Station Focus: Lockhart Fire Brigade (1926 - 2026)

*This information is an extract from the colour-book produced by the Museum of Fire's Heritage Team to celebrate the centenary of Lockhart Fire Brigade, at a ceremony held on Wednesday 7 October 2026. Should you wish to use any of the information and pictures provided we ask that you please reference the Museum correctly and contact the Museum for permission where applicable.

In May 1925, the Lockhart Progress Society sought advice from the Board of Fire Commissioners of NSW (BoFC) on fire protection. Discussions about equipment and costs continued over the next few months, leading to a visit from the Wagga Wagga Fire Brigade’s Officer in Charge on 12 February 1926. On the day of his visit a public meeting was held and attended by a large number of residents, who were united in their support for a brigade to be formed. The Officer in Charge concluded that a manual turbine engine, 2,000 feet of hose, a chemical extinguisher, and other gear were needed. A potential site was also earmarked for a fire station, should one be required, on the corner of Farrier and Matthews Streets.

After several months of negotiation between Lockhart Shire Council and the BoFC, the town was finally brought under the Fire Brigades Act 1909 on 15 October 1926. Members were enrolled in Lockhart Fire Brigade on 13 November 1926, and it would operate under the leadership of Captain R. Cough. They initially operated on a volunteer basis, until 1 January 1927 when the new financial year saw them formally established and transitioned to partially paid status. It was also during this month that the horse-drawn turbine engine arrived in Lockhart and was housed in a shed owned by Firefighter W. Fraser.

Lockhart Fire Brigade seated on their Garford fire engine outside the station, c. 1940s [Museum of Fire Collection]

Lockhart’s First Fire Station

Operating from temporary accommodation, the brigade soon needed a permanent station to accommodate their growing needs. This led to the resumption of the site on the corner of Matthew and Ferrier Streets in September 1927. Despite much interest from the local community, the BoFC’s commitment to the construction of various fire stations around NSW would see the project significantly delayed. There was some progress in January 1929 with approval granted by the BoFC for the submission of sketch plans, but despite these plans being submitted in September 1929, progress was once again be stalled while funds were secured for the project.

By 1932, the brigade had well and truly outgrown the temporary accommodations they had been given. The larger size of the brigade’s new Garford motorised appliance meant that there was little room in the shed for the brigade’s engine, and chains had to be wrapped around the rear wheels as the yard was prone to flooding. Headway was made in June 1932 when new sketch plans for the station were submitted, which were approved in August. Invitations for tenders were advertised in October 1932, with the BoFC hiring Mr. E. Griffin of Albury to carry out the construction. The concrete foundation was laid on 9 January 1933 and thus the work had officially begun. The new brick fire station comprised a single engine bay, storeroom, shower, a watchroom and bedroom at the rear. The construction was completed in early May and was officially opened on 26 May 1933.

Lockhart Fire Brigade outside their station, 2026 [Courtesy of Lockhart Fire Brigade]

Lockhart’s Second Fire Station

By 1977, Lockhart Fire Station was in dire need of repair. The many cracks and loose bricks appearing around door frames and windows made the station unsuitable for the continuing operations of the brigade. Initial plans for the new station were for the demolition of the existing building and to construct a new station to take its place. The Lockhart Shire Council, however, offered an alternative solution: a new fire station on a new site. That way, the brigade could continue in their existing station, while the new one was built. The Lockhart Shire Council offered a site on Ferrier Street, located a scant 50 metres from the existing station with good access to the rest of the town in the event of fire.

Preliminary sketch plans were submitted in June 1979, and like its predecessor, the proposed station was to be constructed of solid brick featuring a single engine bay, watchroom, recreation room, changeroom and the relevant storerooms and amenities. Invitations for tenders were advertised at the end of June, with local contractor R. D. & M. J. Wright & Co. employed to construct the new fire station. Captain Pigdon, who was the contractor for R. D. & M. J. Wright & Co, took possession of the site on 1 February. After significant delays due to wet weather and supply chain issues, the new station was officially completed on 17 February 1981, with the brigade moving in the very same day. The new Lockhart Fire Station was officially opened by the Hon. William Crabtree MP, State Minister for Police and Services at a ceremony held on 19 February 1981.

Today, the Lockhart Fire Brigade continues to serve their community by responding to incidents and offering valuable education and support. Their passion for the brigade is evident in five firefighters each serving over 20 years, with a total combined service of the entire brigade exceeding 200 years.

Fleet List 

Year	Make/Model	Motor Engine Number	Type
1926	NSWFB Conversion	070	Horse-drawn Pumper
1931	Garford Type 15	133	Pumper
1933	-	156	Hose Cart
1936	Garford Type 15	089	Pumper
1939	Garford Type 15	149	Pumper
1952	Garford Type 15	070	Pumper
1961	Bedford J1	082	Pumper
1976	Bedford J1	087	Pumper
1983	Dennis D600 Mk 1	374	Pumper
1985	International 1710B	603	Pumper
1994/5	International 1710A	543	Pumper
2004	Isuzu FTR-900	552	Pumper

Captain’s List

Name	Appointment as Captain	End of Service as Captain
A.  Clough	1926	1928
W. Fraser	1928	1950
W. Hodgson	1950	1968
S. Campbell	1968	1973
R. Pigdon	1973	2002
J. Anderson	2002	Present

~ Story by Museum of Fire Heritage Team