Article from the Border Chronicle, March 3rd 2015.
The Tatiara Men’s Shed has helped restore a piece of volunteer fire service history.
The task began when the SA Volunteer Fire Fighters Museum delivered a 1950s competition and training trailer to the shed last November and the men couldn’t resist the challenge to restore it.
The trailer was originally used as a training tool and was first allocated in the Bordertown Emergency Fire Service but was transferred to Naracoorte in the 1970s.
It was then set to be thrown away but was rescued by the museum, and now thanks to the work of the Men’s Shed, it has returned to its glory days and is looking better than ever.
Chairman of the museum Rex Hall said the museum committee were thrilled the Tatiara Men’s Shed had agreed to repair the trailer and was amazed at the restoration completed.
“The guys have done an excellent job and we are really grateful for it,” he said.
“The quality of what they have done is excellent – it’s even better than when it was new.”
President John Fielden said the men loved working on the trailer and everyone had a hand in the restoration.
“Everyone from the shed put in their two bobs’ worth, and did their part in, restoring the trailer,” he said.
“It was a great project and we are very proud of it.”
The Men’s Shed thank Craig Schulz from Border Blasting for donating the sand blasting and four litres of undercoat paint.
The trailer will be on display at the upcoming Mundulla show and at the SE Field Days at Lucindale.
It will then be moved to the SA Volunteer Fire Fighters Museum, where an open day is planned later in the year.