The first meeting of the New Farm Volunteer Fire Brigade was held on 11th September 1889 at James Campbell and Sons’ sawmill near where Julius Street is.
Campbell offered land for the Brigade and a fire station was built for 50 pounds. It is thought that the fire brigade was placed where it was needed near the industrial activity of the sawmill and the lime kilns. Equipment originally consisted of two hand-drawn hose reels. Mr. William Sargeant, who had established a cordial and vinegar business, was appointed Vice President and his son, Walter Sargeant, who joined at the age of 14 years, later became superintendent. The fire station was situated at the north corner of Moray and Langshaw Streets, and was there for many years. A tall lookout tower equipped with a fire bell was erected and the bell rung to rouse the Brigade when there was a fire. The 1893 flood probably flooded the kilns and sawmill, for the Campbells vacated the property soon after.
Some time after 1903 William Sargeant allowed the Brigade to rebuild the Station on his property at 23 Heal Street. The shed said to be the headquarters of the Fire Brigade appears on the title deed of the property. In 1912 Howards Ltd built a four wheel vehicle, with two tandem bicycles carrying a box for equipment and towing the reel.
The Church of St Michael and All Angels in East Brunswick Street was completed on a Thursday afternoon in March 1890, and was to be consecrated on the following Sunday. However, on the Saturday morning a fire broke out, and it was burnt to the ground despite the best efforts of the Volunteer Fire Brigade. The Church was later built in Balfour Street and the building used as the Sunday School Hall still stands today. A new brick Church was built in Brunswick Street.
Many older residents can remember some noteworthy fires. Bryan Oxlade remembers Rosenfeld’s Mill in Moray Street burning down on 18th February 1931. The mill was not rebuilt, but demolished which enabled the Julius Street flats to be built.
The Fire Brigade members were never paid for their work fighting fires, as they were all volunteers, raising money by having boat trips, art unions and collections. In 1922 the men were paid for their work but the Brigade closed down in 1923.
There is a 1914 photo in the Queensland Museum with the four-wheeled tandem bicycle vehicles, with hose, and the men in the photo are as follows:
- William Anderson
- George Hacket
- William Wright
- Robert Glover
- Harry Hacket
- Walter Sargeant
- Walter Cumming
- John Lebrocq
- William Kennedy
- Len Canning
- Harry Davidson
- Mascot: Ern Sargeant
Five of these men saw 1914-1918 War Service, and the young mascot served in Malaya, and was a P.O.W. on the Burma Railway. The full personnel of the Brigade was 25. The Fire Bell was given to the Anglican Church, Brunswick Street. Some of the Brigade’s equipment was given to the Queensland Museum.
Further information is also available at the office of the Historical Society, next to the New Farm Library, open Thursdays from 2.00pm to 4 pm or by appointment.