The history and formation of Bellbird Fire Brigade is inseparable from the area’s coal mining history. The establishment of mines in the area began in the early 1900s, and with that brought the establishment of a nearby village in 1908. The looming threat of fire and the destruction it wrought, was soon made apparent after the Bellbird Mine disaster of 1923. Explosions at the Bellbird Colliery, one of the busiest coalfields in the region, on 3 September 1923 caused a number o

In the early hours of 26 May 1976, one of Sydney’s most iconic buildings was lit up with flames that left it in ruins. Built in 1891, the Strand Arcade is Sydney's last remaining Victorian shopping arcade dating to the late 19th Century. The arcade had been a thriving hub within Sydney in the early 20th Century, providing shoppers and pedestrians with a quiet respite from the increasingly crowded and bustling streets. As one of the first places in the city with electrical ill

Chief Officer Bill Reay [Museum of Fire Collection] When Bill Reay reflected on his time as Chief Officer, he described the role as “honouring and humbling… rewarding and demanding… satisfying and frustrating – but above all, challenging”. It was a fitting summary for a man whose leadership of the NSW Fire Brigades was defined by integrity, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to service. Reay was the NSWFB’s 18th Chief Officer, and notably, the first Inspector ever promo