Panton Hill CFA

Panton Hill CFA Panton Hill Volunteer Fire Brigade, in continuous operation since 1939, protecting our community. Many did not return. Fourteen homes were lost in Panton Hill.

History of the Panton Hill Brigade

Early Years

The first attempt to form a rural bush fire brigade in Panton Hill was in 1914. The war intervened and called away the young men who would have been the fire-fighters. During the nineteen-twenties Ford and Chevrolet motor trucks arrived in the area, used by local farmers and orchardists to take their produce to the Melbourne market. These became i

nstrumental in fighting fires. If the school bell rang at any unusual time the growers and farmers would leave their work, whether their trucks were full, half loaded or empty, and would head straight for the fire, picking up all available men on the way. As water was not available most of the time, the fires were fought with ancient weapons: wet sacks, axes, rakes and green boughs. This spontaneous but effective response continued until January 1939 when the community decided a more organised approach was needed and the Panton Hill Volunteer Fire Brigade was founded. For eighty years since the Brigade has protected the Panton Hill area and fought fires with other brigades across the state. Much of the history of the brigade, including personal recollections and many photographs, is captured in “Hear The Siren”, published in 1990. Some copies of this fascinating book are still available for those who are interested in a fuller account than can be rendered here. Two events of major significance, however, we can describe: the fires of 1962 and 1983.

1962 Fires

Between January 14th and 16th 1962 the most devastating fire in memory ravaged Panton Hill and surrounding areas. Beginning in Christmas Hills on the Sunday it first travelled north until the Tuesday when a northerly wind blew it south through St Andrews, Smiths Gully, Panton Hill, Kangaroo Ground and Warrandyte, then on to Wonga Park and Mitcham, stopping only when the weather cooled and rain fell. There would have been more but for the tireless efforts of the brigade right through the days of the fire, defending houses with equipment that seems far from adequate by modern standards. A dramatic photo of the burning Matthews property on the Kangaroo Ground road appeared in newspapers around the world. Ash Wednesday 1983

Ash Wednesday, February 16th 1983, saw fires of terrible speed and ferocity in several parts of Victoria that claimed some sixty-nine lives. The Cockatoo fire is the one most well remembered in Panton Hill. Tragically, five of the Brigade were trapped in a narrow forest track in Upper Beaconsfield when the wind turned, and died when their tanker was overrun by flames. With them the six member crew from Narre Warren suffered the same fate. A memorial park in the centre of Panton Hill township gives tribute to their service and provides a venue for concerts and other social activities, reminding us not only of the sacrifice of those men, but also of the central role the Brigade has played over the years in bringing the community together. And on the end wall of the station, at right angles to the long row of pegs on which we hang our yellow helmets and wildfire clothes, our blue structure jackets, there is a polished plank of rich-grained wood that bears five empty pegs. They are wrought from aged iron spikes and each has a simple plaque with a name:

Maurice Atkinson - Stuart Duff- Neville - Jeffrey - Bill Marsden - Peter Singleton

There are brigade members still who knew those men as friends and others, the majority now, who did not: we all remember them.

Put this one in your calendar!!Community Bushfire Expo 2025Sunday, 5 October 2025, 10AM - 4:30PMHurstbridge Hub, 50 Grey...
17/07/2025

Put this one in your calendar!!
Community Bushfire Expo 2025
Sunday, 5 October 2025, 10AM - 4:30PM
Hurstbridge Hub, 50 Greysharps Road, Hurstbridge

Nillumbik: Empowering community to prepare for bushfires

The Community Bushfire Expo – a free, family-friendly event designed to help community prepare for the bushfire season.

Hosted by Nillumbik Shire Council, the Expo will bring together emergency services, community groups and local businesses to share valuable advice and practical tools to keep our community safe.

With expert presentations and interactive displays, the event will give residents and visitors the chance to:

* access critical information on bushfire preparedness and response
* connect directly with emergency services and local organisations
discover tools, resources and strategies to protect lives and properties;
* learn how to build resilience and reduce bushfire risks.

Originally launched in 2023 as a community-led initiative focused within the Panton Hill and St Andrews areas, the Bushfire Expo is now an annual Nillumbik Shire Council-led event, open to the whole shire.

Stallholder Expressions of Interest
Expressions of interest are now open for stallholders to secure a site at the Community Bushfire Expo. There is no fee associated with having a stall at the Expo, and there are great benefits for stallholders.

Reach a broad local audience across the Nillumbik community.
Showcase your expertise in bushfire prevention, safety and preparedness.
Strengthen community connections and build partnerships with residents, emergency services and other organisations.
Promote your services to a highly engaged and relevant audience.
Support an important annual initiative promoting long-term bushfire education and resilience.
For more information Visit: https://www.nillumbik.vic.gov.au/Explore/Events-and-festivals/Awards-ceremonies-and-major-events/Community-Bushfire-Expo

We were saddened to learn of Toni Moller's passing last Thursday. Toni was an energetic member of the Brigade in the las...
08/07/2025

We were saddened to learn of Toni Moller's passing last Thursday. Toni was an energetic member of the Brigade in the last century, fondly remembered by the few older members who were around back then. Having joined the Brigade in 1981, Toni was a trailblazer, becoming the first female Lieutenant in the CFA in 1987, a proud moment for Panton Hill.

She is in the centre of this picture from an article in the Diamond Valley News, alongside two other important women in our history (in Fran's case in our present too). In the following picture she is on the left of the front row.

Toni was Brigade Secretary from 1989 to 1995 and also served on the Municipal Fire Planning Committee for a number of years. Apart from her service in the CFA, Toni was known to most people in Panton Hill because she worked in the Post Office with Elaine. Than was in the days when it was a small room with a counter in the house next door to the Panton Hill Store

It was a pleasure to see her at our 85th Anniversary celebration in the station last year, when she did us the honour of cutting the cake. She impressed our State Member Cindy McLeish enough to rate a mention in Parliament!

May she rest in peace.

What's your home fire escape plan?
08/07/2025

What's your home fire escape plan?

The Footy and Nety Club is having a fundraiser for much-needed equipment. Only $20 a ticket. You can bring your own boga...
20/06/2025

The Footy and Nety Club is having a fundraiser for much-needed equipment. Only $20 a ticket. You can bring your own bogan or pick one up on the night. The Brigade will be spit roasting a bogan* too, so you won't go hungry.

*Possibly a metaphor for usual sorts of meat.

👣BOGAN BINGO IS COMING🍺
Thanks to Diamond Valley Autocare
🎼ALL CLUB 18+ EVENT🥳
It's gettin' close now, just a month to get your cheap-as $20 tickets to a night of raucous mayhen and laughs when Bogan Bingo hits the Panton Hill Hall on Saturday night July 5. It's gunna be fair dinkum grouse, 'n bloody fantastic, with drinks for sale, a food van, and a big free panel van to get you's home. You's a gotta be there just 'cos, so scan this funny lookin' thing on the photo and get your tickets, or via: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1399594

We joined forces with neighbouring brigades and brought along our Tanker 1 for a fire awareness session at Strathewen Pr...
15/05/2025

We joined forces with neighbouring brigades and brought along our Tanker 1 for a fire awareness session at Strathewen Primary School.

In emergencies, brigades rarely respond alone—so opportunities like this are invaluable for building familiarity with each other’s team members and appliances.

06/05/2025

Our Ultralight Tanker has been at the Melbourne Airport fire since 4pm and will be returning by 10pm. Tanker 1 is heading to the fire in a strike team at 9pm and will be there overnight.

Get yourself a Democracy Sausage at Panton Hill when you vote. Here till 4. Made from real politicians. Well ground.
02/05/2025

Get yourself a Democracy Sausage at Panton Hill when you vote. Here till 4.

Made from real politicians. Well ground.

We are saddened to hear of his passing. Our older members have good memories of working with Doug over many years. Our c...
01/05/2025

We are saddened to hear of his passing. Our older members have good memories of working with Doug over many years. Our condolences go to his family and the Upper Beaconsfield Brigade.

It is with much sadness that we advise of the passing of Doug Summons this morning.

Doug started his CFA journey with Narre Warren North Fire Brigade CFA in 1981 and went on to hold many positions there including lieutenant and Captain before transferring to Upper Beaconsfield Fire Brigade in 2004 where held various positions including 1st lieutenant.

Doug had a wicked sense of humour, loved a cup of tea and a bickie along with a chat. Doug was Mr fixit and loved nothing more than pottering away in the maintenance room fixing things along the way. We will miss him.

Our thoughts are with Doug’s family and friends at this difficult time.

Funeral arrangements TBA.

Upper Beaconsfield Fire Brigade - CFA

🙂
30/04/2025

🙂

Fire restrictions are ending on 1 May. However, it's still very dry out there. Pick your time carefully, have water on hand, continually monitor your fire,
and please register your burn beforehand so CFA don't get turned out unnecessarily 🙏

Check before the weather turns cold and you need the heating. Also, note that it is no longer legal to send small childr...
26/04/2025

Check before the weather turns cold and you need the heating.
Also, note that it is no longer legal to send small children up a chimney with a brush. That's not the sort of country life they're visiting grandparents for.

While the Easter Bunny is organising egg delivery for Sunday, we're collecting for the Royal Children's Hospital. Thank ...
18/04/2025

While the Easter Bunny is organising egg delivery for Sunday, we're collecting for the Royal Children's Hospital. Thank you kind motorists.

Easter Bunny is heading off to his burrow after a big last night at the Pub. Thanks to everyone who donated to the RCH A...
17/04/2025

Easter Bunny is heading off to his burrow after a big last night at the Pub. Thanks to everyone who donated to the RCH Appeal. Hope you enjoyed the eggs!

Address

Panton Hill, VIC

Telephone

9719 7382

Website

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