August 4, 2025
The official opening of the Mondure Rural Fire Brigade shed on Saturday morning was a major highlight of Rural Fire Service Queensland Week for local rural firies.
Member for Nanango, Attorney-General Deb Frecklington joined Queensland Fire Department senior staff at the opening.
The new shed has been erected near the old shed, which has now been repurposed as a training area with its own kitchen.
Mondure & Districts Rural Fire Brigade was established on January 8, 2009, through the amalgamation of the Stonelands and the Wheatlands brigades.
On October, 4, 2019, the Keysland brigade was added, followed by the Abbeywood-Hivesville on May 19, 2023.
First Officer Barbara Hockey said the brigade now serviced an area of 780 square kilometres with three units.
The first Mondure fire truck, Mondure 41, was originally housed in a local farmer’s machinery shed.
The brigade later gained its own shed, but the arrival of a second truck meant it quickly became overcrowded.
Barbara said the campaign to get a new, larger shed began in 2016, the land was leased in 2019 and a sod-turning ceremony was held in 2022.
The keys to a new fire truck for Tablelands Rural Fire Brigade were also handed over on Saturday, as well as the presentation of well-deserved medals by QFD Acting Assistant Chief Officer Peter Harkin.
Mondure volunteer John Armstrong, who has served as a rural firefighter for an amazing 33 years, was presented with the National Medal and 1st Clasp.
Crew Leader and 3rd Officer Leigh Weier was presented with the National Medal and QFES Medal.
Barbara accepted a National Medal on behalf of retired firefighter Jeff Horne.
