1945 - Station records suggest that the brigade started informally in this year as a resident’s brigade.
1948 - Bushfire Brigades ran from Seven Hills Road, Cropley House Area. The brigade was known as the “Baulkham Hills Volunteer Fire Brigade” - Secretary Mr. E.C. Levitt.
26th September 1949 - membership had declined to 12 compared with 27 in 1948. Kenthurst had their own brigade.
Annual Report of 49-50 - 31 financial members.
September 1951 - 36 members. The annual report notes some “disinclination by residents to the support of the bushfire brigade in addition to paying a compulsory fire rate”. At the meeting, discussions were held and questions put to council:
- The possibility of securing the establishment of a fire station by the Board of Fire Commissioners at Baulkham Hills
- Council’s attitude and policy towards maintenance of Bushfire Brigades within the boundaries of the Metropolitan Fire District.
10th November 1951 - Letter from the Honorary Secrectary Mr Levitt to Shire Council Clerk advising that a motion moved at the adjourned A.G.M of the brigade on 5th November 1951 to the effect that “This bushfire brigade be disbanded”. Council wrote to the Board of Fire Commissioners suggesting that they endeavour to stop action to give effect to the motion to disband. A similar action and meetings with North Rocks Brigade had occurred on Thursday 6th December 1951.
In a Group Captain’s report (December 1951):
“At the request of Mr Holland of Glenhaven Road, I attended a meeting in the schoolroom at Glenhaven to discuss the possibilities of forming a Glenhaven bush-fire brigade. 34 attended, after I had outlined the rudiments, it was moved to form a brigade and submit the names of officers and members to the Council for its approval. This meeting was held on Dec 11th. The list of officers and members is attached.
On Thursday, Dec 6th, a message was phoned from Deputy Commissioner Gilmore through to Mr Stoney (Health Inspector) who lives in Parramatta, he at once motored back to Bettington Rd and delivered the message – a fire had broken out near Windsor and South Windsor was in danger and ordered calling as many men as possible, and to proceed to Windsor - I went to the Council Chambers and by phone contacted Maraylya, Rouse Hill and Kellyville and asked them to collect as many men as possible and hasten to the fire at Windsor – With many other helpers by midnight the fire was under control.”
Figure 1 - Announcing the brigade's formation
Figure 2 - Attendees at the Inauguration Meeting
The attached list of members at the Inauguration of Glenhaven Bush Fire Brigade at meeting held at Glenhaven Public School on 11th December 1951.
President Mr. H.C. Holland
Secretary Mrs Eva.M. Bonnard
Captain S.A. Yarrow Snr.
Deputy Captains E. Ford, S.A. Yarrow Jnr.
Treasurer R. Hudson
W. Marshall
H. Smith
George Williams
M.A. Hyde
Claude Holland
Alfred Robinson
Mary A. Laurence
Annie Yarrow
Mary A. Yarrow
J. Arthur Swan
Harold K. Tofft
H. Frohlich
P.W. Cox
N. Gardos
Arthur L. Nix
R.C. Trimingham
L. McCrae
F.M. Maxwell
R.W. Kitchener Snr.
R.W. Kitchener Jnr.
C.H. Pike
W.J. Troy
E.B. Devaney
L. Hart
H.C. Hart
A. Robinson
C. Evans
E.S. Rutherford
J.G. Boyle