Mr Griffiths men and Uncle Arthur (Harris) and Mr Agar and several others burnt a break along the Mill track. They carted all the mill wood out through Jack Wicks’ paddock. They had to work very hard to keep it from Mr Grumonts house. The boys did not get home until 10-30pm. There was another big fire over in Goodwins paddock. It started from a burning stump left from last week’s fire. It got very close to Mr Medways house. There were more than a dozen men keeping it back. It got into Maguire’s cut scrub and it looked something grand at night. We could see our shadows, it was so light.

Monday 23rd February 1920

With the coming of European settlement, the face of many parts of Australia changed forever. The early settlers, with no knowledge of the volatile nature of our indigenous flora, must have faced terrifying conditions, when armed only with the experience of the northern hemisphere. They tried their first burnoffs in order to make room for agriculture.

History tells us that in January 1851 one of the most widespread and devastating fires hit Victoria and one can only imagine how much this fire set back the state, just seventeen years old. Records of this catastrophe are sketchy, but it is known that loss of stock and property in isolated areas must have been high and loss of human life a certainty.

It is roughly around this time that the discovery of gold brought great changes, particularly to central Victoria, and not many years later, volunteer fire brigades being formed in many of the developing country towns. Ballarat Brigade held its centenary in 1983 and Bendigo, Eaglehawk, Castlemaine and Geelong City all had their beginning about the same time. Closer to home, Lilydale had a Fire Brigade about 1890, but it has been difficult to reestablish an actual starting point.

The Basin was a farming community with several large family groups, going back as far as the 1870’s The Dobsons, Colliers, Chandlers, Kerrs, Popes no doubt banded together to support each other in times of crisis, be it flood, fire or accident. The loss of produce due to fire was very real and could have a bad effect on the whole community, who took most of their agricultural produce direct to the Victoria Market.

Bad fires in The Basin area around the turn of the century may well have prompted the locals to organise themselves into some sort of organised Fire Brigade, but facts are sketchy about the 1910’s and 1920’s. The Great War of 1914-1918 had a devastating effect on every small community in the land, depleting the areas of the fit young men who would normally have been available to volunteer for fire fighting activities.

In early part of the 20th century the only transport available was horse-drawn vehicles and the odd bicycle, together with volunteers on horseback. Communication was practically nil, with the “coo-ee” being used effectively over short distances and a man on horseback where greater distances were involved. The only firefighting tools available were rakes and hoes, heavy metal buckets, hemp in bags and branches broken off suitable gum trees to act as beaters. However, it is incredible how quickly the early pioneers learned to use back burning and other passive methods to achieve their objectives and their knowledge of fire behaviour in a variety of weather situations was remarkable.

Bush Fire Brigade

Early Days

It was after World War 1 that there was a move toward an organised brigade in The Basin. This was formalised by a Basin Bush Fire Brigade being formed in 1927 as a member of The Bush Fire Brigades Association of Victoria. The Captain was Herb Clark. His two sons, Graham and Wayne, served with the Brigade in the 1950’s and 1960’s. Jack Manders later became Captain.

The equipment available to the Brigade was basic, but included buckets, knapsacks and beaters. When The Basin Progress Hall was completed in 1931, the equipment was stored in a small shed beside the hall.

With the lack of equipment, fire fighting was a hit and miss affair. Two trucks eventually become available, an old International truck belonging to Ferndale and Bert Chandler’s Morris Commercial truck. The latter served as a Brigade vehicle from 1928 until 1945. Harry Chandler’s Morris Commercial truck also gave support over these years.

Doongalla Bushfire 1932

In 1932 the Brigade was involved with a fire that lasted several days on its eastern boundary. The classic stately home of Doongalla was burnt to the ground on January l9th 1932 and the grandchildren of the owner of that time, T. M. Burke and others, were led to shelter under the bridge on the creek until the fire danger had passed. In the late 1980’s, one of these children made contact with The Basin Brigade. Then an elderly lady, she recalled the terror of these hours and handed over to the Brigade, copies of reports in the Melbourne papers of that disastrous fire for use in our history memorabilia.

1935-36 was quite a change in leadership with Bert Chandler as Captain, George Langdon as his Lieutenant and George also took on Secretary and Treasurer positions and retained these posts until 1945. The 1930’s were bad years for fires, mainly because an arsonist was very active in the area and this continued until an arrest was made in 1938.

Black Friday (Jan 13th, 1939)

Summer of 1938-39 saw much of Victoria drought stricken, particularly the eastern, heavily timbered parts. Uncontrolled fires were burning all through the state and during the week prior to Black Friday, The Basin Fire Brigade was kept busy fighting fires along its eastern boundaries where many houses were saved. Unfortunately many homes were lost, but there was no loss of life.

Much of the subdivided land around The Basin had small sub-standard timber homes on them. These were known as “Weekenders”, where inner suburban people spent the weekends “getting away from it all”. These were of course a complete embarrassment to the Brigade in any major fire, with no water reticulation and possibly only a half empty 500 gallon tank to call on for emergency use.

On Black Friday a hot north wind blew at a steady 60 kph with a temperature of over 40 Deg. and very low humidity. Fires erupted all over Victoria. These weather conditions continued for 3 days and the smoke over much of eastern Victorian reduced visibility to a few hundred yards. Some of the younger Basin Brigade members went to Warrandyte to assist fighting the Black Friday fires.

Judge Stretton’s Black Friday report to the Victorian Government still makes fascinating reading. Black Friday must go down in history as Victoria’s worst fire day of the 20th century. Not only from loss of life (71 persons) and buildings, but complete devastation and destruction of the magnificent Mountain Ash, Messmate forests and the loss to the milling industry.

Only 9 months after Black Friday, World War 2 erupted and many of the young men volunteered in another way, to join one of the three services. The Basin area faired badly with some fifteen to twenty regular Fire Brigade members leaving the district in the next 18 months. Some of these did not return.

1939 - 1949

1939 to 1945 saw Captain Bert Chandler with a gallant bunch of oldies taking over a very heavy responsibility. In July 1942, Boronia formed a volunteer Brigade and The Basin had to call on Boronia and Ferntree Gully during those critical times. The Brigade personnel were expected to oversee security and act as air raid wardens should the need arise, as many felt a Japanese invasion of Australia was certain. 1944 was again a drought year, with devastating grass and bushfires over the State, particularly the western district. The Basin had its share of the action, together with its sister Brigades.

Because of the magnitude and loss caused by the 1944 fires, the Victorian Government decided to make widespread changes and The Country Fire Authority came into existence, encompassing both Urban and Bush Fire Brigades and dividing the country area of Victoria into zones and regions.

The end of World War 2 saw a lot of The Basin fire fighting men returning to the district, but many had made the “supreme sacrifice”. Of those who did return, there seemed to be a reluctance to become involved in organised Brigade activity as many were busy re-shaping their lives to civilian ways. When fires did occur, the response was always very good. However, a full leadership hierarchy could not be maintained and The Basin Bush Fire Brigade was disbanded.

With some urging from Regional Officer ‘Mac’ McLaren, a public meeting in The Basin Progress Hall saw the Brigade formally reconstituted. Mac McLaren served Australia in a special way during the War. Working in Rabaul when the Japanese invasion took place, he joined that gallant body of Coast Watchers whose efforts will never by fully appreciated and their valiant efforts saved thousands of allied lives.

Rural & Urban Fire Brigade

1949 - 1962

The Basin remained a member of the Bush Fire Brigades of Victoria until 1949 when due to approaches made by Regional Officer H. McLaren, of the newly formed Country Fire Authority, a public meeting was called at The Basin Progress Hall and The Basin Rural Fire Brigade was constituted with John Chandler Captain, Don Maguire 1st Lieut., J. Ashbury Secretary, and F. Eaves Treasurer. Bert Chandler donated a block of land, opposite the present fire station that was later used as the site for the first fire station.. The C.F.A. provided the Brigade with a trailer mounted Furphy tank with a low down pump and a short length of hose.

In March 1953, the first The Basin Fire Station was completed on the plot of land donated by Bert Chandler in 1949. Voluntary labour built the Station using funds raised by Brigade members. The Regional spare Austin 400 gallon tanker was housed there and the Brigades first electric sirens installed on a windmill adjacent the Station.

In 1953, Arthur Cooper became President, Charlie Ashby Secretary and V. Poole Treasurer.

In June 1954, Chairman Mr. Seaton presented the first tanker to the Brigade. Don Maguire became Captain and Bill Wright 1st Lieut.

The Basin was reticulated in 1959 and with the spread of housing, additional equipment was needed. After much letter writing a new Austin Small Town Unit was acquired which proved very useful.

In 1960 a serious fire prompted the Brigade to raise funds to enable the purchase an ex-Forestry short wheel base Land Rover and equip it with a radio. This vehicle served the Brigade well for many years and acted as a forward control and scout unit, not only for the Brigade, but quite often in Group fires. It was left to the Brigade to outfit the unit and to maintain it entirely as no C.F.A. support was forthcoming due to their policy on second hand vehicles.

The extension of the high level water supply by The Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works saw a whole new deal in fire-fighting techniques throughout much of The Basin. Where previously water had to be labouriously carted by tankers to the higher areas, The Brigade could now plug directly into mains with a huge saving in time and efficiency. Another first in techniques was introduced about this time. Blacking out the edges of a large fire in steep and difficult terrain (Ferntree Gully National Park), had always been extremely hazardous and inefficient. Many fires thought to be completely extinguished would break out into unburnt areas and the danger would be on again.

With the increase of available and diverse equipment it was possible to clear a bulldozed break down the fire flanks and run small volume hoses down from the top of the fire, fed by tankers. In this way it was possible to completely blackout the fire edges, remove burning stumps and trees thus making a complete job of security in one effort. The hoses were always taken down and out of the area to a point where they could be readily collected. This method of fighting large fires was an adoption of a successful technique developed by the Dandenong Ranges Group to deal with large static fires with no readily available water supply and was called a “Gunga Dhin”. A large tanker was set up adjacent to the fire and a pumper at the nearest water supply. Smaller tankers were filled by the pumper and ran a water shuttle service until the blaze was extinguished. This also proved a very worthwhile method of dealing with fires under difficult conditions.

The years 1960-1962 saw the Brigade increase in efficiency, although still hampered with equipment of poor standard and simply not up to the job. The H.F. radios were valve types, large and unreliable and in many cases left overs from Wartime disposals. Quite often a caller could be picked up in Fiji, but it was impossible to call another fire vehicle on the far side of a small hill.

The small town Austin Tanker, although an honest workhorse, with its 400 gallons of water, was too slow in hilly areas and was limited with its two wheel drive configuration. It was found wanting starting cold on the hill up from the Fire Station, particularly as Forest Road was starting to become very busy.

The thought of relocating the Fire Station by purchasing a block was being discussed at this stage, but no positive moves were made until 1965.

1962 Bushfires

The 1961-62 fire season shaped up early as a serious one both locally and Victoria wide. A very a wet winter, spring was quite warm and things grew well, and by December the area was quite dangerous. To add to the Brigade’s worries there was a fire-bug active in the area and the police were alerted. Unless the offender was caught in the act, nothing much could be done.

Sunday 14th January 1962 dawned as a typical blow-up day with northerlies already gusting strongly and temperatures heading toward the 100 degree F. mark (38 degrees C), with low humidity. The scrub and forest had dried out early under the effect of a hot dry summer.

Sunday

At approximately 10.40 am a fire was deliberately lit about 150 yards up Wicks Road on the eastern side. The Basin Brigade members, already on alert at the Fire Station, were on the road immediately and Captain Don Maguire in his own vehicle radioed a message to Group Headquarters to send all the support possible to the area around Clevedon. Boronia and Ferntree Gully responded as did Sassafras-Ferny Creek and Olinda. The tactics were to try and stop the head of the fire and prevent it taking hold in The Ravine area, where it would by nature of the terrain and the fuel, be lost. The heat of the fire and the speed with which it advanced, led the attack to fail and the units were forced to fall back to The Ravine to again try to contain the head of the blaze. Due to lack of water and some serious incidents where vehicles broke down with vapour locks and other mechanical problems, units were again forced back, and the fire raced on toward Ferny Creek along the northern slopes of the Ferntree Gully National Park.

All the available local Brigades together with many from far and wide were directed to One Tree Hill Road and the Mount Dandenong Tourist Road to try and save some of the homes that were dotted around that area, while brigades initially involved at The Basin found themselves doing a similar job on the eastern flank of The Ravine. A change of wind direction during the afternoon saw the fire take off to the North-East toward Olinda and the Mt. Dandenong Ridge Road. It was during the next hour that the second of the stately homes in The Basin, Ferndale, burnt to the ground, along with a number of other homes. The story of Ferndale and Doongalla are told in another part of this history, but it is interesting to note that both these beautiful homes were destroyed by fire, almost 30 years to the day, apart. Doongalla, January l9th 1932 and Ferndale, January 14th 1962.

By Sunday evening the first day of the 1962 bushfire, the area burnt was very substantial. Apart from most of the eastern and north eastern areas of The Basin being virtually burnt out, the fire was lapping Olinda and was now running north through Doongalla Forest. In an attempt to secure the area above Montrose, a back-burn was initiated on Glasgow Road extension using volunteers from below and above. Due to the steepness and rough nature of the area and quirks of wind patterns, this proved a costly error, with the fire jumping the track in a number of places. Captain Don Maguire recalls that apart from all the normal problems such as terrain and a number of ill equipped helpers, he was faced with a number of serious heat exhaustion cases and three suspected snake bite cases in an area where the only evacuation was on foot to the Glasgow Road, Sheffield Road intersection. It was now well after midnight so the plan had to be disbanded as most volunteers had been engaged for over 12 hours and were completely spent. Another physical problem was quenching their thirst from privately owned knapsacks used for spraying agricultural poisons.

Monday

Monday morning, 15th January saw still weary crews and ill equipped volunteers trying desperately to secure unburnt inaccessible areas before the predicted high temperatures, brought on a further crisis. The main area of concern was the township of Olinda, where a mass of fire vehicles and private pumpers, concrete mixers etc had been assembled. The first strategy was to deploy volunteers and equipment to hold the fire on the low side of The Basin-Olinda Road and save as many homes as possible in the operation

A few homes were lost, as the fire was constantly spotting on the high side of the road, and this meant that Olinda itself was soon threatened. The township itself came through unscathed, but there was a casualty with the body of an elderly man being discovered during the morning. This meant that if the police established that the fire had been deliberately lit, they had a case of manslaughter to deal with. Acting on information received from a number of sources an arrest was made on Wednesday January 17th.

During the afternoon of Monday 15th under the influence of a strong southerly sea breeze, the unsecured fire which had been a source of worry the night before, flared up and headed toward Montrose. A plan organised by Captain Don Maguire was to encourage able bodied home owner residents to stay by their homes and together with a sprinkling of Montrose and The Basin volunteers, hold the fire on the high or eastern side and save the homes thus threatened. This plan was working very smoothly with house after house being saved, but it was nearly brought undone by police patrols driving into the area and with loud hailers at maximum power, ordering everyone to evacuate. Some very strong words were exchanged between Captain Don Maguire and the O.T.C. in charge of the police backed up with some very discouraging exchanges about Captain Maguire’s parents!

As the fire moved through toward Mt. Evelyn a mixture of volunteers and home owners saved many homes. Around 5-30pm on the Monday afternoon, a radio call came through informing Captain Don Maguire to return home as his own house and farm property, which included his Mother’s home and sheds, were threatened. Captain Maguire recalls that this came as a complete surprise as the fire above Chandlers Hill was thought to be completely contained and well blacked out. However, the sight that greeted Captain Maguire as he sped along Liverpool Road in his old Chev. Ute was one he believes to be unique in his experience of fire behaviour. The fire at the northern end near Montrose was still heading steadily North-East, whilst the fresh outbreak above Chandlers Hill in the region of Short Street, was racing South under the influence of a strong northerly. Thus there was two fires only a few miles apart, heading in almost opposite directions.

The fire in The Basin was indeed serious and was soon completely out of control. It crowned in a most spectacular fashion, right along the ridge in the Ferntree Gully National Park, above Bayview Crescent, and spawned spot fires in Captain Maguire’s property and these fires ran right through to Albert Ave/Mount View Road corner. It was indeed fortunate that the usefulness of large cement mixers filled with water were now fully appreciated, and these were used to black out the edges of the fire in Mount View Road most effectively. The use of these units was found to be effective by driving them along the lower sides of roads, with shute extended, sending a cascade of water into the scrub when these roads were being used as a holding point for the fire.

Tuesday

Tuesday, the third day of the 1962 fires, saw problems in many of the unburnt areas, with temperature again nearing 100 degrees (38C) by mid morning and after reaching the 100s by noon, remaining in that high figure until after 7pm that night. The main areas of concern were Upper and Lower Ferntree Gully on the southern side where Ferntree Gully National Park still had large areas alight. At one stage when the fire in that area was most threatening it was thought that the William Angliss Hospital should be evacuated. However, a late wind change turned the fire back to the North-East and late in the afternoon a fire storm of dramatic proportions developed in the Ferntree Gully National Park, near The Devil’s Elbow, which observers described as awesome indeed.

The fire continued to cause grave concern at its Northern extremity, with volunteers and Forestry crews battling to save parts of Mt. Evelyn and West of the Silvan Dam. The State Pine Forest burnt fiercely and was completely wiped out and toward evening was burning east of Olinda and Sassafras and on towards Kallista. It seemed unstoppable and The Basins’ unit was sent to Kallista late evening to assist in defending the town. About 11-30pm the first few drops of rain were felt and about 1 & ½ hours later it was raining steadily and the 4 day ordeal was over. The cost in housing will never be accurately known but homes were lost in every part of the non blackened Dandenongs and hardly a section of the mighty mountain range had escaped, Sherbrooke Forest being a remarkable exception.

Aftermath

A lot of criticism was levelled at the fire services, voluntary and professional, but the Chief Secretary, Sir Arthur Rylah, roundly supported the efforts of all those who had fought so had in such extenuating circumstances. There were plenty of lessons to be learned from this fire and some should be outlined here. The use of untrained personnel, no matter how well meant, was a bad move, for some of the following reasons: Many were undisciplined and were inclined to head off and do their own thing, so that the Officers in charge had extra problems on their hands. Each person who came and volunteered to help, had to be registered and approved in case of accident and injury and this proved extremely time consuming, for already overworked key personnel. Again, many who turned up to help were dressed in shorts and thongs or similar and could not be put in any area of real danger. In addition, there was no useful equipment available to set them up to give real assistance. On the plus side, the use of the large concrete mixers who not only ferried an enormous amount of water to all points of The Dandenongs, but were also put into active fire fighting using their shutes to blackout roadsides.

Overall, the Brigade equipment of C.F.A. and Brigade owned units showed many inadequacies over 3 days of continuous work. Engines boiled, vapour locks were frequent and put vehicles in great danger and it is incredible that only minor accidents were reported. Pumps also gave their fair share of trouble, especially when using water from some of the static filling points. The radio network previously mentioned proved totally inadequate, with prolonged break-downs and at the end of the fire, the whole system was in tatters.

The 1962 fire generated enormous interest in Melbourne through radio and television coverage and it was anticipated (correctly) that the following Saturday and Sunday would see the roads into the hills from the city, cluttered with sightseers. The Brigades of The Dandenong Ranges Group set up collection points at strategic spots and over the weekend collected the princely sum of 2001 pounds The then Lord Mayor of Melbourne had already started a fund to aid those who had lost so much over the whole State and demanded that the collection be added to his appeal forthwith. However, The Group withstood this pressure and as very high frequency (V.H.F.) was just emerging as a viable alternative in radio technology, The Group was able to equip a base station in Upwey and a repeater station on Channel 9’s Mt. Dandenong tower, to cover bad areas of reception, as well as enough mobile sets to outfit most of the tankers in The Group. As far as The Brigade was concerned, it seemed that some good had come out of a very ghastly few days.

On the Friday following the fire, all the Brigade Captains, Group Officers and key personnel were invited to attend a debriefing in the old Upwey Progress Hall. It was attended by The Chief Officer, Mr Alex Larkins, as well as local Victorian M.P. The Hon. Bill Borthwick, who was known affectionately as “Bushfire Bill” because of his support of local volunteer brigades.

The meeting started in a friendly enough fashion until a general plea to the Chief Officer for better (and more) equipment, from most of the brigades present. Bill Borthwick had to excuse himself at this stage to attend another meeting. Instead of answering the questions and requests directly, The Chief Officer unfurled a map covering The Dandenongs and made this extraordinary statement. Pointing to The Basin, he claimed that if the Captain of the brigade at this point had assessed the danger of the situation more seriously, this huge blackened area would not have happened. Captain Don Maguire defended himself strongly but was disappointed that not one of those present gave him any moral support. This was interesting, as although C.F.A. units were predominant during this fire under the old “Marginal Mile”, which was in force in Forestry areas, 9/10ths of the area burnt had come under the area controlled by Forestry and yet they had emerged scot free as far as criticism was concerned.

Captain Maguire, although deeply hurt by the Chief Officers comments (to the extent that he almost gave the fire service away), decided the service was bigger than individuals and stuck with it for another twelve years.

Soon after the 1962 fires, a public meeting was held in a Church Hall in Bayswater to press for a brigade to be formed there. At this stage Bayswater acted as an out-station in conjunction with Boronia. The need for a Bayswater Brigade was indeed a pressing issue, with a tremendous build up of both residential and factory areas. Although well attended and lots of promises were made, it would be another 7 years before Bayswater was given the green light to form its own Urban Brigade. It was a natural transition with the timing just right, for Bayswater to join and become a very strong member of The Knox Group. The only other brigade to join the group was Montrose, after the changes to the original Lilydale Group.

The Brigade has always been active in other areas including searches for young and old. The Brigade provided considerable assistance with fighting at fires at Strath Creek 1963 and fielded a strong team to the Gippsland fires in 1965. The Land Rover was stationed on Mt “Tassy” and used as a communication vehicle and the old Austin tanker was crewed and sent to Bruthen and finished up at Gelantipy where rain finally extinguished what had been a huge fire. The C.F.A. Officer in charge of this fire was Deputy Chief Officer Arthur Pitfield.

Soon after this, Chief Officer Larkins resigned due to ill health and Arthur Pitfield took over C.F.A. Ieadership.

In 1965 Captain Don Maguire was invited to join the Committee of Management of Ferntree Gully National Park, becoming its Chairman the following year. The Park, bordered as it was by housing, had always been a worry to the neighbourhood fire brigades and Don found himself walking a tightrope between fire protection and conservation. A lot of hard work was put into building concrete tanks at strategic ridge positions, which served well until the high level M.M.B.W. scheme came into being.

In 1967, a new brick Brigade station was built on the site where the present fire station is located. The station was completely financed by fundraising and local contributions. C.F.A. Chairman R. Eason opened the new building as part of the Centenary celebrations.

1968 Bushfires

In the summer of 1968 drought hit the Dandenongs. On February 19, which was a hot gusty day, a fire starting in The Basin spread through Ferntree Gully National Park, to Upper Ferntree Gully and Upwey, destroying 65 homes and the Upwey Progress Hall.

On March 18, another fire was lit near Ferndale Road and threatened Sassafras and Ferny Creek. The lives of several Firemen were at risk and Fire Brigade vehicles were damaged and destroyed. The CFA allocated an 800 gallon Bedford tanker to the Brigade to give extra strength. As a State Emergency vehicle, it was often crewed by volunteers from The Basin and sent to fires around the State over the next few years.

After 1968 fires the Chief Secretary, Sir Arthur Rylah directed the Parks Service, Forestry, the C.O.M. and brigades bordering the Park to come up with a fire protection and prevention plan incorporating the entire Park, fire buffer zones and upgrading and extensions to fire access tracks. Many meetings were held and finally “The Ferntree Gully National Park Fire Protection & Prevention Plan" was adopted in 1968.

This plan was upgraded slightly in 1969 and still remains in place as the basic strategy, should fires start within the Park or around its perimeter. The buying back of private land that was unfortunately subdivided in the 1950’s had almost ceased due to lack of funds, but a lot of progress was made in a buy-back scheme, particularly on the northern boundary in the old New Mystic Lake Estate and this is now part of the Park’s fire buffer zone where a thinning programme of Eucalypts was carried out in the late 1960’s and these areas are given cool burns when this is considered necessary. New tracks were created in the park, water storage tanks installed and communication systems upgraded.

Don Maguire remained Chairman of Ferntree Gully National Park Committee of Management until restructuring of the National Parks Service saw the committee relegated to advisory status. After three years the Advisory Committee disbanded as it seemed to be serving no useful purpose.

The 1968 fires also prompted considerable discussion in local papers about The Basin being the source of fires. An article reproduced on page 12 and a cartoon reproduced on page 10 indicate the feelings of residents of the Dandenongs.

1968 - 1983

The years of 1968 to 1971 were torrid years for The Brigade. These were the years of arson, local suspicion, great tension and pressures, Police investigations and Court appearances which finally lead to disenchantment with the Country Fire Authority. Arthur Cooper, as President and Don Maguire as Captain, are to be commended for their leadership in steering The Brigade through this torrid period.

The years of 1972 and 1973 saw many prominent buildings in The Basin destroyed by fire, some under suspicious circumstances. The Scout Hall, Clevedon, Seventh Day Adventist Camp, Salvation Army Special School and a number of houses were lost.

The Fire Station built in 1967 was replaced by a new urban station in 1977 which was opened by Brigadier R. Eason, Fire Brigade Chairman. The new station was financed by the C.F.A. after the foundations of the previous station became dangerous and the building was condemned and demolished.

Late in 1977, Captain Don Maguire stood down, after 22 years of service, to take up the job of Knox Group Officer. Alan Small was elected new Captain.

In 1979, a hose drying tower and siren platform was supplied by the C.F.A. Former Captain Don Maguire was awarded a B.E.M. for services to the community, particularly the Victorian Fire Service. The Brigade raised $20,000 for a new Ford 350 chassis and cab and built up a high performance pumper unit to serve the needs of the rapidly growing community.

A bushfire in March 1980 burnt out a large area of the Doongalla forest area. This fire burnt for three days and stretched the resources of the Brigade to its limit.

In 1980, the Brigade purchased two sets of breathing apparatus, followed by two additional sets and four spare cylinders. A grant from Knox Council in 1981, enabled the Brigade, as part of the Knox Fire Brigades Group, to introduce personal pagers as a means of “turn-out”, thus eliminating much of the siren use.

In 1983, a Mazda Diesel Twin Cab was purchased at an initial cost of $20,000, with a further $10,000 spent on outfitting it. It served as transport for up to 7 firefighters and carried a generator, elevated lighting towers, smoke extractors, cutting gear, chain saw and other equipment.

1983 saw Victoria’s worst bushfires in modern times known as Ash Wednesday. In fires across the state, forty-seven people died, including thirteen volunteer firefighters. Over 2,000 homes destroyed. Entire towns are virtually wiped out. The Basin tanker rushes from fire to fire until its drive shaft disintegrates.

The granting of Urban status to The Basin Fire Brigade in 1984 was indeed welcome (after years of trying). The Brigade became a D Class Unit, with 20 uniformed members in reserve and full membership of around 45. In the same year, Roy Ritchie decided to stand down as Secretary, after 19 years of dedicated service.

In 1992, The Brigade owned 2 vehicles of its own, and 2 C.F.A. owned vehicles. The Brigade owns a Mazda Salvage van and a Ford Pumper complete with two sets of breathing apparatus and spares. An Annex was built on the north side of the Fire Station to house the Mazda Van. The Fire Brigade owned vehicles are a Hino Diesel Tanker (Tanker 1) capable of carrying 3,000 Litres of water and also carrying two sets of breathing apparatus, and an International petrol Tanker (Tanker 2) capable of carrying 3,000 Litres of water.

In 1993, five Brigade members received The National Medal for Long Service in the Volunteer Brigade. These are: Ray Cotter, Colin Hart, Kevin Hand, John Gribble and Captain Alan Small.

February 1994 saw severe bushfires erupt in NSW. A contingent of CFA members and vehicles travelled to NSW to assist with fighting the fires. The Basin Brigade was represented by Graham Linaker, an experienced member of The Brigade. On returning from NSW, all contingentembers were showered with accolades for their services.

1997 Bushfires

January 21st, 1997 was a hot summer’s day with a strong Northerly wind blowing. Around 12.00 noon, a number of fires erupted in the Montrose area. A short time later, fires erupted in Tobruk Avenue, The Basin and at 2 other places around towards Ferntree Gully. The Montrose fires were extinguished in the early afternoon, but the Tobruk Avenue fire raced up the hill at an intense speed towards Ferny Creek and destroyed a number of houses. Two residents sheltering in their homes were killed when their homes were destroyed. The other 2 fires merged in the Ferntree Gully National Park and headed towards Upwey.

Enormous resources were thrown into battling these fires including water bomber planes borrowed from SA, helicopters and vehicles from around the State. In the Alamein Avenue and Tobruk Avenue areas, bulldozers were called in to construct fire brakes to prevent the fires spreading to the West. By late afternoon, the fires were still threatening areas around Upwey, but were no immediate threat to The Basin. The situation changed dramatically around 6.00 pm when the wind changed to a strong South Westerly. This blew smoke back towards The Basin and rekindled any small fires in The Basin area. Around 7.00 pm the fire jumped Mountain Highway near Alamein Avenue and threatened houses in The Ravine. This fire was quickly extinguished but the smoke in The Basin area was very thick and acrid. This prompted many residents to pack up and leave.

Late evening saw the hillside above Tobruk Avenue glowing from the fires. At least 10 tankers were stationed along the top end of Government Road to prevent the fire sweeping up over Government Road and into The Basin. The fires were eventually contained within the National Park and by midnight the risk to The Basin was minimal.

Three people died and forty-one homes were destroyed along with a CFA truck. Police investigations in the months following the fires revealed that the fires were deliberately lit. However, by the end of 1997 the Police were no closer to finding the culprits and had conceded that there was little chance of any arrests.

Dandenong Ranges brigades received considerable assistance from strike teams elsewhere in the state. Fully crewed teams from as far afield as Camperdown and Warrnambool were on the road for as much as five hours before they got anywhere near the flames.

Other heroes of the fires included the Ladies Auxilliary who worked throughout the day and night preparing food and drink for the fire crews. Each time a unit called in it was restocked with sandwiches, fresh fruit and cold drinks.

The generosity of local organisations and individuals was overwhelming. GlaxoWellcome donated 2,000 cans of soft drink, 100 loaves of bread, 85 crates of orange juice and milk, 30 kilos of ham, 35 packets of cheese and huge amounts of fresh fruit.

Franklins and The Basin Bakery donated foodstuffs, locals dropped in with cheques, two nuns walked in off the street to volunteer their services, a local woman came by at 10 o’clock one night with a huge plate of freshly baked scones and a truckie donated an esky full of cold cans.

1997 - 2007

Fires erupted in Sydney in 1997 and The Basin tanker answered the call with both night and day shift crews.

Late in 1997, The Basin Brigade celebrated 70 years of establishment. At a special annual dinner a number of important awards were made. Long Service awards were presented to Ray Cotter (35 years), Allan Small (30 years), John Gribble (30 years), Alan Dixon (25 years), Steve Smith (25 years), Terry Maro (20 Years) and Glenda Gribble (30 years). The DP Maguire Award, founded by former captain Don Maguire, given for community service and as a measure of the recipient’s having given of themself to their fellow people and the community, providing a tangible benefit or support to the fire brigade was given to Matthew Ahern. The Firefighter of the Year Award was presented to Simon Chapman. The Captain’s Award was presented to Ron Tyler. The Dunkan Award, a nicely polished wooden seating device rescued from a building fire was presented to Martin Jennings.

Fires in Sydney over the 2001-2002 summer saw major strike teams deployed from Victoria including The Basin tanker 2 and crews.

For 71 days in 2003 the North-East of Victoria and Gippsland were on fire destroying forty-one homes, three bridges, over 10,000 livestock and 1.2 million hectares of land. The Basin tanker 2 and rotating crews were in the action from start to finish.

In the 2004 Queen’s Birthday Awards, Allan Small was honoured with the Australian Fire Services Medal (AFSM). Allan has thirty-five years experience as a volunteer firefighter including two decades as captain of The Basin Fire Brigade and later as President. He also is Group Officer with the Knox Group of CFA Brigades.

The summer of 2006/2007 saw devasting fires in Victoria’s high country. Strike teams from The Basin with tanker 2 and the pumper were away almost continuously.

Fire Brigade Groups

The Dandenong Ranges Fire Brigades Group was formed around 1950 and The Basin Fire Brigade was an active member of the group until 1965 when the Knox Group was formed.

After the 1962 fires, officers in the Brigades in the lower areas, Boronia, The Basin, Lower Ferntree Gully, Lysterfield and Rowville, met to decide their future and a deputation met with Chief Officer Larkins to request that these brigades be allowed to form a new group. This was met with a firm refusal on the grounds that such a group would not be strong enough.

After the Brigades of the lower areas involvement in the Strath Creek fires in 1963, a number of officers put to the Deputy Chief Officer Arthur Pitfield who was in charge of these fires what would be some of the many advantages of the break-away group. Again, this was met with refusal.

In 1965, the Brigades of the lower areas again applied to secede from the Dandenong Ranges Group and form their own Group and their application was upheld. This coincided with the breakaway of Knox from Ferntree Gully Shire and the suggestion was accepted that the group be called The Knox Group of Fire Brigades. This move was not accomplished without a lot of opposition, particularly from members of The Dandenong Ranges Group who felt it would weaken the overall strength of the group.

The Basin Fire Brigade’s involvement with the Knox Group has been extensive, with members filling a variety of key roles in administration, as well as operationally, with a Group Officer, Deputy Group Officers, Group Comms Officers and others.

Ladies Auxiliary

The Basin Fire Brigade Ladies Auxiliary was formed in 1955, with Mrs Betty Turner as first President. They worked tirelessly to raise funds for a number of projects. One of the first major efforts was the raising of funds to construct a meeting room for the first Basin Fire Station. This was completed in August, 1957 on the north side of the vehicle bay, which greatly improved facilities.

The Ladies Auxiliary has given the Brigade unwavering support. They have always been on hand to feed the volunteers at the firefront and when they return after operations. They have also raised funds to support and equip the active Junior Fire Brigade.

In 1997, Glenda Gribble was awarded a Life Membership of The Basin Fire Brigade Ladies Auxiliary.

Christmas Eve Santa Trips

The Christmas Eve “Santa Trips”, started back in the 1960’s have grown to an almost embarrassing stage, as has the supplying of Santas and vehicles for Christmas parties.

On Christmas Eve the Brigade fire trucks circulate through The Basin with Santa stationed on the back. The trucks have an on-board sound system playing Christmas carols as Santa waves and distributes lollies to children and adults. Santa is sometimes lucky and receives gifts in return.

These trips started when The Brigade only had one vehicle but these days all vehicles are utilised. The Brigade considers the Santa trips as an important community service and continues and enhances the service every year.

Fire Alarm Systems

Until 1932, the Brigade had no formal alarm system. A “co-ee” was a popular method of raising alarm but this was of course very limited. For the few residents who had cars or telephones, these were used. Horses and bicycles were also used. Any visible signs of smoke always provoked investigation in case it was caused from an uncontrolled fire.

In 1932, as a token of his appreciation of the Brigade efforts at his Doongalla property, T. M. Burke donated a large bell, which was mounted on a pole above the shed on the side of The Basin Progress Hall. This was the first formal alarm that the Brigade utilised. The first person in attendance rang the bell by pulling a wire to summon crews to attend any fire. Jack Manders, who lived near Toorak Avenue, also had a bell mounted over his gate.

At this time, the telephone system consisted of a manual exchange in a tiny room at Bayswater with only a small percentage of residents connected to the system. It was operated by one dedicated lady, Miss Baker, who lived on the premises and seemed to be available at all times to pass on messages, particularly when a crisis existed.

In 1953, when the first The Basin Fire Station was completed, the Brigade’s first electric sirens were installed on a windmill adjacent the Station. The bell donated in 1932 by T. M. Burke was moved from The Basin Progress Hall to the windmill. For a time sirens were also installed on Wright’s and Langdon’s stores for local warnings.

In 1967, when the second fire station was completed, the electric siren was moved to the tower built with the station.

In 1979, a hose drying tower and siren platform was erected at the rear of the new station erected in 1976.

Fire sirens have always been tested on a weekly basis and residents are used to regularly hearing the siren at the fixed testing times. Until April 1975, the siren was tested at 8.00 p.m. every Tuesday. After complaints from residents with young children, the testing time was changed to 10.00 a.m. on Sundays. This time conflicted with the St. Mary’s bells that were rung at the same time, and the time was changed to 9.50 a.m. on Sunday.

Carols by Candlelight

After the fires in 1983, the Brigade made a determined effort, as a voluntary group and a necessary part of the community, to involve other people in a community activity, with the side agenda of generating fire awareness.

And so began in 1984 the first “Carols by Candlelight” at The Triangle with the help of the Salvation Army, local schools and other local groups. It was so successful that it has become an annual local event. The local Federal member, Steve Crabb, who lived in The Basin at the time, conducted the first Carols by Candlelight and continued for many years.

Good Friday Appeal

As part of the Knox Group, The Brigade assists yearly with the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday appeal with the Group collecting nearly $30,000 in 1992.

Junior Fire Brigade

Cr. Guy Turner encouraged the formation of a junior firemen’s club in 1959, by donating a trophy for “keenest junior”. The club continued for many years until interest waned.

The club restarted shortly after the 1983 fires when there was a surge of interest in Fire Brigades. In accordance with modern naming, the club was renamed the Junior Fire Brigade. A running team was formed later that year.

Each year, the team competes in a number of competitions including the State Championships, where in 1992, a second place was gained in an event for two competitors.

Although junior’s have a lot of fun, they also learn serious and valuable skills that can benefit them throughout their lives, no matter what career and/or volunteer paths they may later choose. Many junior’s go on to join The Basin Fire Brigade as full volunteer firefighters when they reach 17.

Community Involvement

As well as managing bushfires, the brigade also deals with other incidents and runs various education programs.

The brigade responds to house fires, car fires and road accidents as well as dealing with fallen trees and powerlines during storms. To deal with the various incidents, the brigade draws on the skills of its members trained in everything from first-aid to chainsaw usage. Members are continuously building their skill set, with numerous training courses on offer through the CFA and an in-house training regime.

The CFA runs a number of community education programs, many of which are administered directly by brigade volunteers. From the pre-summer Bushfire-Blitz program which educates home owners on asset protection and fire safety, to brigades in schools which teaches children about fire safety.

Sources of Information

• The Basin Centenary booklet.

• “Fire on the Hill, Flowers on the Valley”..

• 1962 bushfires and early Brigade history - Don Maguire.

• Local Residents and Basin Fire Brigade members.

• Boronia & The Basin Community News.

• Janet Dobson diaries.

Index

A

Agar, Mr

bushfire 1905    2

Ahern, Matthew

Basin Fire Brigade DP Maguire Award    13

Albert Ave.

and 1962 bushfires    8

Ashbury, J.

Basin Rural Fire Brigade first Secretary    5

Ashby, Charlie

Basin Fire Brigade Secretary 1953    5

B

Baker, Miss

early Bayswater Exchange operator    15

Baldwin

bushfire 1904    1

Ballarat Fire Brigade

centenary    2

Barnes

bushfire 1904    1

Basin Bush Fire Brigade

See Basin Fire Brigade

Basin Fire Brigade

Alan Small Captain 1977 - 1997    11

arsonist 1930’s    4

assistance with Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday appeal    15

Basin Rural Fire Brigade formation 1949    5

building fires

Clevedon 1972    11

Salvation Army Special School 1973    11

Scout Hall 1972    11

building of annex 1992    11

Bush Fire Brigade

disbanded 1945    5

formation 1927    3

loss of membership after WW2    5

reconstituted 1946    5

bushfires

1932 Doongalla    4

1939 “Black Friday”    4

1960 The Basin    5

1962 - arrest of fire-bug    8

1962 - fire-bug    7

1962 The Basin    7 - 8

1963 Strath Creek    10

1965 Gippsland    10

1968 Dandenongs (first)    10

1968 Dandenongs (second)    10

1980 Doongalla Forest Reserve    11

1983 Ash Wednesday    11

1994 NSW    12

1997 Dandenongs    13

1997 NSW    13

2001 NSW    13

2003 Victoria    13

2006 Victoria    14

Christmas eve “Santa Trips”  11    14

Don Maguire Captain 1955 - 1977    1

early equipment and storage    3

fire Seventh Day Adventist Camp 1973    11

fire stations

first - 1953    5

first - Photo    4

second 1967    10

third - 1977    11

urban    11

first 1st Lt. Herb Clark 1927    3

first alarm bell donated by T. M. Burke    15

first Captain Jack Manders 1927    3

first Carols by Candlelight    15

first purchase of breathing apparatus    11

granting of Urban status 1984    11

introduction of pagers    11

junior Fire Brigade - State Championships    15

junior Fire Brigade reforming    15

junior firemens club disbanded    15

junior firemens club formation    15

Knox Group of Fire Brigades - formation    14

Ladies Auxiliary formation    14

Ladies Auxiliary fundraising    14

members acting as air raid wardens in WW2    5

siren

eliminated by pagers    11

first - 1953    15

once at Langdon’s Store    15

once at Wright’s Store    15

platform 1979    11,15

testing    15

torrid years 1967 - 1971    11

vehicles

1920’s - International Truck    3

1930’s - Bert Chandler’s Morris Truck    3

1930’s - Harry Chandler’s Morris Truck    3

1949 - Furphy tank and pump    5

1953 -  Regional Austin 400 gal. tanker    5

1954 - first tanker    5

1959 - Austin Small Town Unit    5

1960 -  Land Rover    5

1968 - 800 gal. Bedford tanker    10

1979 - Ford 350 chassis and cab    11

1983  - Mazda Diesel Twin Cab    11

1992 - Ford Pumper    11

1992 - Hino Diesel Tanker    12

1992 - International petrol tanker    12

1992 - Mazda Salvage van    11

Basin Fire Station

See Basin Fire Brigade

Basin Ladies Auxiliary

See Basin Fire Brigade

Basin Progress Hall

Basin Fire Brigade equipment stored in shed beside - 1927    3

Basin Rural Fire Brigade constituted 1949    5

first Basin Fire Brigade bell beside    15

first fire brigade bell moved from    15

reconstitution of Basin Bush Fire Brigade    5

Basin Rural Fire Brigade

See Basin Fire Brigade

Basin-Olinda Road

and 1962 bushfires    8

Batterham Reserve

Don Maguire Committee Member    1

Bayswater Exchange

early manual exchange    15

Bayswater Fire Brigade

formation    10

Bayview Crescent

and 1962 bushfires    8

Bendigo Fire Brigade

centenary    2

Black Friday

Basin Fire Brigade involvement    4

Boronia Fire Brigade

assistance with 1962 bushfires    7

assisting Basin Brigade 1940’s    5

Bayswater as outstation    10

formation of Knox Group of Fire Brigades    14

volunteer Brigade formed 1942    5

Borthwick, Bill

and “Bushfire Bill”    9

debriefing after 1962 bushfires    9

Bravery, G

member of The Basin Fire Brigade in 1936 - photo     3

Burke, T. M.

1932 Doongalla bushfire    4

donation of bell to Basin Fire Brigade    14

first fire station and donated bell    15

Burke’s Look-out

bushfire 1904    1

Bushfires

See Basin Fire Brigade

C

Caughey, L

member of The Basin Fire Brigade in 1936 - photo     3

Centenary celebrations - 1967

Basin Fire Station opening    10

Chandler    3

and Lady Knox recollections of 1926 bushfire in The Basin    3

early farming communities    2

Chandler, A.E.

bushfire 1905    1

Chandler, Bert

Basin Bush Fire Brigade Captain 1935    4

Basin Rural Fire Brigade land donation    5

involvement in Basin Bush Fire Brigade 1940’s    5

Morris truck - used by Basin Brigade 1930’s    3

uncle of Don Maguire    1

Chandler, Harry

bushfire 1905    2

Morris truck - used by Basin Brigade 1930’s    3

Chandler, John

Basin Rural Fire Brigade first Captain    5

Chandlers Hill

and 1962 bushfires    8

Chapman, Simon

Basin Fire Brigade Firefighter of the year award    13

Clark, Graham

served in Basin Rural Fire Brigade    3

Clark, Herb

Basin Bush Fire Brigade Lt. 1927    3

member of The Basin Fire Brigade in 1936 - photo     3

Clevedon

fire destroyed 1972    11

start of 1962 bushfires    7

Collier

early farming communities    2

Cooper, Arthur

Basin Fire Brigade President 1953    5

Basin Fire Brigade torrid years    11

Cotter, Ray

Basin Fire Brigade long service award 35 years    13

National Medal For Long Service in the Volunteer Brigade    12

Country Fire Authority

formation 1944    5

when formed encompassed Bush Fire Brigades    5

when formed encompassed Urban Fire Brigade    5

Crabb, Steve

conducting Carols by Candlelight    15

D

Dandenong Ranges Group of Fire Brigades

breakaway group    14

collection after 1962 bushfires    9

developed “Gunga Dhin” fire fighting technique    6

purchase of VHF equipment after 1962 fires    9

Davis, Mrs

bushfire 1904    1

Devil’s Elbow

and 1962 bushfires    8

Dickensons

bushfire 1905    2

Dickson

bushfire 1905    2

Dixon, Alan

Basin Fire Brigade long service award 25 years    13

Dobson    3

and Lady Knox recollections of 1926 bushfire in The Basin    3

early farming communities    2

Dobson, Janet (diary)

bushfires in Basin 1900 - 1920    1

Dodds

bushfire 1905    1

Doongalla

bushfire 1932    4

Doongalla Forest

and 1962 bushfires    7

E

Eaglehawk Fire Brigade

centenary    2

Eason, R.

opening of second Basin fire station    10

opening of third Basin fire station 1977    11

Eaves, F.

Basin Rural Fire Brigade first Treasurer    5

F

Farlands, Mr

bushfire 1905    1

Ferndale

bushfire 1920    2

destroyed in 1962 bushfires    7

International truck used for fire fighting 1920’s    3

Ferndale Road

1968 bushfire lit on    10

Ferntree Gully Fire Brigade

assistance with 1962 bushfires    7

assisting Basin Brigade 1940’s    5

Ferntree Gully National Park

and 1962 bushfires    8

and fire fighting techniques    6

bushfire 1962    7

bushfire 1968    10

Committee of Management    10

Ferntree Gully National Park Fire Protection & Prevention Plan    11

Ferntree Gully Shire

breakaway of Knox from    14

Ferny Creek

and 1962 bushfires    7

Fire Brigade

See Basin Fire Brigade

Fire Buffer Zones

first mooted    10

Fire Siren

See Basin Fire Brigade

Fire Station

See Basin Fire Brigade

Fitzgeralds, Mr

bushfire 1905    2

Forest Lodge Restaurant    6

Forest Road

Basin Fire Brigade first fire station - Photo    4

G

Geelong City Fire Brigade

centenary    2

Gilbert    3

and Lady Knox recollections of 1926 bushfire in The Basin    3

Glasgow Road

and 1962 bushfires    7

Goodwin

bushfire 1920    2

Government Road

bushfire 1905    2

Gribble, Glenda

Basin Fire Brigade long service award 30 years    13

life membership of The Basin Fire Brigade Auxiliary    14

Gribble, John

Basin Fire Brigade long service award 30 years    13

National Medal For Long Service in the Volunteer Brigade    12

Grumont, Mr

bushfire 1920    2

H

Hand, Kevin

National Medal For Long Service in the Volunteer Brigade    12

Hansen, E.

bushfire 1905    1

Hart, Colin

National Medal For Long Service in the Volunteer Brigade    12

Hazel Dell

bushfire 1905    1 - 2

Howe’s Greengrocer - Photo    6

J

Jacksons, Mr

bushfire 1905    2

Jennings, A

member of The Basin Fire Brigade in 1936 - photo     3

Junior Fire Brigade

See Basin Fire Brigade

Junior Firemen’s Club

See Basin Fire Brigade

K

Kallista

and 1962 bushfires    9

Kerr

bushfire 1904    1

early farming communities    2

Knox Fire Brigades Group

Don Maguire Group Officer 1975 - 1987    1

Knox Group of Fire Brigades

formation 1965    14

Knox, John

recollections of 1926 bushfire in The Basin    3

Knox, Lady

recollections of 1926 bushfire in The Basin    3

L

Ladies Auxiliary

See Basin Fire Brigade

Langdon, George

Basin Fire Brigade Lt. 1935    4

member of The Basin Fire Brigade in 1936 - photo     3

Langdons Store

once had fire siren    15

Larkins, Alex

debriefing after 1962 bushfires    9

formation of Knox Group of Fire Brigades    14

resignation from CFA    10

Leak, Mrs

bushfire 1905    2

Lilydale Fire Brigade

centenary    2

Linaker, Graham

assisted in 1994 NSW bushfires    12

Linton, J

member of The Basin Fire Brigade in 1936 - photo     3

Liverpool Road

and 1962 bushfires    8

Lower Ferntree Gully Fire Brigade

formation of Knox Group of Fire Brigades    14

Lysterfield Fire Brigade

formation of Knox Group of Fire Brigades    14

M

Maguire, Don

awarding of B.E.M.    11

B.E.M.    1

Basin Fire Brigade torrid years    11

Basin Rural Fire Brigade first 1st Lt.    5

batting record    1

became Basin Fire Brigade Captain 1954    5

bushfire 1962 - own property threatened    8

bushfire 1962 - plan to save Montrose    8

bushfire 1962 - Police problems    8

bushfire 1962 - problems with terrain, equipment and helpers    7

bushfire 1962 - start of    7

bushfire 1962 - strategy attacked    9

Captain Basin Fire Brigade 1955 -1977    1

Chairman Ferntree Gully National Park Committee 1965 - 1977    1

Chairman of Ferntree Gully National Park Committee of Management    11

death 1994    1

distinguished resident    1

Group Officer Knox Fire Brigades Group 1975 - 1987    1

Group Officer Knox Fire Brigades Group 1975 - 1987     11

joined FTG National Park Committee of Management 1965    10

life member CFA    1

member Batterham Reserve Committee    1

on board of Glengollan Retirement Village    1

played country tennis    1

played for Boronia Football Club    1

Queens Long Service & Good Conduct Medal    1

stood down as Captain 1977    11

Maguire, J.

bushfire - 1905    1

bushfire 1920    2

Manders, Jack

first Basin Bush Fire Brigade Captain 1927    3

had fire bell on gate - 1930’s    15

member of The Basin Fire Brigade in 1936 - photo     3

Maro, Terry

Basin Fire Brigade long service award 20 years    13

Matthews, S.R.

bushfire 1905    1

McKenzie, Mr

bushfire 1920    2

McLaren, H.

and Basin Rural Fire Brigade formation 1949    5

reconstitution of Basin Bush Fire Brigade    5

Medway, Mr

bushfire 1920    2

Mill track

and bushfire 1920    2

Mitcham

bushfire 1905    2

Montrose

and 1962 bushfires    7 - 8

Montrose Fire Brigade

joining Knox Group of Fire Brigades    10

Mount Dandenong Tourist Road

and 1962 bushfires    7

Mount View Road

and 1962 bushfires    8

Mt. Dandenong    3

Mt. Dandenong Ridge Road

and 1962 bushfires    7

Mt. Evelyn

and 1962 bushfires    8

N

New Mystic Lake Estate

buying back land    11

O

Olinda

and 1962 bushfires    7 - 8

Olinda Fire Brigade

assistance with 1962 bushfires    7

One Tree Hill

and 1962 bushfires    7

bushfire 1904    1

P

Pitfield, Arthur

became Chief Officer CFA    10

forming Knox Group of Fire Brigades    14

in charge of Strath Creek fires 1963    10

Poole, V.

Basin Fire Brigade Treasurer 1953    5

Popes

early farming communities    2

Presbyterian Church - Photo    6

Q

Queens Long Service & Good Conduct Medal

Don Maguire    1

R

Ravine, The

and 1962 bushfires    7

threatened by 1997 bushfires    13

Ritchie, Roy

stood down as Secretary Basin Fire Brigade 1984  10    11

Rowville Fire Brigade

formation of Knox Group of Fire Brigades    14

Rylah, Sir Arthur

after 1968 bushfires - management plan    10

and 1962 bushfires    9

S

Salvation Army

and Carols by Candlelight    15

Salvation Army Special School

fire destroyed 1973    11

Santa Trips

See Basin Fire Brigade

Sassafras

and 1962 bushfires    9

Sassafras-Ferny Creek Fire Brigade

assistance with 1962 bushfires    7

Scouts

fire destroyed hall 1972    11

Seaton, Mr.

presented first Basin Fire Brigade tanker    5

Seventh Day Adventist Camp

fire destroyed hall 1973    11

Sheffield Road

and 1962 bushfires    7

Sherbrooke Forest

and 1962 bushfires    9

bushfire re-establishment by    1

originally cut down    1

Short Street

and 1962 bushfires    8

Silvan Dam

and 1962 bushfires    8

Siren

See Basin Fire Brigade

Small, Alan

Awarded Australian Fire Services Medal in 2004    14

Basin Fire Brigade long service award 30 years    13

elected Captain 1977    11

National Medal for Long Service in the Volunteer Brigade    12

Smith, D

member of The Basin Fire Brigade in 1936 - photo     3

Smith, Steve

Basin Fire Brigade long service award 25 years    13

St. Marys Church of England

bells clashing with fire siren testing    15

Stevens, Captain

bushfire 1905    2

Stretton, Judge

Black Friday report    5

Switzerland Estate

bushfire 1905    2

T

Tobruk Avenue

source of one of the 1997 Dandenongs fires    13

Toorak Avenue

bushfire 1905    2

Mr. Manders had fire bell 1930’s    15

Triangle, The

first Carols by Candlelight    15

Turner, Betty

first Basin Fire Brigade Ladies Auxiliary President    14

Turner, Cr. Guy

formation of Basin Junior firemens club    15

Tyler, Ron

Basin Fire Brigade Captains Award    13

U

Upwey Progress Hall

debriefing after 1962 bushfires    9

destroyed in bushfire 1968    10

W

Wicks Road

start of 1962 bushfires    7

Wicks, Jack

bushfire 1905    2

bushfire 1920    2

William Angliss Hospital

and 1962 bushfires    8

Williams, J

member of The Basin Fire Brigade in 1936 - photo     3

Williams, W

member of The Basin Fire Brigade in 1936 - photo     3

Wright, Bill

became Basin Fire Brigade 1st Lt. 1954    5

Wrights Store

once had fire siren    15