1970

An allocation of $1000.00 has been approved for the purchase of a Landrover personnel carrier vehicle from the army.

Mr. Alby Kay was made a Life Member of the Brigade. Alby was a past Captain of the Brigade.

1971

Plans were prepared for the building of an extension to the station to house both the ladies auxiliary vehicle and the Landrover personnel carrier.

The plans were drawn up and submitted by Brigade member Mr. Alan Barnes.

1972

At the general meeting held on the 13th March, Life Membership was granted to Mr. Reg Schwarze.

At the AGM held on 10th April, the FCO Mr. Ray Watchorn gave a report that over the past six months, $26,000.00 had been spent on vehicles, buildings and equipment.

Also the shire brigades had attended 236 bushfires and 15 vehicle fires. Over 1,751 crews were used with a total of  6,584 man hours in the field.

Crews from Engadine went to the far south coast area of Eden with tanker (1381) to assist with serious fires that were in and around the area.

1973

The brigade was again asked to attend another out of area fire, this time in the Mittagong area.

The Brigade attended the Baulkham Hills Shire gymkhana and were successful in coming home with 3rd.prize in the Hook and Ladder event.

Because of the amount of fire activity and out of area assistance that the Brigade has been giving, the President Mr. George Smith spoke on the need for the Brigade to establish a welfare fund account, so as to assist members who may have difficulties of injury during the course of fire related activities. Motion carried.

1974

The brigade represented the Sutherland Shire Brigade’s at a gymkhana held in the country town of Dungog. This was well attended by both members as well as their families. The families camped at the Dungog showground’s on the Saturday night and were accused the next day of leading another visiting brigade astray, causing them to not do really well at the gymkhana.

The Brigade held its first ever Fire Prevention Week with an open fire station to the community and general public. This was a great success and appreciated by all who attended and were shown through the station and the operation of equipment.

1975

During January the brigade attended 17 fires within the shire as well as sending crews to Wentworth on the Victorian border. At the same time sending crews to Baulkham Hills Shire over a 3 day period.

A hot water service was purchased and installed in the station.

1976

At the Brigades general meeting held on 13th February it was unanimously moved and carried that  Mr. Ray Watchorn our ex-FCO be granted Honoury Life Membership.

The brigade finished working on their new tanker(second hand from Council), the tanker designated 1362 was an ex-sullage tanker. The brigade members stripped the vehicle, re-sprayed it ,fitted the tank from 1361 and re-outfitted with equipment.

The Captain congratulated all members involved, of the great effort that was put in.

1977

The new kitchen building project is now completed and is up and running. This was done by “Rags Construction” (rough as guts) i.e.: the members.

Fire Prevention week was again held at the station with a poster competition held for the schools in the area. Over two hundred posters were hung up in the specially adapted Landrover bay and on the open day the prize winners were named and presented with their prizes. It was very successful.

The brigade attended 148 calls from April until November. This included 48 calls between October and December.

At the Sutherland Shire’s Brigades gymkhana, Engadine was awarded the “Willis Horner” trophy for the Best Brigade in the Shire. This is one of the most prized awards worked for each year.

The winning brigade is appraised on station inspection and Brigades preparedness.

1978

In appreciation of the work and hours that the Brigade put in at the Crostan Rd. fire, with no loss of property, the residents donated to the Brigade the amount of $124.85

A regular work night was introduced to be held at the station so as to take the work load off on the Sunday training mornings. This was to ensure that all of the vehicles and equipment were in ready to go condition. Thursday night being the allocated night.

The Brigade Children’s Christmas Party and picnic held at Woronora Dam was a great success with Santa arriving by tanker and giving out presents. Harry (tug) Wilson was our Santa’s rep.

1979

The Brigade has been issued with the new Stortz type coupling. This is a quick type connect coupling doing away with the old screw on type.

A suspected fire bug was operating within the area and all brigade members were to be aware.

Mr. George Smith, long serving President, stood down from the position due to excessive business commitments. George held this position for 19 years and was one the brigade’s most experienced fire fighters and administrators.

Mr. Jeff Ireson  who was the Vice President then took on the position of President.

The Brigade formed a junior squad with the maximum of 12 juniors to be part of a training program which would see them progress with Brigade activities. The aim of the junior program was to ensure the strength of the Brigades future role and maintaining a full complement of trained bushfire fighters.

At the Shire’s gymkhana held at Menai oval in September, the Brigade won the Sutherland Shire Council’s mechanic’s award for the best mechanical condition of vehicles.