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