Thornycroft Fire Truck makes for a kind donation

The decision was made at last night’s Council Meeting, on the condition that the truck maintains its City of Wanneroo badging.

The fire truck was manufactured by Thornycroft in Basingstoke, United Kingdom in December 1962.

It was originally purchased by Perth Airport, until it was bought by the then Shire of Wanneroo in the early 1970s as the first heavy duty fire truck in the area.

Mayor Tracey Roberts said with a large 8000-litre water tank, the Wanneroo Central Bush Fire Brigade used the truck as a water-point appliance as well as a fire fighting unit until 1994.

“The Thornycroft Fire Truck has certainly been a valuable asset to the Wanneroo Central Bush Fire Brigade, as well as the airport prior to that,” Mayor Roberts said.

“It makes sense that it will now be carefully restored and preserved as it should be, and who better to do that than the WA Volunteer Bush Fire Brigades Historical Group. I am very pleased that the Thornycroft Fire Truck will retain its link with the City of Wanneroo through the retention of the badging.”

Chris Hudson, Captain of Wanneroo Central Bush Fire Brigade, said he was pleased the vehicle will be well-looked after in its new home.

“After several starts at restoring her by the Wanneroo Central Brigade volunteers, we are now happy to see Big Bertha, as she was affectionately known, going to a new home at the WA Volunteer Bush Fire Brigades Historical Group and being restored to her former glory,” he said.

The tanker will be transported to the group’s facility in Bridgetown for restoration works, which is expected to be relatively straightforward due to the good condition of the vehicle.