It was December of 1860 when, early in the morning, a fire broke out in the premises of Messrs. Murphy & Co.; blacksmiths of the Crescent. The fire, started from flying sparks of the forge, quickly spread to the dry duck of which the roof was constructed and before too long the greater part of the roof had been destroyed.
Thanks to the timely assistance of neighbours and a good supply of water on hand the fire was prevented from turning into a trail of destruction.
According to the North-Western Chronicle of December 13 1860, they (North-Western
Chronicle) again took the opportunity of calling to the attention of the Council to the advisability of assisting in the formation of a fire brigade.
Some five months later a report, again appeared in the North-Western Chronicle in regard to the formation of a fire brigade. The report stated that the subject had not been followed up vigorously due to the rupture that had arisen between the inhabitants of the district. And the Council did not have any funds at that time to assist with such a project.
It was advised by the locals most favourable of the project to wait until better times dawned. Before too long, the Council gained ample funds to assist any undertaking that has the interest of the district in mind. "To no more praiseworthy movement than a fire brigade can the Council devote a portion of it's capital." North-Western Chronicle May 21 1861.
In this report, it was stated that in the previous ten days two fires had occurred, both of which presented to be potentially fatal.
The first public meeting for the formation of the fire brigade was held on Tuesday May 21 1861.
The Chairman of the Municipality, Mr. R.Bell opened the meeting and read the requisition, requesting him to call the meeting. Mr. Bell then stated to the meeting the benefits involved in having a fire brigade. Of course to help prevent the loss of life and property to fire, but also to reduce insurance premiums, as it had been made aware by some business owners, that some of the insurance office's in Melbourne had refused to insure them except under a heavy premium because there was no fire brigade in Back Creek.
Mr. Day moved, seconded by Mr. D. Bell "That the residents of Back Creek deem it necessary, to at once organize a fire brigade for this district." This motion was carried at once and immediately after, Mr. Ford moved "That a committee shall be at once appointed with power to add to their number, whose duty shall be to frame all rules and orders for the regulation of the fire brigade."
Mr. Solomon proposed that Mr. Bell be elected as the Captain, however the motion was withdrawn when Mr. Bell begged to be excused.
A motion was moved for the brigade to be called the 'Back Creek Fire Brigade', and that a subscription list be opened at once. About 150 people were present at this meeting and £15 was collected in subscriptions throughout the evening.

In a newspaper report on Friday June 7 1861, the North-Western Chronicle believed, "Much credit is due to the committee of the Back Creek Fire Brigade for the speed with which they have framed a series of rules for the government of the brigade."
At a meeting of the brigade's committee on the Tuesday before, it was announced that a letter had been received from the Ballarat Fire Brigade stating that at that time they had an engine to dispose of for £100, and that a large alarm bell, which was insufficient for the Ballarat brigade's needs would be sold to the Back Creek Fire Brigade at minimal cost. 
 

It was believed that initially the brigade could be setup for about £200, with the Victoria Fire Insurance Company contributing £20 towards the brigade, and it was expected that similar support would be received from the Melbourne and Colonial Companies.
It seemed the brigade's next major step to ensuring successful operation was the provision of sufficient water supplies.
On regular occasions the brigade would turnout for practise; assembling at the engine house to be marked off the roll. Each man proudly boasting his brilliant uniform of red shirt with trimmed black velvet, black cloth trousers with red stripe, a black belt and a military style cloth hat with a red band. On each occasion of a practise drill the Talbot Leader would report on the event. "After running out the engine, the hose pipes were fixed and the pumps manned, and several gallons of water pumped out of the cellar of the Hope and Anchor."
A significant bond between the Maryborough and Talbot brigades was formed during the first year of operation and as a result a number festive occasions were held involving both brigades. One of these occasions was the first anniversary of the Talbot brigade's formation, held in July 1862. A torchlight procession, then a banquet, followed by a ball made for an enjoyable evening for more than 100 people. Captain Day, at the end of the banquet rose to the large crowd and gave his thanks to all who attended this glorious occasion.
He continued with a speech about the brigades first year of existence. "Although the brigade which he commanded had not been called on during the past year, he felt satisfied, from a knowledge of its efficiency, that if required the members would admirably discharge their duty. Upon a few occasions false alarms had been given, and he had then noticed how readily the members turned out to their duty."
Regular practise drills continued, ensuring that if required the members would be sufficiently trained, with a reasonable attendance of men. As the rules of the brigade stated that "any member failing to attend at a fire, parade or practise, (except in cases of sickness
or other unavoidable causes) shall be fined 2s 6d for the first offence; five shillings for the second; and for the third offence shall be finally expelled." Unfortunately the fire brigade was to have an unstable future ahead of itself. With the attendance of members slowly dropping off, due to what many people believed to be poor organisation on the part of Captain Day and his Officers.
Many letters to the editor of the Talbot Leader from concerned citizens and brigade members pointed out the issues to the public, and were very straight forward.
A letter on October 24, 1862, titled "Re-organise the fire brigade" said that "in order to make the brigade a useful one, new officers must be appointed."

Other letters stated, "Of the 20 members now on the roll, it is believed that more than eight of them have never been to practise."
A short time after this letter appeared Captain Henry Day handed his position over to Isaiah Andrews, who on the 13th November 1862 also wrote a short piece for the newspaper.
"The brigade is fully aware that many defects exist in working the engine to satisfaction, from the very fact that both engine and men have been for a long time suspended from practise. To remedy these defects, the brigade, after being re-organised, commenced their first practise on Friday last."

On December 5 1862, at about a quarter past ten in the morning, the alarm of fire was raised, for flames had been seen issuing from the premise of Mr Clark, a tobacconist and librarian. Before the brigade could arrive with their engine, the fire had spread into the Theatre Royal, the tent store of Mr Evans, Mr Samuels the gold assayers store. The fire continued to spread, next into The Golden Cross Hotel, in fact no less than 12 large buildings were in flames before the fire brigade were present at this disastrous scene.
 

And as reported in the Talbot Leader "The intensity of the heat, the cries for assistance emanating from the people whose property was on fire, the large volume of flames, crowned by smoke, shooting upwards, and the expectation on every person's lip that the whole Crescent would be destroyed, together made a scene that can better be imagined than described."
After about an hour 16 shops had been destroyed on both sides of the Crescent, including the largest building in the district, the Theatre Royal, erected at a cost of £2000.

Unfortunately for the members of the fire brigade, the weeks following this joyous occasion were not so enjoyable. Evening after the brigade’s change of officer bearers the townsfolk would not support the interests of the brigade.
On Tuesday September 8, 1863 the brigade’s anger with the community’s lack of support became too much for the members and officers to bear, for they believe as the men of a such an important team, they deserve the utmost respect of the townsfolk. A meeting was called and it was decided by the members of the brigade that they shall all resign and disband the fire brigade. A report in the Talbot Leader the same day titled “A Mania - Resignation”, it was stated that the Talbot Amateur Dramatic Club would also close their doors. The Talbot Leader expressed their concerns over the issue of the fire brigade disbanding, “The town or district cannot in point of fact afford to lose the services of a body of men, who in the first instance may prove valuable in the time of fire.” According to the Leader the brigade had reason to complain to a certain extent, as it had become quite clear at the publics lack of interest and respect towards the fire brigade. “As a body, composed exclusively of volunteers - of men who have everything to lose and little to gain by attaching themselves to such an institution - the fire brigade is entitled to the warmest sympathy and cooperation of the public.”
Concerns were also expressed in regard to the quickly approaching summer when the fire brigade could be a vital force for Talbot. It was hoped, that seeing as the year before the council had purchased the engine and apparatus from the brigade, they would have a strong interest in its reformation.
The fire brigade was virtually unheard of for the following month few months until late January 1864 when reports mentioning the fire brigade again started to appear in the Talbot Leader. The first of these was notification of a general meeting to be held by the Borough Council with the aim of forming a fire brigade.
The report points out that “when the former fire brigade was in existence, the want of funds proved a great draw back to its success, and members thought that they did not receive proper support from townspeople.” The report stated that the Borough Council had passed a resolution to the effect that all necessary expenses incurred in the forming and maintaining of the fire brigade will be paid from the Borough Funds. It appeared from the interest of the council and influential ratepayers the success of the fire brigade seemed certain, as the council was already in possession of ‘The Lady Don’ and various other pieces of suitable apparatus.
By early March, 1864, a willing team of men had volunteered their services to the brigade; Isaiah Andrews continued in his position as Captain from the former brigade and the men swung into practise immediately, as this time the council was determined for a ‘good’ fire brigade to be operational throughout Talbot and district.
A new uniform was purchased for each of the men, and the brigade adopted new rules. It appeared the next hurdle for the brigade to conquer would be a suitable and permanent engine house from which to conduct their operations.

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