Vintage MFB trucks on display at Newport

Above: Tommy, 4, and Harry, 3, can’t wait for the fire brigade’s 125th anniversary. Picture: Damjan Janevski) Below: A 1912 Hotchkiss hose carriage. (Supplied)

The Fire Services Museum of Victoria will mark the 125th anniversary of the MFB by opening the doors of its Newport workshop museum next month.

The Champion Road workshop houses a selection of vintage fire trucks, painstakingly restored by volunteers and retired firefighters.

MFB chief officer Peter Rau says dozens of fire appliances used by the MFB and CFA over the past century will be displayed. They will include horse-drawn carriages, ladder platforms and pumpers.

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“MFB is proud to be celebrating 125 years of serving Melbourne so we’re inviting the community to join us to see the evolution of our firefighting appliances,” Mr Rau said. “The tireless work of retired firefighters and museum volunteers is to be commended in maintaining this important piece of MFB heritage.

“There are still firefighters in the job today who can remember driving some of these trucks and they will be happy to share their memories with the community who attend.”

The open day is May 7, from 10am-4pm, and entry is by gold coin donation. For more information on 125th anniversary events, visit: mfb.vic.gov.au/MFB125