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The Maryborough Sun, Thursday 19th November 2020
Maryborough Fire Brigade
Maryborough Fire Brigade staff circa 1900. Merryweather steamer on the left and Merryweather manual pumper on right. Photo supplied.
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ON HIS father’s retirement as Deputy Chief in 1969, a young lad who had been born and bred at the Maryborough Fire Station moved out with his family, but has never forgotten the links he shares with one of Australia’s pioneering Brigades. Trevor McTernan’s father Allen was a firefighter for over 45 years and witnessed incredible changes in both equipment and techniques in fighting fires, from horse drawn appliances to the state of the art equipment of the time. When the McTernans left, Mr Brian Walters was appointed as Deputy Chief and subsequently his family has also maintained a connection with the Brigade. Trevor remembers his life at the station with joy. “I remember as a child that when the engine turned out to a fire I could be often seen in ‘hot pursuit’ on my bicycle following the fire engine down the street.” he said.
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While he adds that the business of firefighting and fire prevention is very serious, there are also many light-hearted sides. “I remember the firemen doing some hose drills one Sunday afternoon and my
pouring buckets of water on them from the upstairs balcony. I was rewarded by being sprayed by the fire hose...my father was not home at the time.” Trevor originally wrote the history of the Maryborough Fire Brigade in 1976 as part of a project he was working on for Scouting. “I then re-wrote the history in 1984 to mark the Centenary of the Maryborough Fire Brigade Board.” he said. Timed along with news of the station’s refurbishment and expansion, he is now seeking stories and photos to be included in an updated and far more thorough documentation of the local service’s histry. “This third writing will be more comprehensive and provide detailed information for the researcher as well as personal stories for local families. “I intend to cover the period from the 1863 to1883 and outline the many attempts and events that led to the initial formation. “The second part will cover the period until 25 June 1990 when the Fire Brigade Board was abolished, and the Brigade was absorbed into the newly created Queensland Fire Services. It is Trevor’s intention
that this work will fill the gaps for this period in the brigade history and to form the foundation for anyone else who wishes to write the history from that point. Trevor said “Prior to 1990 each regional Fire Brigade in Queensland (except Childers which was managed by its members) was under the administration of its local Board. This Board comprised representation from State and Local Government, Insurance Companies and the Chief Officer. The Williams family were stalwarts of this Board and three generations served as Secretary. “The Maryborough Brigade has enjoyed a well-deserved reputation for its efficiency and progressiveness throughout its history. “This reputation is a result of an outstanding Board which ensured the effective management and financial control of the Brigade, a long list of chief officers who were both highly professional and forward looking to ensure the equipment and training was first rate and to the officers and men who went to work every day ready to put “ wet stuff on the red stuff” and serve the citizens of Maryborough. I am very proud of my connection with the Brigade and it is a privilege to write its
