History

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" background="043785a3.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>WATCHEM FIREBRIGADE</B></FONT><B>    </B><B> |     </B><A HREF="welcome.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="WATCHEM FIREBRIGADE"><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> <B>History</B>   |   <A HREF="id18.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Photo Album"><U>Photo Album</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id19.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Events"><U>Events</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id20.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Related Links"><U>Related Links</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id21.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact Us"><U>Contact Us</U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <I>History</I></div> <div> <IMG SRC="0539d0c0.jpg" border=0 width="413" height="268" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><IMG SRC="0565aff0.jpg" border=0 width="346" height="255" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> The Following is a look at the Early History of theWatchem Urban Brigade taken from the 1967 Back to Watchem Booklet</div> <div>                                               Urban Fire Brigade</div> <div> The late Mr. Robert Curtis, who joined the original brigade in 1920, was the first captain and Mr. Rowland Hill was secretary.</div> <div> In 1943 the late Mr. Eric Wilkinson was elected captain and served until 1952. Later he was made a life member of the Country Fire Authority.</div> <div> In 1952 the late Mr. Jim Gilchrist became captain and remained in office until his death in 1961.</div> <div> The present captain is Mr. Charlie Mitchell, who has been a member since 1939. Mr. Norm. Blair is secretary and has served in this office for 14 years.</div> <div> The brigade's first trophy was for second place in the four-man hose and reel at the Swan Hill demonstration in 1947. At St. Arnaud in 1949 it won the six man hose and reel event, its first trophy win. Since then it has been successful in more than 60 events, and has won 9 aggregates, the first being at the 'North - Western District Brigades' Association demonstration at St. Arnaud. It has competed at Victorian annual demonstrations since 1950.</div> <div> The brigade started with a reel, equipped with a hydrant and 600 feet of hose. Later an engine with pump and hoses was allotted.</div> <div> The Urban and Rural Brigades work in close liaison and the fire station now houses two engines for fire fighting.</div> <div> It was the late Captain Jim Gilchrist's hard work and devotion that put down a training track for the firemen. Prior to this they trained on the gravel road in front of the fire station. The new track has since been equipped with an electric motor and a pressure pump.</div> <div> The old fire bell has been replaced by a siren which can be started automatically by 'phone from the post office.</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> Early Record</div> <div> The following information has been supplied by the Country Fire Authority.</div> <div> Brigade registered 1/1/1920.</div> <div> Original officers on that date: T. and R. Donohue, W. McErvale, R. G. Hill (secretary 27/10/'20 to 29/10/'41), J. H. Skewes, T. Robins (lieutenant 1/1/'23 to 25/9/'35), A. S. H. Barry, R. Hassett (foreman 1/1/'24 to 31/12/'24), W. H. Powell, S. Downs, L. W. Rowe.</div> <div> Additional members who joined in first year: L. Tierney, M. Howley (both on 25/5/'20), J. J. Hassett, C. B. Gilchrist (both on 17/8/'20).</div> <div> Present captain: Charles Mitchell (reg'd. 24/4/'40, elected captain 18/12/'61).</div> <bR> <div> This excerpt was  up to date in March 1967 </div> <div> Watchem Fire Brigade Today Exists as a Rural fire Brigade </div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>