Exciting new chapter for Oxley Fire Brigade

 

There’s been an exciting development in District 23 with the formation of a new brigade.

 

Oxley Fire Brigade has been created through the successful merger of two longstanding and dedicated teams: Oxley brigade and Oxley Flats brigade.

Over the past year, members from both brigades have worked together towards this positive change. The new brigade will continue to proudly serve the same areas, with the same dedicated personnel, trucks and equipment.

The Oxley Fire Station will remain the main base, equipped with a modern crew cab 4WD tanker and a smaller 4WD ultralight tanker. CFA will also retain both stations, with the former Oxley Flats Fire Station now operating as the Oxley Satellite Station.

Leading the new brigade is Captain Brendan McDonald, who brings more than 25 years of CFA volunteer experience. Brendan is well known across both communities, having served as the former First Lieutenant of Oxley brigade and following in the footsteps of his father, Terry McDonald, the former captain of Oxley Flats.

The new leadership team also includes both previous brigade captains — Wayne Doig from Oxley and Terry McDonald from Oxley Flats — ensuring a strong and united future built on shared experience and commitment.

Both former brigades boast a proud history of service. The Oxley Fire Brigade was established in 1935 — an impressive 90 years ago — but its roots stretch back even further to 1902 when the Laceby East Fire Brigade was formed. Founding members included many local families still connected to the district today, such as the Doig, Docker, Vincent and Skehan families.

The Laceby East name was changed to Oxley in 1929 and, with the building of the current Oxley Fire Station in 1997, the brigade’s area expanded to include the Oxley township itself, now covering from the edge of Wangaratta to the old Docker Post Office.

The Oxley Flats Fire Brigade was formed in 1952 by local farmers Jock Doig, Bill Kneebone and Murray Evans, following the devastating 1943 Tarrawingee fire. The community built the first fire station in 1959 on land donated by the Evans family, whose members have been active in the brigade ever since.

Although the original station was destroyed by a storm in 1977, it was quickly rebuilt with the help of inmates from Beechworth Prison. The current Oxley Flats Fire Station, built in 2013 on the same historic site, will proudly continue as a CFA satellite station.

Recently, members of the Oxley Brigade gathered to celebrate the outstanding service and dedication of long-serving volunteers. The event was a wonderful opportunity to honour those who have contributed so much over the years.
Service award recipients:
60 years – John McIntyre
50 years – Terry McDonald, Greg Johnson
45 years – Wayne Doig, Evadne Evans
40 years – Graeme Abotomey
35 years – Bruce Ubergang, Ian Fisk, Brett Byrne, Garry Craig
30 years – Kevin Fisk, Stan Goldsworthy
25 years – Brendan McDonald, Joy Johnson

Congratulations to all award recipients and to everyone involved in this exciting new era for our local CFA. The new Oxley Fire Brigade stands as a testament to community spirit, teamwork and a proud tradition of service that continues to keep our district safe.

 

Submitted by	Craig Hearson