The Dimboola Fire Brigade has begun fundraising to contribute towards the construction of the town’s new fire station.

The new building, to be located on the corner of High and Victoria Streets, will replace the current one on Lloyd Street, which has been the site of the Brigade’s home for more than a century.
”Over the years, the Brigade’s fleet of vehicles has grown, and the acquisition of new, larger fire appliances has seen the Brigade outgrow the current station.

“The new fire station will provide a modern, state of the art facility that will allow the Brigade to continue serving Dimboola and surrounding communities well into the future. It will provide the Dimboola fire brigade with much-needed room to move and the space to grow in line with the demands on the Brigade and its volunteers.

“while the CFA is funding the majority of the build through its Fire Service Reform Capability Funding program, the Brigade will need to contribute at least $30,000 to help customise the station and ensure it meets the community’s, needs well into the future.

“We’re incredibly grateful to the CFA for their ongoing support and efforts to get us to this point – we now need to reach out to the local community and ask for their support to help us get over the final hurdle.”

- Ash Wallace - Captain, Dimboola Urban Fire Brigade
Over the coming months, the Brigade will be running a fundraising program to help reach its target.

Members of the community wishing to donate this project can do so through the Dimboola branch of the Bendigo Bank, or by cheque or money order made out to Dimboola Urban Fire Brigade and posted to PO Box 105, Dimboola, Vic. 3414, along with your contact details.

Instructions for donating by electronic deposit can be found on the Dimboola Urban Fire Brigade Facebook page.

Contributions over $300 will be recognised on a board to be mounted inside the new station, and donations over $2 are also tax-deductible.

Local builder G A Menzel built the current fire station in January and February 1915 for just over £215 on the site of the town’s original station in Lloyd Street beside the Shire Hall.

It was reported at the time that the new Fire Brigade Hall was an imposing structure, consisting of the main hall measuring 55 feet long by 25 feet wide with a wooded floor made of solid Jarrah blocks.

To the rear of the building was a meeting room and two small storerooms, one of which was to be fitted out as a gymnasium. In addition, the brigade members built a bathroom behind the new building.

Gas was initially used to light the building before electric lighting was available.

The front was weatherboard with a steel and wood parapet, and the sides were covered by corrugated iron. Double doors and a single door faced Lloyd Street and double doors towards the rear of the hall on the side facing the Shire Hall.

In mid-February 1915, Mr T S Marshall, the Chief Officer of the Country Fire Brigades’ Board, visited Dimboola to inspect the building, and despite it still being under construction, was impressed enough to request a copy of the plans so this design could be considered for new fire stations in other towns.

Also, during this visit, he promised to provide a 40-foot high steel bell tower for the brigade that was subsequently erected in front of the building, creating a landmark dominating the west side of Lloyd Street.