Location – Building 1, Ashby Operations Centre, 1204 Wanneroo Road, Ashby

Thornycroft Nubians were originally delivered in 1958 with further appliances produced between 1959 and the early 1960s. These were created by the Thornycroft Company at the Basingstoke Factory in England (U.K.). This was during a take over by the ACV group who then ceased production on all vehicles competing with their own and focused on the Nubian and two other models. This particular appliance was shipped from England to the Wormald Brothers (Aust) PTY Limited (453 Williamstown Rd Port Melbourne Victoria).

These trucks were based on the plans of the British War Department’s vehicles. The 1962 Thornycroft Nubian 6×6 was powered by a straight 8, 6.6 Litre Rolls Royce B81 petrol engine that could produce 225 horsepower. It had a 4 speed crash box with high and low range and was mainly composed of fibreglass and aluminium. The bull bar was fitted with ‘knife blades’ so that it could be driven through an airport chain-link fence to reach an aircraft that might have crashed outside the airport boundary. Unlike some others of the Nubian range, the Wanneroo Brigade’s Thornycroft was a water tanker style appliance with an 8,000 litre water tank capacity.

The main form of Nubian carried 3,600 litres of water and 200 litres of foam. They also had roof mounted monitors for rotor and fixed wing accident fire suppression (to fulfil their crash tender role). This particular Thornycroft Nubian of the brigade’s could only deliver water by use of various lay-flat hose lines or via the passenger side mounted hose reel (it did not have a monitor). She also had a large flood light that helped her to fulfil the role of an air-craft crash and fire suppression tender.

The Brigade and Thornycroft

The City of Wanneroo Fire Services acquired the appliance in the early 1970s from a Perth Airport after it was deemed that she could no longer serve effectively as an airport crash tender. Thornycroft was affectionately known as ‘Big Bertha’ in relation to her 8,000 litre water capacity. The Wanneroo Central Bush Fire Brigade used her as a water point appliance which made her a great resource due to the scarcity of water in regions outside of the rural-urban fringe. Apart from being a mobile hydrant, the durable truck was also able to be used as a direct firefighting means in terms of the hose reel. Thus she was a versatile appliance. Unlike contemporary bulk water tankers, she could be used to fight the fire itself, rather than only being able to supply water through lay-flat hoses.

In 1994, after eleven (11) years of service, Old Thornycroft was pensioned due to high maintenance costs and rarity of parts. She was officially decommissioned in 1997 as parts could no longer be acquired and cost of maintenance and repair was inefficient. Since then attempts to restore and maintain Thornycroft as a heritage appliance for the City of Wanneroo Fire Services have occurred. The Wanneroo Fire Services Compound still houses the partially restored, partially stripped down Thornycroft Nubian.

Restoration action – Stripping and Repairs

• On the 6th of April, 2005 she was inspected and parts stripped, tagged and
  stored in an attempt to begin restoration
• On the 13th 2 77ZR batteries were fitted and the lights were checked. All along
  with the siren were working. Parts stripping and tagging continued. Factors Checked on the 13th were:

R/H front park light (OK) L/H front park light (OK) R/H front clearance light (OK) L/H front clearance light (NOT working) L/H rear park light (OK) R/H rear park light (OK) Horn (OK) New Batteries Fitted

• The 20th of April saw further stripping. The crash bar and bottom guard plate were removed with the guard plate needing repair due to rust. Electrics work was also continued.
• April the 27th included a meeting on the needs of the project. A sea container to store parts and tools, the need for better lighting and the requirement for jack stands were the main things that came out of the meeting. Further work on the truck was done and the grill housing was proving an issue.
• The 29th of April 2005 saw the sea container collected and placed in the depot. compound with help from Bill Street – local tow truck driver.

                        Work on Thornycroft had been fairly static since due to lack of parts, time, money and equipment.

• On January the 8th, 2012, in an attempt to restart the restoration process and ready Thornycroft for the 50th Celebrations, the cab was placed back on the chassis of the truck.

• February the 5th, 2012, saw the cab bolted down and the grill, and bull bar, re-attached. Work is still continuing.

• The activation lead for the 6×6 wheel drive, steps, and battery box, and driver’s side inside-lock were reattached on the 26th of February and;
• The flood light, hose reel (with hose line), inside and outside passenger’s door lock/handle, the driver’s side outside lock/handle and the equipment box cover, and panel, were reattched to Thornycroft. This occurred on the 11th of March 2012.

The City of Wanneroo Fire Services are currently conducting a Community Education Program. This has and will consist of letter drops and door knocks. The door knocks will occur on Sunday the 20th of November – 10am to 12 noon. Both the City of Wanneroo Fire Services and Joondalup Career Fire and Rescue Service will be attending to supply home owners, in the appropriate areas, with expert advice on Preparing Your Homes for the Bushfire Season.

This is an initiative under Prepare. Act. Survive. If you are not in the area we are targeting but still want some advice please visit the DFES wesbsite or contact us directly.

2012

2011
Darren Mibus

2010
Nick Panagopoulos

2009
Glenn McLaren

2008
John Leahy and Nick Panagopoulos

2007
Dayle Halleen

2006
Tony DeKwant

2005
Angela Walker and David Wright

2004
Shane Sheely

2003
Peter Williams

2002
Darragh Wills and Jeff Smith AFSM

In 2012 Wanneroo Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade is celebrating 5o years of community service.
We’re excited to be able to celebrate this occasion and hope to serve the City of Wanneroo for many years to come!

The brigade has met many challenges and has changed a lot over the years. Now in a contemporary society consisting of modern technologies and climate change, more challenges await!

We’re sure our interesting past has perpared us for the future and provided us with strength and knowledge so that we may protect the community we love.  

Planning to make it a day to remember not only for Firefighters and their families but for the public also is underway.

Wanneroo VBFB’s Games Results

2012 Results:
2nd Place – Rural/Structural Event
3rd Place – Relay Pump Event
3rd Place – Overall Winner
Hammond Trophy

2011 Results:
Boot Tossing Award – Rowan Carville
Hammond Trophy

2010 Results:
2nd Place – Station Response Drill
3rd Place – Overall Winner
Hammond Trophy

2009 Results:
1st Place – Team Challenge Event
1st Place – Relay Pump Event
3rd Place – Hose and Hydrant Event
3rd Place – Rural Structure Event
3rd Place – Station Response Event
1st Place – Overall Winner
Safety Award
Hammond Trophy

2008 Results:
2nd Place – Holey Bucket Event
2nd Place – Team Challenge
2nd Place – Rural Sector Event
2nd Place – Overall Winner
Safety Award
Hammond Trophy

2007 Results:
1st Place – Drum Roll Obstacle Course
1st Place – Call Out Event
1st Place – Structural House Fire
1st Place – Overall Winner
Safety Award
Hammond Trophy

Please look around and contact us if you require more information.

The Wanneroo Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade consists of 3x Light Tankers, a 4.4 Heavy Duty Appliance and now a 12.2 BWT appliance manned also by Wanneroo Fire Support.

Wanneroo Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade – Here to help, serve and protect