Museum at station tells of old firefighting days

In the foyer of the 1950s art deco Maryborough Fire and Rescue station on the corner of Lennox and Alice Streets sits a collection of firie memorabilia collected over almost 140 years.

The brick façade of the building was of heritage value so was incorporated into a world-acclaimed larger complex built in 2022 to house the regional Fire and Rescue headquarters as well as the city station.

Maryborough’s fire brigade was the first in Queensland, formed in 1882 after a disastrous 1876 blaze destroyed 12 shops. The first fire station was built in Adelaide Street in 1888.

Station foyer exhibits are curiosities for young and old, including a manual hose reel used in the 1930s and an old extendable ladder. Helmets through the ages are on display – including the 19^th Century brass helmets that looked grand but were hot and heavy.

An old city street panel with alarm lights in 22 city sections was used to show where fires were flaring. Another exhibit explains how the bell system worked before the arrival of telephones.

The office is open from 8.30am until 4.30pm. Ring the phone number if the door sticks and won’t open.

Depending on who is available and what is happening, you might be lucky enough to be shown the traditional chute used by firemen to help rapid response from the upstairs quarters.