BERWICK Fire Brigade celebrated its 80th birthday year on Saturday with a reunion of more than 100 past and present brigade members.

One highlight of the day was the return to Berwick of the brigade’s first motorised fire appliance, which had not been in the town for 30 years.

It was in its day an innovative unit built on a Buick truck that was extensively modified by Berwick garage owner and fire brigade member Alex McNabb.

The unit was commissioned in 1932 and served Berwick until the early 1960s.

The design of the vehicle was adopted by the then Country Fire Brigade’s Board, which subsequently built more.

It was eventually sold to Warragul Fire Brigade in the early 1960s for £20 ($40).

Today the vehicle is owned by a private collector and was loaned to the brigade for the reunion.

Many of the members at the afternoon celebration reminisced about their days when the vehicle was the brigade’s frontline weapon in fighting fire, and there was a little nostalgic fun for the oldies when they went for a ride on the heirloom.

Two other trucks from the past were also brought to Berwick for the day – an Austin pumper and Austin tanker, from the Melbourne Fire Museum.

Both vehicles were key parts of the CFA’s fleet during the 1960s and 1970s before a new generation of fire truck was developed in the 1980s.

The vintage vehicles were a stark contrast to the modern fleet now operated by the CFA.

Two of the most current design of trucks are housed at Berwick.

Many stories were revisited and old acquaintances renewed as members gathered from near and far for the afternoon’s celebrations.

The brigade’s records were a centre of interest.