Table Top Rural Fire Brigade

Founded circa 1930's. Click arrow for more information. . . .

Many bushfires occurred in the Table Top area since Europeans first settled in the early 1800’s. The outbreak of fires increased enormously prior to 1905 due to the wholesale use of phosphorus for the poisoning of rabbits. It was discovered that tree stumps set alight during the winter months, the roots would smoulder underground and burst into a blaze due to the influence of approaching the hot dry weather. It wasn’t until after the major fires of 1905 and 1909 that volunteers saw the need to develop a bushfire brigade.

Thurgoona fire brigade (forerunner to the Table Top Brigade) was established in 1910 as the only way to cope with the recent outbreaks. Tanks fitted with pumps were more economical than water carts and were placed in paddocks and along the railway line from Thurgoona to Table Top. These were useful in combatting grass fires. These tanks could also be put on spring carts and transported anywhere.

Unfortunately records do not exist containing the date Table Top Fire Brigade became independent of Thurgoona but best estimates are around 1930. The first captain Bert Perryman, during the summer months, kept a horse harnessed all day in readiness to pull the water cart should the need arise. There was also a horse drawn water cart at the “Maryvale” property and most likely others. The only other equipment used to fight fires in the day was a leather “beater”. The first motor truck used to fight fires had a tank and hand pump and belonged to Jack Zweck. The first motor driven pump truck was owned by Roy Gibbons. This was a major innovation in firefighting as the pumps could be operated by just one man. The first permanent fire unit belonged to Mac Shultz. Mac purchased the truck from the Ballarat Fire Brigade.

The first fire shed was built around 1988 and the land purchased in 1996. Table Top Rural Fire Brigade has now a fleet of impressive work vehicles totally suited for the environments encountered. TTRFB has one Cat 1 Heavy Tanker (4000 litres), one Cat 2 Medium Tanker (3000 litres), one Cat 9 Landcruiser (800 litres), one support quick fill trailer and one community fire trailer based at Himalaya Estate.
Table Top Rural Fire Brigade has grown over the years to include over 250 donating patrons and over 50 volunteers. All these men and women come from the surrounding Table Top district, many of whom have lived in the area all their lives.

How Do I Join?
For information on how to join the Table Top Rural Fire Brigade, contact out Captain Andrew Sargent on 0409 310 482.

Acknowledgements:
‘Table Top, A History of the District 1824-1984’, compiled by Table Top History Committee