HISTORY OF THE MACEDON FIRE BRIGADE

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1963 The Macedon Rural Fire Brigade was formed in 1963 when Councillor Duncan Beatson, Mr Jack Hill and Mr Heath convened a public meeting on the 13th June. Prior to this, the Macedon Township was under the protection of the Mt Macedon Brigade and the only other form of protection was a horse drawn water cart housed behind Jubilee Hall. Seventy people attended the meeting. It was moved that a brigade be formed in Macedon and the motion was carried. On the 19th September 1963 a further meeting was held to discuss funding for the station, a 5/- (five shilling) membership fee was implemented.

1964 With the increase in equipment, the brigade instigated the building of the fire station. A building subcommittee was formed. It was concluded that the dimensions of the station would be 16ft x 25ft x 9ft, with a 10ft opening door and situated on a 50ft x 50ft section of railway land. CFA was unable to assist with the costs of the station. This did not discourage the members and they persevered to raise funds themselves. They greatly appreciated the donations and support from the community, which contributed some £503.

1965 Saw the station now underway with the plans having been prepared and forwarded to CFA for approval.

1966 It became apparent that the brigade could no longer serve the community adequately without the use of a fully equipped tanker. As CFA was still unable to assist in this area, it was decided to purchase a KB5 International Truck and a 400 gallon water tank. A phone operated siren system with an interceptor at the Post Office was approved.

1967 Proved to be another big year for the newly formed Macedon Fire Brigade, many working bees were conducted to complete the station and building of the tanker to an operational level, ready to turnout. On 27th July 1967 the station was officially opened. The one bay station located on the corner of Victoria and Smith Street was constructed totally by volunteer labour and financed by the generosity of the Macedon Community.

1968 Saw the introduction of the Flea Market. This event has been held every year since with the exception of 1983 & 1984.

1969 With increasing turnouts, membership numbers and equipment, a building sub-committee was formed to discuss an extension to the station to double the existing floor space. In the event of a fire in the town, both the bell and siren were sounded, but only the siren for bush fires. The other form of notifying members for a turnout was a phone tree call system, particularly for members outside the auditable range of the siren.

1979 October 1975 saw the arrival of a new tanker, an International D1410, with a 400 gallon tank.

1980 Saw the brigade step forward with a difference. Due to the increasing fire danger in the area and the lack of available members during the day, Gail Gerraty, Rhonda Starford, Val Lorensini and Val Kettlewell approached the captain on going research and to be continued....