The glenorchy council formed the Brigade in 1947 and was manned by the council workforce. After the formation of the Rural Fires Board in 1951, it then came under their control, it was still manned by the council workforce until 1975 when it became a volunteer brigade. As a volunteer brigade it was known as the Glenorchy Central Fire Brigade, the name changed in 1975 to Glenorchy Volunteer Fire Brigade and in 2000, it had a futher name change to Wellington Fire Brigade. This change was due to the building of a new career station in Goodwood, the loss of identity by this name change was not popular with the members, who one day hope to regain the Glenorchy name.
The first volunteer station was located in chapel St. opposite Pitcairn St. In an old timber racking shed, complete with dirt floor, blackberries growing through the roof and only wide enough for the truck to be parked hard against one wall to enable you to struggle past it. In 1980 a new station was opened in Brent St. [now Viesta Dr.]. This was a 3 bay two door tin shed with a toilet bowl inside with no screen around it. The members built a small meeting room, kitchen and of course made the bowl a bit more private. A major upgrade took place in 1986 with an additional 12m x
9m extension being built, housing 2 toilets, a kitchen, 2 operation rooms and a 12m x 6m meeting room [the old meeting room was demolished]. All the work was carried out by brigade members from foundations to the painting. The new station was finally opened by Alderman and State Fire Commissioner Jim Percy OAM. On the 6th of March 1987.
The first appliance was a D1410 4x4 International tanker.   Later a 4x4 R Model Bedford was added, both these vehicles served the brigade well for many years.   The International was replaced with a 4x4 Toyota and the Bedford with a 4x4 Hino in 1989, we also had the privilege of evaluating the Oka, but due to the terrain in the area the driveline was not strong enough. The Toyota has been upgraded with another one.   The Hino was completely fabricated by the C.F.A. at Ballarat Vic. And brought to Tasmania as the prototype of the 3.1 units now in service.

References

Lindsay Suhr AFSM. - Much thanks must go to Lindsay for his contribution towards the information provided here
McNeice, Roger V.   - Knapsack heroes: Tasmania's country fire brigades in action. (MVA Publishing, 1991)

We would greatly appreciate any information or images to help piece together more of our past.