Arcadia Fire Brigade celebrates 90 years of service

 

Arcadia Fire Brigade recently celebrated its 90th year of service to the community at the community centre/fire station complex in Arcadia.

 

Brigade Captain Ray McManus welcomed 80 guests, including past residents and former brigade members, who joined with current members, their families and community supporters to share memories and celebrate the occasion. 

Arcadia is a rural community about halfway between Shepparton and Murchison.

Brigade member of 10 years, John Gribben, presented a history of the brigade since its inception in 1935, when it was known as Arcadia Rural Fire Brigade. John expanded his narrative to tell some of the stories of the disastrous Longwood bushfire of 1965.

Fortunately, this fire which started just south of the Arcadia area did not impact immediate farmland. The brigade’s major vehicle at this time was a farmer's truck with a 1,500-litre tank and power pump on the back. Other equipment consisted of knapsacks and fire beaters. 

The brigade was presented with its first tanker, an Austin Small Town unit, in 1977. This truck was upgraded with a later model Austin in 1983. In 1985, CFA replaced the Austin with a new Hino 3.2 tanker that served the brigade until 1998 when it was replaced with the latest model 2.5 Hino tanker. This is still the main firefighting unit for Arcadia Fire Brigade.

Commander Rohan Taylor from CFA District 22, congratulated the brigade and its members for service to the local and wider community over this lengthy period.

Rohan then presented long service awards which included eight medals of Life Membership to CFA.

“I felt privileged to be a part of this celebration and present brigade members with service awards including CFA Life Membership medals. These awards totalled more than 470 years of combined service, including John Kennedy’s 70-year CFA Life Membership.

“The day was well organised, and it was fantastic to see not only past and present brigade members there, but also so many community members joining in the celebrations.” 

 

Submitted by	Julie Wright