Meander Fire Brigade milestones
Photo by Hayley Manning
From left, current Chief Grant Flowers, original member Neil Johnston, current member Anthony Berne and original member Noel Ritter.
By Hayley Manning
THE BUSHFIRE season has arrived but never fear, the Meander Fire Brigade are here!
More energised than ever, they can reflect on history-making dual milestones and a particularly successful bushfire campaign earlier this year.
Chief Grant Flowers (2011–), and the dedicated crew of 35 seniors, juniors and cadets, are commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Meander Fire Station and holding their 25th Christmas barbecue.
Not a bad feat considering the official Meander Fire Brigade was only formed in 1972, when their first Chief Reg Dixon and around 10 of the original members would head off to the Caveside Fire Station ‘dressed as they were’ to borrow the shared Willy Jeep .
Things improved in 1973, when the Tasmanian Fire Service supplied the brigade with a new ‘73 Land Cruiser – that was housed locally at second chief Neil Johnston’s place – and a small tin shed fitted with an ‘air raid’ siren on the roof to summon the volunteers.
Today, all senior fire fighters across Tasmania carry a pager for a prompt multi-brigade response to all incidents.
When Wayne Johnston became chief in the early 1990s, the Tasmanian Fire Service, impressed by new recruits and the brigade’s responsible approach to training, provided funding to build the first brick fire station for volunteer fire fighters in Tasmania. It was officially opened in 1999.
During their terms as brigade chief, Wayne Johnston, Jason Chilcott and Grant Flowers cultivated an unorthodox approach to training which Prospect 50 year reunion ‘We had the best reunion you could ever imagine. We all got together, and it felt rather strange. Whether it was because it had been 50 years since we were all together, or that our group had a special bond because we were around for the founding of the school, I am not sure. It was a very special day.’ When the group met at the school, they were given a tour of the current facilities. Many of the original students were surprised to see how much the school had changed over fifty years and described the school as unrecognisable. Jennifer’s conclusion – ‘The most interesting thing was the 3D printer. It made us all realise how far technology has come since the days of the Fordigraph printer.’ A Fordigraph, also known as a Roneo printer, was a forerunner of the photocopier. Those who attended school during the 1960s and 1970s would remember the distinctive smell of the alcohol-based ink on the printed or ‘roneoed’ pages that were handed out to students. involved providing the crew with practical skills by fighting genuine fire incidents that happened on their own properties. Fifth chief Ricky Lehman managed to avoid any fire events at home.
The ‘extra’ training paid off for the Meander brigade when they attended a bushfire at Reynolds Neck in the Central Plateau in February this year. Tamar District Officer, Brett Fazackerley, said the emergency alert had been activated for the community and initial attempts to stop the spread of the rapidly moving fire by air had failed. The Meander volunteer brigade arrived at a critical time and proceeded to an area that was to be the first to be impacted and began saving structures.
‘Their bravery and commitment in the face of not only the fire front but the ember storm it created is to be commended … This action undoubtedly helped save a number of homes and possibly lives, as well, as at this stage, some residents had refused to leave,’ Mr Fazackerley said. ‘It was a joint effort from Meander and other brigades who all worked together. It was a most special save,’ Grant Flowers said.
The community can join their local fire fighting volunteers at the 25th community Christmas BBQ to be held at the Meander Fire Station, Main Road, Meander from 12pm on 15 December. Santa will be there with lollies and balloons for the kids.
