The Rainbow Fire Brigade now has over 110 years of serving the local community. These are just some of the stories.
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Thank you very much, Don...
Rainbow Fire Brigade 1910.
Rainbow Of Today 1910
Members of the Fire Brigade which, though but recently formed, is already a distinct credit to the town and district.
Rainbow Fire Brigade Station 1911 Postcard.
Victorian Annual State Fire Brigade Demo, Ballarat 1953
Standing: Jimmy Klemm, Fred Friebel, Col McKenzie, Len Rogasch, Des Manning, John Pascoe
Front: 'Doc' Rogasch, 'Monty' Max Chaplin
22-June-1960: RAINBOW FIRE BRIGADE
Back: Don Newton. Evan Davies, Roger Bullen, Ivan Sleep, Denis Rogasch, Laurie Dunn
Centre: Col McKenzie, Michael Sluggett. David Ough, Trevor Schulz. Frank Owen, Des Manning
Front: Les Murphy. L. Rogasch, John Pasco, Fred Friebel
The missing Rainbow Fire Brigade concrete tablet!
One day, a few years ago now, when Cheryl's Aunty Lena Saul was still alive and living out her final years at the nursing home units just off Railway Street, south of Sanders Street, we paid her a visit.
She instantly dragged me across Railway Street to the side of the railway line, and said "Your name is in concrete here somewhere" We finally found the concrete, and the memories came rushing back. We did our Rainbow Fire Brigade training (Hose and Reel events) along there, and had a shed with a dirt floor that we decided to have a working bee, and concrete the shed in, as we had not only valuable equipment, but also the training reel stored in this shed.
There was a working bee list, scribbled in concrete, that contained the following names:
John Pascoe (Captain), Des Manning (Lieutenant), Colin McKenzie (my uncle and Secretary), Don McKenzie (Jnr, me Foreman), Frank Orris, Monty Chaplin, and Little Firpo. Some one will have to remind me who "Little Firpo" was.
Years later, I decided I better get a picture of the floor before this history disappears, but alas, it had vanished. Bugger. I was invited back to the 100 year anniversary celebrations of the brigade in June 2010, and mentioned the concrete floor and the list of names.
It is here at the hall was the reply. Where? Just outside, to the left of the main doors. I never got the story on who went to the trouble of saving this little piece of Rainbow Fire Brigade history, but I was thrilled to see it after what was possibly 50 years.
Don...
From memory, the running track shed was near the corner of Sanders and Railway Street.
The FB comments on the missing tablet.
Rainbow Fire Brigade Track Team. Approx 1965.
Courtesy of Gavin Brain.
Here is the original scanned image.
Back
Des Manning, Bobbie Greenwood, Kevin Brooks, Les Greenwood, Monk Wilson.
Front
Clyve Friebel, Ron Baird, Don McKenzie.
But he was right. It was fun. 🙂
The identities in the picture below:
Left to right. Kevin Brooks, Bobbie Greenwood, Don McKenzie (hydrant), Gavin Brain.
A hard day at the office for the boys 1985.
Merv Mark Sluggett
Pretty sure it would have to be no later than November 1985 because of some of the people in the picture and no disrespect to them or their families but I remember that time in local history well.. looking at the photo from the left to right is Ed Clugston..Brian Bastin behind Les Sleep. Joe Gould. Bob Bastin in overalls in front of Chris McMillan..Graham Unger in shorts. John Smith also in shorts..Errol McMillan. Des Manning. Ron Ismay. Kevin Clugston.Trevor Huff and the big bloke in shorts on the far end is Lionel Roll.. there is a couple more who's faces are hiding ..at least 4 of these local men are no longer with us and we miss every one of them.. growing up in a rural town it's part of the culture to be involved in the fire brigade or other emergency services..
Image: Julie Lawes
Rainbow Fire Brigade Centenary 12-June-2010. The McKenzies.
As a previous member, I was invited back to the 100 year anniversary of the R.F.B in 2010. Was special to catch up with everyone. Office bearers in my day were Captain John Pascoe, Lieutenant Des Manning, Secretary Colin McKenzie, Foreman Don McKenzie (me).
Some of the best memories of my life and will remain with me forever. Don...
Colin, Cath (Mellington), Don (Jnr) Cheryl (Brinkley), Bill (Brian, Poddy) Bradley, Doreen (Morison), Cindy.
I tried to organized a photo of all the Fire Brigade members in one shot, but I may have been talking to the wrong people. I made sure we at least lined up the McKenzies together.
In a FaceBook Private Group? Then you won't have a share button.
Please share this story with your family and friends so that they can read about the Rainbow Township, its history, and what it has to offer tourists.
Thank you very much, Don...