01x02 - Ten Town Fire Brigade

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It all began one day last summer. We had nothing much to do, so we decided to explore the bush near Walaby Creek.

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Not far from our farm, we found a lot of old packing cases. And this gave us an idea.

Well, we decided to build a town out of the cases. Not a very big town, but just big enough for the of us. So Helen

rode back to ask her father if we could use the cases and if so to collect some hammers, saws, and plenty of nails.

Now, this is going to take a great deal of thought and planning. What will we call it?

Well, there is of us. Why don't we call it turn?

Yes. And all our friends will turn up as well.

Well, it's still of us. We can still call it . Yes. And we could be the terrible . It's all right. We can have the cases.

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For some time, we had been troubled by our old enemies, Rex Jackson and his baddies from across the creek. At that

moment, we didn't know that we could expect a lot more trouble from Rex Jackson.

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At last, Ten Town was finished. It had a town hall, a bank, a general store, a newspaper office, and even a hotel.

Sally designed the flag, which had the Australian flag in one corner and two T's on it for .

It has been hot work in the town and everyone went to the hotel for a nice cool glass of lemon before the flag raising ceremony began.

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You may think you're clever, but tomorrow we will attack and capture everything, including your flag. Sign the enemy.

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We had built our own town out of some old packing cases we had found near our farm.

It had a town hall, a bank, general store, a newspaper office and a hotel.

We had our own flag with two T's on it which stood for Tinta.

Just as we began to raise the flag for the first time, our old enemy Rex Jackson and his baddies arrived on the

scene with a message. They were going to attack us and destroy Tentown.

This meant w*r. We had to defend our town.

Everyone must go. We've got to build these barricades.

Hop on your horse and ride over the barn. You can have the syrup in the barn. Hurry.

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We needed plenty of flower bombs and plenty of water. So Joanne and Sally were put in charge of ammunition.

Gerald, you're in charge of the defenses. got some special plenty of water.

Gerald and the others started to build a barricade around the walls of Tenttown.

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pap.

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Here I come now.

Keep firing. Roger and I are going to go around and attack on Maria. Hey Roger, bring the pot with me.

Put this blue and trigger on the next one of Let's have them as quick as we can.

Listen, man. This is our secret weapon.

These bombs are full of trickle and blue. Our boys attack the enemy from the ring. We let them have this little surprise.

Peppa, this will fix

the house.

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Well, we had our first victory. The enemy was in full retreat. was still standing and the town flag was flying as proudly as ever.

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With the dry season coming on and the possibility of a very hot Australian summer, the terrible called a meeting at headquarters. to discuss the ways in

which they can help prevent forest [music] fires.

As editor of our newspaper, the Bugle, I went along to report on the meeting.

And so I moved that town should have its own fire brigade. If the Wallaby Creek Brigade was called out to a fire and another one broke out, we'd be ready.

I second the motion. All those in favor say I. I motion carried. Now, the first thing we need is a fire engine. Any suggestions?

Couldn't we buy one like Wallaby Creeks on weekly payments? No. No.

Well, there's some old cars down at the garage. I'm sure the man would give us one. He calls them old bombs.

Well, then let's go down and see him about it.

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We pushed the old car back to Tenttown.

It was quite an exciting trip for the driver, especially going downhill.

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Everyone at Pintown thought it looked wonderful, although the horses weren't too sure about it.

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Well, the main thing was to turn it into a fire engine. So, we got right on the job straight away.

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One of the most important things about a fire engine is that it has to be red.

So, we all got busy with the brushes and paint.

that guy. [music] Another very important thing we needed

for the fire engine was some sort of tank. And this had us really stumped until one day Roger and Gerald were making a call on Pop Jones.

We often call on him and take him some tobacco and papers.

He tells us wonderful stories and always seems pleased to see us.

Hello, lads. You got me back here. P on you. Here, come and sit down. Tell me all the news. Move this old cup. That's right. Come a bit closer. A bit deaf.

Now, how you getting on with this fire engine thing? We were doing fine till we asked Mr. Wilson for an old tank on his place.

Yeah. What happened then? He chased us away.

Did he? [laughter] Here.

I've got an old tank out back. An old dairy tank it is. And a pump as well.

You can have them. You might be able to fix it up. Go on. Gee,

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I had been away for a few days and was catching up on some news for the bugle from Sally.

I wish you would have been here last week, Gary. We had so much trouble fitting up the water tanks and everything, but it's all fixed now.

I've got to get some news for the bugle. Now, what horsepower is this engine? One.

Wow, what a beauty. There she was, all shining red with a tank, a ladder, and a great big firebell.

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That's it. Got it now. Just be further over.

Look out. [screaming] Then there was fire practice. It seemed funny how many times a fire hose got

itself pointed in the wrong direction at the right time.

We got very interested in this firefighting business and every weekend we sent out patrols to warn campers and picnicers about fighting fires.

Excuse me, lady, but the bush is very dry just about here. And there's a proper fireplace just around the corner.

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Then it happened. Roger was out in patrol and came galloping back to town with the news.

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Hey Paul, there's a terrific bush fire on the other side of the mountain and the Wannabe Creek Brigade have gone to help. We may be near here. Quick, Paul, meet in the lookout.

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Hey, look. There's smoke over near Pop's place somewhere. A lot of smoke. That old pot couldn't be burning odd.

The medics are too bad. Anyway, let's harness up lightning and get the engine ready. Right. Solve the fire alarm.

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With the dry season coming on and the news already of several bush fires in the district, the terrible set up their own fire brigade. An old car was

converted into a fire engine. A lookout was posted up in a tree and the girls, Sally and Joanne, started practicing first aid.

Jeffrey agreed to be their patient, but soon wished that he hadn't been so keen.

Shouldn't we have left a hole somewhere for breathing? Or he must be breathing if he can make all those noises.

It didn't come long to wait. News came that the Walaby Creek brigade had been called out to a bushfire. And a little later, a look outside smoke coming from the opposite direction.

It seemed to us it was coming from the property of an old friend of ours. Pop Jones.

Anyway, this didn't seem right. Get the engine ready. Right. Sound the fire alarm.

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Harry, get over to headquarters and get the Wally Creek Brigade on the radio.

Tell them that we'll do our best with this fire until they arrive.

Okay, then I'd like to the lookout and see if I can help them from here. Right.

Which one's coming around towards Pop Jones's house? Right.

Hello, bush radio. The bush fight is just coming around to this side towards Pub Joe's Jones house. Over.

Nice work, son. The fire brigade will be there as soon as they can. I'll get in touch with them. You just keep in touch with me. Over.

We prepared for action. As a result of our training, everything went like clockwork except for Lightning, who was to provide our power for our one horsepowered firing. Come on. Come on.

Get back. Hoop back. Come on. Hoop back.

Get on. Come on. H. Back. [music]

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Yes, it was Pop Jones place. [music] All right. We didn't know at the time that the old man was still inside. He must

have dropped off to sleep with his pipe still a light and set fire to the curtains.

as a power for our fire engine.

Lightning has three speeds. Slow, fast, and stop. And we can never be sure which one we're going to get. We have often

found that apples make him go like a super grade petrol for a short burst.

When this happens, we have to throw out the anchor for an extra break going downhill.

Jeffrey finally made it. And as usual with fire hoses, they often get pointed in the wrong direction at the right

time. But an extra bath a week never did anyone any harm.

Hello radio calling. Are you receiving me?

As soon as we got the message, no time was lost. The rescue squad went into action with the girls [music] standing by for first aid.

When the Wabe Creek Brigade arrived, they said we'd got the Pop Jones just in time.

They often let us ride on their real fire engine now, an old Pop Jones is usually around to give us a wave as we go roaring by.

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