On Friday 19 May Bright Fire Brigade achieved the milestone of 125 years serving its community.
A reticulated water supply was established in 1892, then the residents of Bright banded together to form a fire brigade that would help protect the town.
As of 19 May 1892, 29 people were registered as members of the Bright Urban Fire Brigade with the Country Fire Brigades Board and were known as Brigade No. 66.
The original Bright Fire Station was a 24’ x 12’ timber shed built on railway land on the corner of Cobden Street and Bakers Gully Road which was replaced in Wills Street in 1968.
Since 1998, the brigade calls Churchill Avenue home, when the replacement fire station was built.
The brigade is celebrating the milestone occasion with an Open Day on Sunday 21 May with a day full of festivities from 10am to 3pm down at the Fire Station for the locals to enjoy.
Graham Cocks has been a member of the CFA for over 34 years and was involved in organising the brigade's 100-year anniversary.
“I feel like we just celebrated 100 years, and now we are celebrating 125 years,” Graham said.
“We invite everyone to come down to the fire station to help us celebrate.
“Fire appliances used by the brigade over the decades will be on display including a Hand Operated Service Reel from 1892 (for 61 years), a Gardiner Rear Mounted Pumper from 1953 and Austin Front Mounted Pumper from 1965.
“Captain Koala will also be here handing out Fire Information Show Bags for both the children & adults.
The brigade still have all the minute books that contain reports of some of the early fires the volunteers attended.
The first fire recorded was a house fire in Wills Street on 19 December 1892 attended by 16 firefighters with the Service Hose Reel being the main appliance, as it was for the next 61 years.
“Our members range from 1 to 63 years of service, which totals 720 years of service to the CFA with 595 years being with the Bright Fire Brigade, and we welcome new members to come join us.”
Later in the year the brigade will hold an awards night to further celebrate their members and the historic achievement of 125 years of service.