Media Release

Old fire truck goes to Southland Fire Service Museum

3 February 2010

An old Solid Energy fire truck from New Vale Mine, destined for stripping down into spare parts, has received a last-minute reprieve, thanks to the Southland Fire Service Museum Society.

The deregistered 1968 Ford Fire Engine DL7158, with an odometer that’s been three times around the clock, has been donated free to the museum by Solid Energy.

The museum now has possession of the truck, which will be restored to its former glory before seeing out the rest of its days on display at the Southland Fire Service Museum, says Society spokesman, Michael Corson.

Mr Corson said he was delighted to hear last week that the Society was the successful tenderer for the truck from Solid Energy.

“We just didn’t want to see the old truck chopped up for parts. It just seemed such a pity, when we knew the community would get more out of it in the museum. We’re stoked that Solid Energy has now offered it to us free.

“Now we start the hard work of raising money to get it restored, then it goes straight into the museum for everyone to enjoy,” Mr Corson says.

Solid Energy New Vale Mine Manager, Antony Stodart, says “The Fire Service does a lot for the community as first response to all sorts of call-outs – medical, traffic and fire. They’re the jack of all trades in small communities, so this was a great opportunity for Solid Energy to give something back to them.”