Station Focus: 499 West Wyalong Fire Brigade 1907 – 2025

Volunteer Origins

Several discussions were held in the early 1900s to form a fire brigade in the West Wyalong district. By March 1907, a grant of £25 (approximately $4,600 today) was received from the state government to be used for the formation of a fire brigade. A few months later in June, meetings were held to enrol members with over 50 signing up, along with the election of a Captain, J. Stephenson. This brigade, however, quickly dissolved and by January 1908 there was renewed interest and in March the West Wyalong Volunteer Fire Brigade was officially reformed under the captaincy of J. Lees. Equipment was then secured by Superintendent Webb of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade and delivered later that same year. In 1909, the brigade acquired a plot of land on Court Street and a weatherboard shed was built to serve as a fire station. The following year West Wyalong was then brought under the provisions of the Fire Brigades Act on 1 June 1910.

West Wyalong Volunteer Fire Brigade in front of the original weatherboard fire station, 1921 [Museum of Fire Collection]

Financial Difficulties

Despite an enthusiastic beginning, the West Wyalong Volunteer Fire Brigade soon ran into strife. In May 1911, the entire brigade resigned as their request to have better working conditions and receive a retaining fee for their services could not be met. At this time, the Wyalong Fire District encompassed both the Bland Shire Council and the Wyalong Municipal Council, so both councils contributed financially to the West Wyalong Fire Brigade. Despite the Bland Shire Council’s efforts to increase their contributions to the Board of Fire Commissioners of NSW (BoFC) so they could pay the firefighters a retaining fee and improve their conditions, disagreements between the Bland Shire Council and the Wyalong Municipal Council meant that no resolution could be reached.

To continue having some fire protection in West Wyalong, the Captain at the time, Captain Kennedy, was kept on board as engine keeper to maintain the appliance and look after the station. Meanwhile, a new recruitment drive was advertised throughout the town to reform the brigade, which proved moderately successful. The brigade was able to maintain a strength of three to four firefighters for a few years, however, the financial issues remained, greatly affecting the morale of the remaining members. An inspection in July 1913 found the station and appliance in a state of neglect, and the brigade in need of restructuring. However, any action to improve their conditions would require greater contributions by the councils, which still could not be agreed upon. It was ultimately decided that the Wyalong Fire District would be removed from the provisions of the Fire Brigades Act at the close of the year.

Reconstitution of the West Wyalong Fire District

The Bland Shire Council then made attempts to bring West Wyalong back under the auspices of the BoFC in 1916. Successful in their campaign, West Wyalong was brought back under the Fire Brigades Act on 17 November 1916, and by 1 January 1917 the West Wyalong Fire Brigade reformed for a fourth time. With the brigade re-established, attention shifted to upgrading the existing fire station to improve the conditions for the firefighters. However, the BoFC decided it would be more suitable to construct a brand-new fire station that could appropriately cater to the needs of the West Wyalong Fire Brigade.

It would be a few years before these recommendations would come to fruition, but finally in 1923 the BoFC prepared plans for the new station which were submitted and approved by the Bland Shire Council in October. Tenders were invited in March 1924 with Lowther and Horrocks being awarded the job. Construction began on the new station in June 1924, and on 14 October the West Wyalong Fire Brigade moved into their brand-new fire station, with an official opening taking place on 14 November 1924.

West Wyalong Fire Station official opening, 14 November 1924 [Museum of Fire Collection]

Renovation and alterations

West Wyalong Fire Station has seen a number of major renovations throughout its century of service to the community. Renovations took place in 1932 to provide quarters for married members of the brigade, adding bedrooms, a living room, bathroom and laundry to the existing station amenities. Further alterations took place in 1940 to install a small kitchen and an additional room to the living quarters, with further accommodation being provided in 1957.

West Wyalong Fire Station, 22 January 1998 [Museum of Fire Collection]

West Wyalong Fire Brigade Today

West Wyalong Fire Brigade has continued to grow and develop alongside the community that it has served since the early 1900s. In 2008 as part of the NSW Fire Brigades’ commitment to supporting communities and their protection against hazards and emergency incidents, West Wyalong Fire Brigade became accredited as a primary rescue unit. Today, they remain a vital part of protecting and supporting their local community, providing valuable protection and fire safety education.

Captain’s List

Name	Appointment as Captain	End of Service as Captain
J. Stephenson	1907	1908
J. Lees	1908	1910
A. Kennedy	1910	1912
F. Grellman	1917	1929
A. Millen	1929	1940
T. Smith	1940	1942
T. Williams	1942	1945
T. Smith	1945	1948
E. Fraser	1948	1970
N. Wilder	1970	1981
C. Smith	1981	1988
S. Murray	1988	1998
P. Cain	1999	2011
C. Butcher	2011	2017
L. Greenwood	2017	2021
R. Miller	2021	2022
D. Pratt	2023	Present

Historic Fleet List

Year	Make/Model	Motor Engine Number	Type
1908	-	-	Manual Pump
1909	-	-	Manual Pump 5”
1917	-	-	Manual Pump 5”
1923	Garford 15	131	Pumper
1930	Garford 15	021	Pumper
1934	-	168	Hose Cart
1936	Dennis 250/400	226	Pumper
1948	Dennis Ace	257	Pumper
1963	Bedford J1	090	Pumper
1965	Bedford J1	184	Pumper
1969	Ford D200	368	Pumper
1979	Dennis D600 Mk 1	424	Pumper
1986	International 1710B	593	Pumper
2002	Isuzu FTR-800	451	Pumper
2003	International 1810C	257	Pumper
2024	Isuzu FTR-900	614	Pumper

 -Story by Museum of Fire Heritage Team