Clive Horwood’s recollections — page 1

Glenhaven Bush Fire Brigade As my wife and I and family returned to Glenhaven in 1957-58 the committee of the Glenhaven Bush Fire Brigade asked me to take over the Brigade as Captain and try and get the residents to co-operate with its members and Council, as the committee said I was well trained in fire matters and had plenty of experience. So after much discussion and inspection of the poorly maintained tank, hand pump, and knapsacks I agreed, on the condition that all equipment be returned to me and kept in my shed for use at fires. This caused many protests from residents as they were using the rakes, axes and knapsacks and hoses for their own use and most of it was in poor condition. However we got over this by offering residents the use of a knapsack when needed. As the equipment slowly trickled in it became quite clear most of it would have to be replaced. At a meeting with the Shire President and other interested members it was agreed to appoint a Fire Control officer and an Equipment Officer. Councillor Alf Whaling was appointed Fire Control Officer and Mr Hart Equipment Officer. We found Alf Whaling helpful and co-operative. Having met Sid Cadwell and Joe Firth the Captains of Annangrove and Kellyville and found them co-operative we arranged a Christmas party at Kellyville Fire Shed where we agreed to ask Council for a Fire Brigade meeting annually, with the Board of Fire Commissioners at Baulkham hills Council Chambers at Castle Hill. It was then agreed to arrange a meeting with Alf Whaling and also approach other Brigades in the Shire for co-operation. Gradually the outer residents of the Shire began to understand that Council received large sums of money for its Bush Fire Brigade’s equipment and administration, from the Government, Insurance Companies and Council Rates and demanded more fire sheds, tankers, better equipment and wireless and a permanent and trained Fire Control Officer. After a bad fire that started at Kellyville and was stopped at lower Glenhaven the Shire President and Arthur Whaling came to this fire and informed us the Council were going to appoint a permanent Fire Control Officer who would also have control of all buildings and equipment. The Brigades who by this time were beginning to co-operate well with one another, suggested Lionel Smith, as he was a very capable chap and interested in communications, wireless etc. Council duly appointed Lionel Smith and our Bush Fire Brigades became very efficient and the local residents very helpful and interested in our fire brigades. At the fire shed at Glenhaven we had frequent meetings on Sunday mornings to train and maintain our equipment. We obtained a good secondhand fridge from Keith Templeton and a large soft drink cooler from Cottees and soft drinks from Cottees at cost price. About this time we were having complaints from our Church in Glenhaven Road that we were interfering with church services so we left our meeting until church services were over on Sundays.