Narrabri Volunteer Rescue Association proudly serving community for 50 years

The Narrabri Volunteer Rescue Association (VRA) squad has come a long way since its humble beginnings in 1975.

This weekend, the VRA will mark its 50th anniversary with a celebratory dinner reflecting on its history and service to the community.

When the squad was formed, there was a strong need for rescue facilities and services as nothing was available.

Original members Harvey Black and Terry Sadler are still part of the VRA today.

Prior to the squad’s formation, mayor Vic Miller had called a meeting at the old municipal council chambers.

Thirty people put their names down to kickstart the VRA, and of those 15 attended the first training night.

Mr Black recalled the VRA’s early days, with the emergency service spending a considerable amount of time responding to vehicle accidents.

“There were a huge number of accidents at the time,” he said.

This was a time when the Newell Highway was relatively new and the Kamilaroi Highway didn’t exist.

Mr Harvey also remembered the community’s continued support of the VRA.

The squad’s first vehicle was a box trailer painted white and green from the BP garage. The VRA then got its first truck, however, it was too big to fit in its shed at the Narrabri Police Station.

The VRA underwent a period of growth, and by the early 1980s had acquired a block of Crown land, gazetted for 99 years. The land was developed with its current facilities on Mooloobar Street.

Training nights have been the cornerstone of the VRA’s operations in the community.

Mr Black said this focus on training was all about knowledge, ability, innovation and readiness.

The VRA receiving its new van in the 1980s. Pictured, Dr Kerry Moroney, John Hardgrave, Len Hall and Harvey Black.

While the VRA is still involved in vehicle accident response, its scope has evolved and is well-known for conducting rescues up Mount Kaputar during snow as well as assisting in searching for missing people among other emergencies. The VRA has also supported the SES during floods.

Something it has become known for in recent years is its response to snake callouts.

The work can be confronting, responding to incidents where the squad knows the people involved.

Mr Black recalled a devastating vehicle accident involving 10 people in two vehicles with multiple fatalities.

Mr Black said the people involved in the collision had been known to the squad.

While challenging, the squad got to work in its response to the incident.

“If you don’t have people, you have no rescue squad,” Mr Black said of the service’s volunteers.

The motto of the VRA, ‘A Helping Hand , Anywhere, Anytime’ rings true today just as it did all those years ago.

In terms of thanking people, organisations, services and businesses – there are too many to list from 50 years of service.

However, Mr Black praised the community’s continued support.

For decades, the VRA had to fundraise for its equipment and to keep the service operating. The VRA is now funded by the state government – its first full year of funding.

“That means we don’t have to be out selling raffle tickets,” Mr Black said.

“The fundraising, and the support from the community, is what has held the squad together over those years.

“We had to work to keep us going.”