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.A further extension to the Fire Station was approved in February 1979 in the form of dual toilets, kitchen and separate meeting room facilities the cost of this to be met jointly by both Fire control and Mid Dural Brigade. The design and much of the erection was carried out by the members including the final carpeting, heating, ceiling fixing and painting.

Radio Communication equipment was still slow in being supplied via the approved system and it was decided to introduce our own vehicle VHF radios into the system. Although sanction was allowed by the Broadcasting Control Authorities, Council refused to officially allow the use of this equipment, however the Mobile radios were purchased by the Brigade and proved most effective in the operational sense and remained in service for about four years until finally superseded by UHF Mobile and Hand Held transceivers supplied through Bush Fire Services.

During 1980 the Brigade was experiencing some difficulties with the administration of the Fire Control Officer and convened several meetings to discuss their concern and general dissatisfaction with the FCO and at the meeting held in October 1980.

It was decided to notify Council of the breakdown in faith with the FCO indicating they could no longer continue operating under his control and requesting Council to mediate in the dispute.

Council responded to this request by calling a meeting and unconditionally sacking the Brigade Executive.

There were many members within the Brigade however who were willing to live with conditions as they were.

This resulted in a meeting being called which was held at the home of resident brigade member Mr. John Mutch to re- convene the Brigade and elect a new executive committee.The date was 8 th February 1982 and the 37 members present voted to instigate the re- opening of the Brigade under new management.

1975 Was an important time in the development of the Brigade and in February the Annual General meeting was held at the fire station in Mid Dural Road and due to the effect on the recent fires on the populous drew a roll up of some 45 people. A number of changes occurred in the Office Bearers of the Brigade at this meeting and for interest are named as:

Captain:Mr. Bruce Cranston. President: Mr. Doug Chivers. Vice. Presidents: Mr. Keith Simpson. Mr. Keith Morrison and Mr. John Powell. Secretary: Mr. Des Baker. Treasurer:  Mr. Len Best. Deputies: Neville Brown, Les Beard, Len Best, Terry Wasson, Ben Swain, Ray Edwards, Harold Cranston, Bruce Hannel, Rob Horton  Equipment Officers: Mr. John Mutch, Mr. Q Wood, Mr. R Epthorpe, 

Executive Committee:  N. Nightingale,  H. Best,         . .                 N.Pearce,  K. Hewitt,  Ken Lines. 

First Aid:   Mr. Neville Brown.

Auditor:    Mr.Ron Vernon.

1975 also saw the first nomination forwarded to Council for a Special 25 Year Service Award for Mr. Les Beard who had joined the Brigade in 1950 under Captain Harold Cranston as fireman, soon promoted to Lieutenant (Deputy) and finally Senior Deputy Captain.

It is unclear when this award was finally presented due to delays within Council but appears to be late

1976.  Another major reshuffle in the Executive of the Brigade occurred in March 1977 brought about by the resignation of Captain Mr. Bruce Cranston after 6 years of service his position being filled by Mr. Neville Brown a man who was to have a marked impression on the Brigade in the near future.

Mr.Neville Brown also accepted the dual roll as President, however in the following year the President's roll was accepted by Mr. Robert Horton and the office of Secretary was filled by well known Mid Dural Resident Miss. Phyllis Arnott.

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The Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade was officially reopened with a potential membership of 25 persons. An election of officers held resulted in the following appointments:

President...…...Graham Thorn

Captain.……...Mike Donohoe

Secretary........David Badger

Sen. Deputy...Jim Smith

Treasurer….…Nick Boston

Deputy Capt....K. Lines  R Fallick.

G.Reidy N. Bolton.

R.Clutterbuck…G. Thorn.

          Equip. Officer….John Mutch. Bob Clutterbuck.

The F.C.O, Baulkham Hills, Mr. Lionel Smith thanked the brigade after a difficult year. He promised full Council support for our activities and hoped 1982 would be a successful year.

The incoming members and executive had a busy period in the first 1 2 months of operation as reported in the 39th Annual General Meeting held February 1984. There were 13 fires attended during the year comprised of bush fires, house fires and car fire this coupled with an extensive hazard reduction programme which kept them extremely busy but served to weld all the members into a successful fire fighting group.

This was further enhanced by the popular election of Mr. Jim Smith into the position of Captain, a post he has held with some distinction up to 1999 . During this first year after reorganization the Brigade also had 5 members under go training in St.Johns First Aid course. During early 1984 the Baulkham Hills Control Centre instigated the new Basic Training Scheme. Our brigade fielded some 17 members to this course

all of who qualified to bring them up to the statutory requirements set for Bush Fire Fighters. We also had the pleasure of honoring our Senior Deputy Mr. Len Best with his 25 year long service award, Len also had the pleasure in 1989 joining his son Jeffery Best to the brigade there making 4 generations of the Best family involved in active participation.

Fire Fighter No. 2 in June 1983 we took delivery of our second Fire Vehicle. This was a Land Rover, which had been fitted out originally by the R.A.A.F as a quick response vehicle for use at the airfield. The Land Rover was acquired by Council and extensively refitted before being handed over. This vehicle carried its own in built water tank and a high volume pump which ran from the power take off which supplied two 6mm hose outlets and one PVC hose reel. The! unit proved to be a valuable asset to the Brigade being in service for many years and featured in many fires and hazard reductions.

At this time Bush Fire Control again notified the Brigade that a replacement Fire Tanker was soon to be made available. This was welcome news as the old Tanker was not without some problems the least of which was the petrol engine  it  used  and  now,  with  the recommendations from Government that all vehicles be converted to diesel power for safety reasons, the

new 'International' vehicle was to be fitted with a new Perkins diesel engine to conform to regulations.

It was September 1984 and the replacement Fire Tanker arrived and was instated in the Station, this created extreme  interest as most drivers had to be retrained to become confident with the diesel vehicle also training to operate the new pumping and winching equipment on board.

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