Brigade marks three quarters of a century

IN January of 1947, a fire started at the Tourello Railway Station and moved south, burning the landscape through Ascot, all the way to the edge of Miners Rest.

The next month, community members banded together to prevent a similar emergency from happening again, forming the Ascot and District Rural Fire Brigade.

Members applied to the Country Fire Authority for their first proper tanker in 1948, but didn’t receive one until 1961.

For the first 14 years of Ascot RFB, volunteers had attended fires with a little truck that had a water tank on the back.

The Ascot station on the corner of Ballarat-Maryborough and Ascot Hall roads was built four years later, before a new facility was established in 2010, next door to the Ascot Hall.

Twelve years later, the one-tanker Brigade is marking their 75th anniversary. Attending about 20 fires a year, they have over 40 volunteers, many of which are young, active residents from local farming families.

Firefighter, member of 44 years, and former captain Ian Terrill said it’s always been a small, tight-knit community group.

“The people that live in the area are the Brigade members, they know each other day-to-day, and it’s like a family, really,” he said.

“We all get on very well, and it’s very encouraging having lots of young people involved.”

At a recent anniversary celebration, Mr Terrill unveiled a new donated honour board for distinguished service awardees, and many volunteers within the Brigade received individual honours.

Brigade life memberships were presented to Kieran Moore, Colin Loader, and Howard Sobey, while nearly 30 members were recognised for their service, from five to 65 years.

Mr Terrill also became the second person in the group’s history to receive a National Service Medal for his commitment to volunteer firefighting.

He’s served in various roles including captain, secretary, lieutenant, CFA junior leader, Ballarat group communications officer, and third deputy group officer.

“I feel very privileged. It was quite an honour to receive the medal in front of my family and people who have been mentors for me over the years as well,” Mr Terrill said.

“What keeps volunteers volunteering? Gratitude. When helping people over the years, you always got a sense of gratitude from them.

“We will go to fires wherever we’re needed. The feeling of being able to assist people keeps you going.”