Lachlan Shire Council provided Tullibigeal with their first ever fire truck in the early 1980's.

It was a Bedford truck, fire engine No. 82, purchased from Lockhart.

Prior to obtaining the Bedford, firefighting around the small village was undertaken with privately owned water carts and knap sacks. 

The old truck became part of local legend in 1991 when during a large bushfire, the majority of the men were called away to tackle the fire - with a new fire truck- leaving the town's women to use the old Bedford and protect the town from spot fires and the threat of disaster.

Earlier this year, the council received government funding of $125000 to house the historic vehicle as a permanent exhibit in town in an enclosed shed and with relevant signage about the historic fire unit.

The truck is currently being restored in preparation for the display.

As part of the project it is planned to produce signs and posters that detail the history, tell the stories and show photographs of the truck in service.

While the story about the courageous women in 1991 is documented, there are bound to be plenty of other stories that local historians hope will come to light.

This information isn’t readily available so Council is asking members of the community to come forward with any information they might have about the vehicle and its use in the local vicinity.

IMAGE: Lachlan Shire Council

Janelle Ireland, a member of the Tullibigeal and District Progress Association said the community are looking forward to the project coming together.

"The truck has been in over in Yenda getting restored by a young guy who loves doing that sort of thing," she said. "When it's finished and back in the new shed, the council is looking to have some signage up about the history."

Council has some information on the truck’s history and the heroic actions of the women and children of Tullibigeal to protect the town from fire in 1991, but they are looking for more.

"The vehicle was around for a long time before 1991, so it would be great to get some more information," a council spokesperson said. "However, we need as much information as possible to tell the full story of the truck and its importance to the community."

  If you have any information that could be used in this project, please email Council’s Manager Projects and Buildings, Guy Marchant at [email protected] or Janelle Ireland at [email protected].

"We're hoping for a September opening for the shed," Ms Ireland said. "It will be great to have a display for visitors to look at and understand the history."