In July, Green Lake Fire Brigade, formerly the Horsham South Bush Fire Brigade, celebrated its 75th anniversary of firefighting in the district.
Horsham South Bush Fire Brigade was formed in 1940 in response to the disastrous 1938-39 Wimmera bush fires. Initial brigade equipment included six knapsacks and 50 fire beaters, then a 200-gallon galvanised iron tank.
In 1946 the brigade joined the Country Fire Authority and purchased its first motorised fire truck.
Horsham South Rural Bush Fire Brigade became the first brigade in the state to lose a member while fighting a fire and claimed insurance from CFA in the 1948-49 fire season.
In 1958 Laharum separated and became a separate fire brigade.
In 1963 the name was changed to Green Lake Rural Fire Brigade.
CFA vehicles: | Brigade-owned vehicles: |
1946 | K5 International | 1982 | First Tanker 2 |
1966 | Austin | 1996 | Second Tanker 2 |
1981 | 4WD International | 2005 | Tanker 2 decommissioned |
1987 | Hino | 2011 | Third Tanker 2 Isuzu 1.2.4D |
2008 | Hino 3.4D | | |
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Fire stations
The first fire shed was built in 1952 on the property of A Varley. The current fire shed was opened in 1987 on the property of Bob Blake near Green Lake.
Tanker 2 was initially housed at Tom Hill’s property at St Helens Plains. When the new main shed was built, the original shed was moved to Harold Fischer’s property at St Helens Plains to house Tanker 2. In 1996 this shed was moved to Tom Hill’s property.
Major Fires
1938 – Black Friday fires in the Black Forest and west Grampians area.
2002 – Dock Lake Reserve fire.
2009 – Black Saturday Remlaw fire.
2014 – Northern Grampians Complex fires.
CFA Service Awards
10 years | 15 Years | 20 Years |
Greg Eagle Josh Fischer Colin Hepburn Joshua Liston Nicholas Liston Glenn Margetts Bryan Matuschka Cameron Mibus Jarrod Mibus Alex Miller Nerida Oliver | Patrick Hernon Michelle Mibus Ben Peucker | Aaron Bone Craig Zaal |
25 Years | 30 Years | 35 Years |
Tom Liston | Alistair Brooksby Adrian Butler Keith Fischer Jeff Kelm Graeme Oliver | Colin Fischer Daryl Hill Murray Hill Peter Hill Chris Johns Glenn Mibus Graeme Miller John Robinson |
40 Years | 45 Years | 50 Years |
James Delahunty | Russell Peucker Ken Croser | Des Laverty Rob Kelm |
Certificates Awarded by the Green Lake Fire Brigade
Long Service Certificate | Recognition of Service Certificate |
Jack Brennan Barry Brooksby Bernie Gross Kevin Matuschka Howard Rodda Ron Semmler Fred Uebergang Marg Uebergang Barry Gross | Geoff Bottrall Ian Fischer – Posthumously Karen Fischer Ron Goudie Robert Kuhne Kevin Lane Robert McGennisken – Posthumously Andy Wood |
Author: Louise McGillivray