When the disastrous "Great Fire of Main Street" occurred at the top end of Main Street, Reefs, Pleasant Creek (as Stawell was then known) on February 20 1866, it resulted in the formation of the Pleasant Creek Volunteer Fire Brigade.
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The fire was one of the worst ever recorded in the colony and by the time it was extinguished about 14 flimsy canvas, bark or wooden businesses had been destroyed or badly damaged.
It destroyed a hotel, furniture shop, boot shop, chapel, bank, book store, boot factory, chemist shop and the Mechanics Institute.
On Friday June 8, 1866 the first meeting of the Pleasant Creek Volunteer Fire Brigade was held at the Western Turf Hotel, Upper Main Street, Reefs (Stawell).
The rules of the Brigade were formulated and memberships were received from 25 people. Headquarters for the Brigade were established in a shed near the site of the current fire station.
The first elected President was Mr. John Childe whilst the elected Secretary was Mr. James Henry Dane.
In 1873 the volunteer fire Brigade became incorporated into the Country Fire Brigades Board and became known as the Stawell Fire Brigade.
OTHER NEWS:
In January 1880, the members of the Stawell Fire Brigade commenced their efforts to obtain the necessary funds for the erection of a bell tower.
A bell had been purchased as a result of lady collectors partly raising money for the purchase. The local Council also granted £300.00 towards the project. The bell tower was completed by December 14th that year. It had a roof over the bell to keep the sound waves from going upwards and a leaden floor under it to keep them going downwards. In 1881 it was decided that a new engine house was needed. Fundraising efforts continued into 1882 for the building of the new engine house with locals contributing via concerts, fetes and sports meetings. In April 1883 the Fire Brigade requested that the Stawell Borough Council provide £150 of the total of £500 which was required for the erection of the building.
Tenders were called on May 19th 1883 for the erection of the new Fire Brigade Station, "which will be a very commodious and handsome structure. The ground floor will be an area for the housing of two fire engines and hose reels etc. The first floor will make a fine committee room for members which will also be able to be used for dancing".
The new fire station was eventually opened on September 27th 1883 and featured a torch light procession with the Brass Band followed by a Grand Ball. In 1983, it was decided that a new fire station was required to fulfil the needs of the Stawell Urban Fire Brigade and the current fire station was erected and opened January 1991 situated next door to the old fire station which still exists and is now privately owned. Our 2022 Historical Society Calendar is now available for only $5.00. It features pictures of the Stawell Fire Brigade over many years.
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