7th February 1979
Letter from Council to Brigade permitting sale of obsolete knapsacks for making improvements to the new station.
22nd February 1979
Letter from Brigade to Council advising and inviting Shire Clerk and Councillors to opening of Fire Shed at 7.30pm Friday 9th March, 1979.
5th March 1979 (File letter)
“It was interesting to note that the Metropolitan Brigade use Storts(sic) couplings.”
Editor’s note : We are not sure exactly when Storz couplings were introduced to the Bush Fire Brigade.
15th March 1979 (Station records)
Letter from DFCO re fire calls to Sutherland, Goulburn and William Place, North Rocks over the past few months.
20th March 1979
Shire President’s report of station opening mentions the Brigades involvement in the recent fires in the Mt. Chatsbury and Mittagong areas.
(Can anyone list any more details about these fires)
1979/1980 Officers
President H. Holland
Secretary N. Bent
Captain T. Muston
Deputy Captains C. McMaster, H. Holland, N. Bent, P. Edwards, J. Novotny, I. Matheson, R. McMaster, E. Woodcock, W. Dando
Equipment Officer C. McMaster
4th April 1979
Letter from Brigade to Council indicating Shire President’s approval at the station’s opening ceremony to change the name on the sign on the front of the shed from “Glenhaven Bush Fire Brigade” to “Glenhaven Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade”. The importance of local residents being aware that this is an unpaid activity was stressed.
15th May 1979
Letter from Council to Brigade suggesting the wording “Glenhaven Fire Station 1979” might be more appropriate.
5th June 1979
Letter from Brigade to Council reiterating that the original wording for the sign is still required.
27th June 1979
Letter from Council to Brigade advising Brigade that incorrect station sign has been removed and the new sign will be erected at an early date.
18th July 1979
DFCO Report indicating sign is complete and ready for erection ASAP.
August 1979 (Station records)
Hose register instigated by Council ie “005 G” would be Glenhaven’s hose number 5.
When did the colour coded system start? Is it 005 G or C?
7th September 1979
Letter from Council to Brigade enclosing cheque for $150 to assist with expenses incurred during the opening of the Fire Station.
13th December 1979
Hills District News – Glenhaven at the ready
December 1979 – Blue Mountains Fire in the Grose Valley between Mt Wilson and Bilpin and along the Kurrajong Bilpin Road. Glenhaven’s tanker sustained minor damage during this fire (see letter of 5/6/80). A thank you letter on station records lists the affected areas as Bilpin, Berambing, Kurrajong Heights, Mount Irvine, Mountain Lagoon, Mount Tomah, Mount Tootie and Mount Wilson.
7th January 1980 (Station records)
Letter from Bilpin Brigade thanking Brigade for assistance at recent fires.
17th January 1980 (Station records)
Letter from Mt Irvine & Mt Wilson Brigades thanking Brigade for assistance at fires on Christmas Eve.
18th January 1980
Letter from Brigade to Council re equipment lost during Forest Glen and Blue Mountains fires last month.
1980/1981 Officers
President H. Holland
Secretary N. Bent
Treasurer Mrs B. Sherlock
Captain T. Muston
Senior Deputy Captain W. Dando
Deputy Captains P. Vogel, I. Matheson, J. Novotny, P. Edwards, E. Woodcock, N. Bent, H. Holland
Equipment Officer E. Woodcock
5th June 1980
Letter from Brigade to Council re authority to purchase equipment for tanker and rover
“that spare radiator hoses and fan belts carried on both vehicles would be a wise precaution, having regard to any immobilising of these vehicles in a fire situation far from available spares or at a time when suppliers might be closed.”
…….
“It was also considered that the original equipment flasher lights on the tanker were inadequate for warning other traffic, and the vehicle had no hazard lights or reversing lights. These were bought together with a new hazard switch for the Landrover. We had experienced the necessity when in fire situations at night, for a pair of powerful working lights at the rear of the tanker for any work on the pump and for illumination when reversing the vehicle on bush tracks at night; due to the configuration of the tank the spotlight on the cab roof did not illuminate the pump.”
…….
“In addition, we bought an extension for the exhaust pipe on the tanker. The original equipment ended just at the back of the cab, and exhaust fumes were entering the cab and could be breathed by the crew members sitting on the outside seat behind the cab.”
…….
“I should point out that the modification of the tanker and the fitting of this material, together with the necessary welding with privately-owned equipment and other work on damage sustained by the tanker in the December 1979 Blue Mountains fires, has been carried out by Brigade members over several working evenings without any labour cost to Council.”
July 1980 (Station records)
Letter to Brigade from Council advising that 27MHz C.B. Radios could now be used in vehicles.
21st September 1980
Letter from Brigade to Council about H. Holland resuming Presidency and the removal of a large dead tree at the side of the shed, which is beyond the capacity of the brigade to handle.
October 1980 (Station records)
Councillor K.J. Ford resigns as Fire Control Officer since 1967. Lionel Smith takes over.
December 1980 (Station records)
New type of uniform issued, much lighter than the previous one. University tests are taking place to see whether or not they are as good.
30th December 1980 (Station records)
Letter from Wollongong Council re assistance at their recent State of Emergency fires
(Can anyone provide dates and brigade involvement? Tom Muston suggests checking Fire Control and Headquarters logs)
(Need equipment list for 1980/1981 otherwise will use 1978/1979 one on file)
6th January 1981
Letter from Brigade to Council about numerous requests over past 2 months to service tanker’s slipping clutch and faulty pump.
“In view of your instruction that our tanker is not to be used outside the Glenhaven area due to its above unserviceability, we believe that service on it should be carried out and a replacement tanker made immediately available. We are naturally disappointed at the long delay in allowing our Brigade to become 100 per cent available for fire calls.”
6th January 1981
Letter from Brigade to Council about recent reconstruction of Glenhaven road destroying concrete apron over the grass verge to the Fire Station.
4th February 1981
Letter from Council to Brigade about repairs to tanker
“the mechanic was unable to fault the pump which was run for a full half hour, and which continued to operate satisfactorily.”
……
“Because of reasonable falls of rain in the past few weeks, the Glenhaven International tanker has been repaired, a new clutch has been fitted and a further check carried out on the pump motor.”
1981/1982 Officers
Secretary N. Bent
Captain T. Muston
Senior Deputy Captain W. Dando
Deputy Captains I. Matheson, P. Edwards, J. Novotny, E. Woodcock, N. Bent, H. Holland, C. McMaster
Equipment Officer E. Woodcock
Personnel available 30
24th June 1981
Letter from Brigade to Council about roadwork on Glenhaven Road covering fire hydrant location including the one outside the fire shed, with soil. The removal of the dead tree was also queried.
6th July 1981
Letter from Council to Brigade – matters of location of hydrants and removal of dead tree are being attended to.
“For your information it is also advised that the new pumping unit is currently being fitted to your International tanker, along with other repairs which have been found to be necessary on the tanker itself
, and it is expected that the vehicle will be returned to your station during the week of 6th July, 1981.”
10th July 1981
Handwritten note on file by Council Engineer – Overseer to make an urgent inspection and comply with request to remove soil covering hydrants.
13th July 1981
Handwritten note on file by Council Engineer – arrangements have been made to remove the tree this week.
3rd November 1981
Letter from Wal Dando to Brigade re resignation from Brigade
“This letter is to advise my intention to resign as Senior Deputy Captain of your Brigade. We will be leaving the area to start our own business on the Central Coast. … I plan to join Lake Munmorah Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade in the near future.”
7th November 1981
Letter from Brigade to Council expressing members concern at the removal of both vehicles from the station without notification, and the lengthy absence of the tanker.
4th December 1981
Letter from Council to Brigade re removal of vehicles
27th April 1982
Letter from Brigade to Council concerning relocation of fire siren, presently stored in our shed to Mr Ernie Overs place at 74 Glenhaven Road. Council were asked to arrange for its installation.
1982/1983 Officers
President H. Holland
Secretary N. Bent
Captain T. Muston
Senior Deputy Captain E. Woodcock
Deputy Captains H. Holland, J. Novotny, N. Bent, G. McMaster, P. Edwards
Equipment Officer E. Woodcock
Asst. Equipment Officer J. Novotny
22nd June 1982
Council meeting – Glenhaven’s lease is believed to have expired. FCO asked to investigate this matter and arrange to renew lease.
1st July 1982
Letter from Brigade to Council enclosing an account from Westmead Outpatient Centre “for treatment of an injury sustained by Mr. Barry Bell of this Brigade during the burn-off in the Bannerman Rd area on May 29, 1982.”
3rd November 1982
Letter from Council to Brigade re Lease of land
“I understand that the Glenhaven Bush Fire Brigade needs more space and that discussions have been held regarding the lease of the whole of the Progress Association’s land, approximately 31 perches, for Brigade purposes.”
November 1982
2 quotes for station painting appear on Council file including front and rear gable end, soffit under gables, barge flashing, fascia and eaves, guttering, switch box, downpipes and exposed PVC and vent pipe, steel security grills and side door.
November 1982 (Station records)
Letter from Council thanking the Bush Fire Brigade for saving many homes in the area. (West Pennant Hills or Blue Mountains?)
6th December 1982 (Station records)
Letter from Council to Brigade thanking them for their involvement in recent major fires in Blue Mountains.
Tom Muston says to check Fire Control / Headquarters logs.
14 December 1982 (Station records)
Letter from Council to Brigade thanking them for their involvement at major fires in the West Pennant Hills Valley in the Cumberland State Forest.
January 1983 (Station records)
Glenhaven attended major fire at Bobbin Head, Mt Colah and Ku-Ring-Gai National Park.
(Do we have any more details on these 3 fires?)
(The fertilizer drive began around 1983. It continues to this day as a fund raising initiative of the brigade)
25th February 1983
Letter from Brigade to Panton Hill Rural Fire Brigade re donation for Ash Wednesday Fires (affecting Victoria and South Australia)
“We enclose our cheque for $1200.00 towards the relief of the families of your five members who died in the recent disastrous fires. ….we felt we would like to do something for a small brigade in a community probably only the same size as ours. Last weekend we stationed our vehicles at the entrance of a local plant nursery and the funds we are sending you are the contributions of customers visiting there.
Would you please pass on to the bereaved families our deepest sympathy at their loss in the appalling experience you have all suffered.”
The Captain’s report for 1983 (station records) states “last year has probably been one of the quietest on record.”
1983/1984 Officers
President H. Holland
Secretary N. Bent
Treasurer T. Harris
Captain T. Muston
Deputy Captain B. Bell (see June 1983)
2nd June 1983
Letter from Brigade to Council re elevation of Barry Bell to Deputy Captain
Glenhaven won trophy for most improved brigade at the field days held at the Masonic Schools, Baulkham Hills (station records)
5th February 1984
Minutes of Annual General Meeting of Brigade
Membership fee set at 20 cents
1984/1985 Officers
President H. Holland
Vice President P. Edwards
Secretary N. Bent
Treasurer T. Harris
Captain E. Woodcock
Senior Deputy Captain T. Muston
Deputy Captains N. Bent, T. Harris, P. Edwards, H. Holland, G. McMaster
Equipment Officer T. Harris
Asst. Equipment Officer G. McMaster
Intelligence & Liason Officer P. Edwards
Auditor C.D.M. Walker
This completed 12 years as Captain of the brigade by Tom Muston, who did not seek re-election.
12th December 1984
Letter from Acting President of the Brigade to Federal Honours Secretariat nominating
· Henry George Holland Foundation President of the brigade in 1951, who held a number of positions until his retirement in 1984. It is also recommended that he be awarded a clasp to the medal.
· Norman Hector Bent M.B.E., E.D., (Major)R.T.D. R. of O. who joined the brigade in or before 1965, who has been secretary for the last 18 years and a Deputy Captain of the Brigade and is still an active member
· Thomas Cecil Muston who joined the brigade on the 3rd June 1968 and is still an active member. He retired from the position of Captain a couple of years ago (after 11 years in the position) but is presently a Deputy Captain.
1985/1986 Officers
President P. Edwards
Secretary N. Bent
Captain E. Woodcock
Senior Deputy Captain B. Bell, later replaced by T. Harris
Deputy Captains T. Harris, N. Bent, D. Morse, T. Muston
Equipment Officer R. Posner
(Incomplete list)
17th April 1985
Council memo requesting ‘No Parking’ signs be placed in an appropriate location to prevent parking on both sides of Glenhaven Road to allow easy access to the station in times of emergency, following a complaint from the Brigade.
A handwritten note on this memo indicates that a council instruction on 22.4.85 issued for erection of ‘No Standing’ signs across driveway on northern side only of road. “It is considered that the provision of ‘No Standing’ signs opposite, ie. in the vicinity of the Telecom phone box and letter box is not warranted in view of the width of the access driveway to the station.”
16th December 1985
Letter from Brigade to Council notifiying them of 2 years leave of absence being granted to Senior Deputy Captain Barry Bell, who is moving to Queensland. Deputy Captain Tom Harris has been appointed to his position.
25th April 1986 Fire at Kings School on Eve of Anzac day – Glenhaven responded at 6.30pm with 8 crew.
1986/1987 Officers
President P. Edwards
Captain E. Woodcock
Senior Deputy Captain T. Harris
Deputy Captains N. Bent, P. Edwards, Don Morse, T. Muston
Equipment Officer T. Harris
Treasurer S. Novotny
May 1986 (Station records)
Rover is being fitted with Holden motor.
18th September 1986 (Station records)
Glenhaven attends tyre fire at South Windsor on the 18th, 19th and 20th September.
6th October 1986 (Station records)
5 pagers were received. Brigade funds to be made available to cover costs on receipt of an invoice.
15th January 1987
Letter from Council regarding their intention to provide yellow overalls before the end of 1987.
1987/1988 Officers
President T. Muston
Vice President D. Symons
Secretary S. Barry
Treasurer S. Novotny
Captain E. Woodcock
Senior Deputy Captain T. Harris
Deputy Captains T. Muston, R. Posner
Equipment Officer R. Posner
September 1987 (Station records)
Glenhaven attended Sutherland field day and won 2 major events coming 3rd overall.
9th October 1987
Letter from Stephen Flick to Progress Association indicating that he will erect a post and 3 rail fence on 1 Gilmour Close, a property adjacent to the Bush Fire Station, at no expense to the Association.
1988/1989 Officers
Captain T. Woodcock
Senior Deputy Captain T. Harris
Deputy Captains R. Posner, D. Morse, D. Symons, G. McMaster, T. Muston, P. Willsallen (Sept 88)
President P. Brown
Vice President D. Symons
Secretary S. Barry
Equipment Officer R. Posner
July 1988 (Station records)
Letter from Council regarding the Metropolitan Fire Board’s acquisition of parts of Glenhaven Brigade’s area.
August 1988 (Station records)
Glenhaven brigade received 7 certificates and won 4 trophies at the Wyong field day.
November 1988 (Station records)
P. Willsallen becomes a financial member of brigade with rank of Deputy Captain.
27th November 1988 (Station records)
Extraordinary meeting held to formalise By Laws of the brigade in accordance with the Constitution.
9th March 1989 (Station records)
Glenhaven performs Storm relief work in Baulkham Hills area on 9th and 10th March
1989/1990 Officers
Captain T. Woodcock (replaced by T. Harris in October after resignation)
Senior Deputy Captain T. Harris (replaced by T. Woodcock in October)
Deputy Captains ??????????
President P. Willsallen
Secretary S. Barry
Treasurer E. Watts
May / June 1989 (Station records)
Glenhaven Brigade provides display for Glenhaven Public School Centenary Celebrations.
5th June 1989 (Station records)
One call to Motor Vehicle Accident at 115 Glenhaven Road was the first run for the new tanker. Station records also note that we were awaiting the vehicle in April and purchasing equipment for it in May.
3rd August 1989
Letter from Progress Association to Council resolving to renew lease for a period of 5 years. This letter was followed up with another letter regarding the same matter on 20th February 1990, as Council had still not replied.
7th August 1989 (Station records)
Announced at Brigade meeting that the Brigade had been selected to represent the Sydney region along with Hornsby HQ at the State field day on 24th September 1989. This was as a result of the Brigade’s success at the Warringah Shire field day.
Figure 10 - First at the State Field Day
11th-13th December 1989
Glenhaven crew attends Hillston fires
27th December 1989
Glenhaven crew attends Sutherland fires