Two extracts from Community News issue #145, 2nd August, 1989
Fire Tender Presentation by Governor General
In its continuing programme of providing the very best of fire fighting equipment to the Volunteer Brigades of it’s fire prone Shire, Cessnock Council has provided the Bucketty and District Volunteer Brigade with a new ISUZU fire tender. This state-of-the-art unit has provided a much needed boost for the morale of the residents of our fast growing community.
At a delightful ceremony on the 17th July, 1989, held at the Council’s Fire Control Centre in Cessnock, the Mayor, Alderman Maree Callaghan, had arranged for His Excellency, Mr. William Hayden, Governor-General of Australia, to officially commission the new tender. This ceremony was watched by dignitaries of the area, Council staff and representatives of the Brigade and Bucketty community.
Two especially proud members of the audience were Bob Kitching, the Council’s Fire Control Officer, and Les Stewart, the Bucketty Brigade’s Captain, both of whom have worked hard to achieve this event.
Although the Brigade officers would have loved to bring the unit straight back to its new home, this was not to be, as special training on vehicle operation and pumping units is essential. We should see the unit at Bucketty in August.
Unlike the faithful old tender it replaces, the ISUZU has a crew-cab which provides protection from the prevailing weather and from fire which may get too close for comfort.
Storage compartments have been arranged for quick access to all gear and a relatively large water storage tank allows a long presence at the site of any fire. The design is well proven and now almost standard new issue in country areas, Many other Cessnock Shire Brigades are similarly equipped,
The units see service in government forests, national parks, natural bushland and throughout the farmlands and we are looking forward to seeing this very competent unit patrolling the rugged bushland of our district.
A. Marshall
