SA Country Fire Service Promotions Unit - History Section
Promoting the Historical foundations of the Service

Bradbury Brigade - 1955 to Present

Information collated by Lois Allen for the 50th anniversary of Bradbury CFS.

The Longwood / Bradbury / Scott Creek EFS was formed at a meeting held in Longwood Hall on 7th Feb 1955.

The committee members were:

Mr Les Lewis President Mr Clive Williams Secretary Mr John Allen Treasurer Mr Harry Wright Mr Frank Lowe Mr Keith Norsworthy Mr Charlie Allen Mr Sandy Hill Mr Noel Rickaby

The meetinggs were held in Halls and then at Mr & Mrs John Allens home until 1958 when John Allen offered a parcel of land on corner of Longwood Rd and Hadrian Gully Rd, Bradbury. It was leased from him and then later purchased. 2 shillings membership was charged to raise money along with many fund raisers such as card nights, dances, bonfires, queen competitions, wine tastings, etc.

The first equipment consisted of knapsacks which were kept at designated 'Fire Control' houses. An old silicate tank was kept at John Allen's service station 'The Four Winds', ready to be loaded onto a truck.

It is noted that a raffle to be drawn at a Dance to raise money was 6 bottles of Ale and tickets would be sold by the local school children.

The first fire appliance was bought in 1957 and was ready for use by 1958. It was bought from C.O.R. oil company for 200 pounds. In 1964 a 1940 Chevrolet fire truck was bought from Aldgate EFS.

Then in 1967 a brand new Toyota Land Cruiser was bought for 2898 pounds and built up by members. In 1971 an ex ETSA Austin twin cab was purchased for $650 and again built up by members. In 1985 a 1976 Acco 410 was purchased by council and built up by Wotton Sales.

In 1993 we bought from Summertown CFS a 1980 Nissan 14 appliance for $11,500. In 1998 the Acco was replaced by council by a fully built up Hino. We now have a Mitsubishi 14 and Hino 24 appliance supplied by CFS and we house the Mt Lofty Group Tanker.

Over the years the brigade has built much of its own equipment including a trailer with lighting plant, backup pump for flood mitigation work and general draughting.

The brigade was known as Longwood-Bradbury-Scott Creek E.F.S and then C.F.S. until 1995 when at the request of the Regional office and Group Officer we changed name to Bradbury CFS.

The first station was built in 1958. Ray Allen was authorised to purchase a shed 30'x16'x8' for 176 pounds and it was erected by members at working bees. It was opened on March 26th 1966.

In 1964 it was decided to erect another shed onto the existing one and it was again done with working bees and was opened in 1966, and in 1972 it was decided to add a meeting room, kitchen and toilet block.

But then in 1985 an extra truck bay was required for the arrival of a new appliance that wouldn't fit in to the station. No worries said Ray Allen we will just lift the roof and extend the side (a piece of cake). Well they did it. Then in 1996 it was found the station did not meet the regulatory standards and after much negotiations a new site was found by the Longwood Hall. The Adelaide Hills Council purchased the land from Mr Max Bradbury and in October 1998 work started with much hard work and lots of working bees the station officially opened on May 21st 2000.

It was noted in the minute book in 1957 that there wasn't enough money to buy the first truck so 5 members lent the money.

In Feb 1957 the meeting was held in a bus as 2 members, Ray and John Allen, were working underneath it to get it ready for the morning run to town. The meeting was convened inside the bus with the proceding being shouted back and forth through the open engine bay.

Long serving members (over 20 years):

Ray Allen 48 years Robert Lewis 47 years (retired) Peter Lewis 43 years Ron Nelson 37 years Fred Rainey 30 years Malcolm Hale 29 years Brian Woodlands 28 years Martin Carney 25 years Graham Bacon 21 years Andrew Nixon 21 years

This information has been sourced from the Brigade website at this address

Brigade Stations

2000 to Present - 704 Longwood Road, Bradbury
Photographer, CFS Promotions Unit - Apr 2012

Captains

Life Members