Where it all began

The Lilydale Urban Fire Brigade was first registered on 1st January 1905. There was an Unregistered Brigade in Lilydale from the 1880's.

The original members in 1905 were:

Brigade Leaders

The Brigade has only had 10 Captains since 1905.  They are as follows:

** E. Phillips served two terms as Captain.

Equipment in 1905

Equipment used in 1905 consisted of:

Bell Tower Erected

The Bell Tower was erected on the lawn near the Band Rotunda in the main street late in 1905.  The Bell was purchased at Sale and the cost of transport by the Railways from Sale (Victoria) to Lilydale was 9/1.  In March, 1909, a 25 ft. ladder was purchased at the cost of £1/15/-.  In March, 1910, the Brigade was issued with a Hand Reel equipped with ball bearings.

Equipment in 1916

Big Improvement in Equipment

Equipment improved greatly from the early 1930's.  A Hand reel was sold to Yarra Junction Fire Brigade in February, 1931, for £12 and the Lilydale Brigade received their first motorised vehicle on 27th March 1931.  This being a Motor Hose Carriage (without pump).  The Brigade contributing £50 towards the cost.

A water service was laid to the station in April, 1931.  Gas was also connected to the station.  1931 being in the depth of the depression, saw the Brigade taking part in processions and demonstrations to raise money for the unemployed.  Uniforms were also supplied to the Brigade in 1931, the material being supplied by the C.F.B.B. and were made up by a local tailor for £1/10/-. each.

The old Motor Hose Carriage was replaced by a Graham Pumper equiped with a Gardiner Pump during the mid 1930's.  This vehicle worked for several days at Warburton during the 1939 Bush Fires.  The Graham was replaced by a Side Mounted International Pumper in about 1948.  In 1953 the International was replaced with a new Austin 350 g.p.m Front Mounted Pumper which was later fitted with a first aid tank.

About 1960 a Dodge 500 g.p.m Side Mounted Pumper was stationed at Lilydale for about two years.  In 1968 the Austin was replaced with an International 450 g.p.m Front Mounted Pumper which in turn was replaced by a International 650 g.p.m Pumper.

In about October, 1962, the Brigade was equiped with a new Bedford 4x4 Tanker, since this first Tanker Lilydale has had another Bedford 4x4 Tanker and is now running with an Isuzu 3.4D 4x4 Tanker.  Over the years the Brigade has purchased additional vehicles to improve the service provided.

Interestingly, the Brigade saw a need for Breathing Apparatus very early and purchased the first three sets in September, 1960.

Junior Brigade

The first Junior Brigade was formed on Wednesday, 13/03/1946, and over the years has provided the Brigade with many trained Fire-Fighters.

First Reported Fire

The first reported fire attended by the brigade was a house fire, the property of Mr. G. Launder.  The fire occurred at 12:59am on Saturday 4th March 1905.  Considerable damage was sustained but the fire report states: "The alarm not being given in time, the fire had spread from kitchen to other rooms before Brigade arrived; on arrival of Brigade, the fire made no further progress".

The second recorded call attended by the brigade resulted in the death of Captain Joseph Smith, stacks of firewood at David Mitchell Estate Lime Quarries were well alight. 

Appliances in attendance were: 1 Hand Reel, 500 feet of Hose and Fire Engine Pump.