Town Talk

In 1888 someone, we don’t know who exactly, placed a small ad in The Age; they were looking for a fire bell. Presumably everyone in possession of such an item had a need for it because the ad failed to achieve its purpose.

However, a meeting was held in the Shire Hall (due to a clever trick by the people of Shepparton, we had sent the armed guard — positioned by the Echuca Council — running and had retained possession and use of the hall, after installing our own Shire Council) Anyway, approximately 22 gentlemen attended this meeting, at which it was decided that a fire brigade was desirable and appropriate steps should be taken.

Regular meetings were held and funds to buy equipment were raised by the community. They held fetes, concerts and street stalls. (Remember street stalls? When we used to trust local women not to poison us!) Our fellas joined the Country Fires’ Association Brigade and competed in their first ‘demo’ in Ballarat the next year.

They operated, for several years, from a small shed supplied by the council — until the first station was built in Maude St. The brigade used a reel and hose to fight fires until, some years later, a horse-drawn fire engine was purchased.

However, things were difficult. The brigade was encountering problems locating fire plugs.

Mr Howard’s Hay and Corn Store was located on the corner of High and Corio streets — and it caught fire. The St Augustine’s Church bell was used as an alarm but few heard it. In addition, the fire plug was 12 to 18 inches below ground and, on arrival, the brigade members had to remove a load of bricks from above the plug. Mr Howard’s store was completely gutted.

As a result of this, a fire bell was finally found and set up later in that year (1890).

The brigade did, however, successfully save many homes and businesses from complete destruction. It also raised money for local charities.

But in 1900, St Brendan’s Church was gutted by fire and, once again, the Shire Council faced strong criticism about the fire plugs. The brigade had submitted a list of defective plugs but no action had been taken.

An editorial, in this newspaper, concludes “... if they (the council) will but bestir themselves in this direction now, the little bungle of Monday morning will not have been without value and the town will be freed from the liability of witnessing a fire brigade stand idly by while a business block is razed to the ground”.

Remember the story of Darky — a cow that belonged to a hotel proprietor and was allowed to graze the streets at night? Two bored young men tied hay to the fire bell’s rope and persuaded Darky to enjoy herself. The cow’s enthusiasm caused the bell to ring and our brigade members to come running. After some hours of searching for a fire, the brigade members gave up. This was in 1910; three years before electric street lighting was installed in the town.

In 1915, a fire levy of 2/6 per 100 acres was placed on landholders.

At a Shire Council meeting in 1919, the council was asked to prohibit the sale of wax matches. This was later approved.

In 1922, the Shepparton Brigade purchased its first motorised reel and in 1957, the old bell was discarded and replaced by a siren.

Over these years, a ladies’ committee had been in action, raising funds — in the traditional ways — for equipment or items to add to the comfort of the station.

Recently, as you will know, things have changed. The brigade, including several full-time people, has relocated to a new station in Archer St. It is said that we can be sure of two things in this life — death and taxes. However, we can also be sure of change because change will surely come. The brigade today is very different — a multi-service organisation, having added advanced first aid and rescue to its fire-fighting abilities. There is authority, a greater role for the full-time staff and, without doubt, relationships inside the station will be different. Some 134 years after its formation, the brigade’s relationship with the community has also, of necessity, changed. Community spirit has served its purpose.

Help with this story

I have taken much of this information from a book entitled Shepparton Shire Reflections, written by former News journalist Sue Wallace in 1979. The book, celebrating 100 years of the Shepparton Shire, was delivered to my front door by one of the Town Talk team and I will return it to her — I will — one day. (There’s a lot of useful information in it!)

I have also referred to two stories from Ray West’s Those were the days and the photos, of course, come from Lost Shepparton. I particularly like the oldest of the pics, we think early 1900s. Apparently our brigade, while struggling to overcome local obstacles, had done very well in the ‘demos’.

In addition, I rang Shepparton’s most experienced journalist, Geoff Adams, who has worked at The News for 37 years (that I know of) — probably more.

Stream of consciousness

If I hadn’t learnt some discipline over the past couple of years, I would always write this way — allowing my thoughts to go where they will. I try not to do that, most times, because it must get confusing for you. What’s she talking about now?

This time, I’m going with it because I’m reminded of the first time I met Geoff Adams.

It was 1985 and I had just started work at the newspaper. I had yet to meet the editorial team.

One night, there was a really bad storm; flash flooding only, but very strong winds and torrential rain. My husband was away, for work, and my eldest son was keeping an eye on everything. A large gum had blown down across the street and a man was calling for help. First son told his younger brothers to stay put, because power lines were down. I remember clearly because it was a forceful instruction (and the first — but not the last — time I heard him swear!) He ran into the black street, and I could no longer see him — so I just screamed, uselessly, into the wind, “Come back here!”. Then his brothers joined him. I heard them shouting to one another, but they completely ignored me.

It seemed like forever before they all returned — very wet, very cold but unharmed. They had struggled to lift the heavy branch that had imprisoned the poor guy — but another man had come out of his house, and between them all, they had managed.

The next evening I had a phone call, and then a visit, from Geoff. He wanted to talk to the boys about the night before. They said it was no “big deal” and I said nothing at all. I knew I would never forget the cold horror I felt, as first son found his way safely through the flooded street and instructed his disobedient brothers to take the same course. Anyway, Geoff got his story.

Their father, when he returned the following day, had a great deal to say to his sons! I remember that too!

Vale Rod Champness

Last week, I had a sad email from Rod’s wife, Lynn. Rodney had passed away on Saturday, October 22. Rod was a valued reader of this page and I heard from him on several matters; most recently, he contacted me about Radio Australia and the work he had done on its history. However, I clearly remember his first email because I was very grateful for it. My writing had wandered into the risky area of politics, and I was concerned about what I had written. Rodney wanted to reassure me that, in his opinion, I had been fair, as well as honest.

Rod put up a brave fight against a devastating illness and he is now, without doubt, in a better place. On behalf of all of us, I send Lynn and their family our warm wishes — knowing, as we do, how very difficult this time is for them.

To our council

I note that a new, and apparently learned, committee has been formed to tell us what kind of affordable housing this city needs.

You all know that I am far from learned in this area but, honestly, I’m tired of reading about it; tired of talking about it and tired of reading about talking about it. It is starting to feel as if a committee is just another excuse. There are thousands of us in need of affordable accommodation. If I were in your position, I’d look after the families first — so many of them have been split up and come what may, our kids must matter.

There is a company in Melbourne that has built a ward for the Monash Hospital — in “a few weeks”. The units can be put together in the required way, such as family-sized apartments, and reconfigured if the need changes. The company has opened offices in London and New York. Why don’t you have a chat with them before they start housing New York’s homeless?

Whatever you do, some people will disapprove — a fact of life! You were elected to make these kinds of decisions — please, please, just do your job.

That’s all, guys. Have a good week if the weather permits. And may it be easy.

Marnie

Email: towntalk@sheppnews.com.au

Letter: Town Talk. Shepparton News. P.O. Box 204. Shepparton 3631.

Phone: Send a text on 0418 962 507. (Note: text only. I will call you back, if you wish)