1880
16 August - the premises known as the Brighton Hotel at Tathra, and which were unoccupied, were totally destroyed by fire last night. It was constructed mostly of pine and burned furiously. in a few minutes it was consumed. The tenant was to take possession today. The circumstances connected with the fire may possibly be inquired into before the coroner. (Sydney Morning Herald, 1880).
1884
15 January - There is intense excitement over the fires at Bega, crowds of people from all parts assisting to extinguish it. Mr. Gee, jun., so far, has lost 1,500 bushels of wheat. The fire is now going towards Cockatoo, but if the wind continues as at present, no further damage will be done. At Bega, since Sunday, the weather is most unbearably warm, with hot scorching winds, caused by numerous bush fires raging all over the district. At 4 o'clock on Monday the wind changed to south east, and brought smoke in great clouds from the coast. The sun was completely obscured, nothing being visible at a distance of 600 yards. On Tuesday the weather was slightly improved, and during the night, numerous fires were seen on the ridges, and they appeared to be raging just as bad as ever this morning. Some years ago the same thing occurred and taught a lesson to settlers, who lave been careful to clear all the timber from the vicinity of their dwellings. At Nelson fearful havoc has been played with the grass and fencing. The chief sufferers are William Rlitchie and John Brown. The latter gentleman had a very hard struggle to save his residence. He got upon the roof, and continuously drenched it with water.At Tonja (sic) the fire is burning fiercely, and all along to Tathra. Black range is alight, and Bega Reserve has not escaped. A constable started on Monday towards Merinuglo (sic), to collect information for the electoral roll, but was stopped by the fire At the last named place Mr. Wren had a great deal of grain burnt. These fires have been burning in some places for nearly a month, and this, with the heat, has caused vegetation to wither up. The whole district is looking very badly, and should the heat and fires continue much longer, water will get short. (Sydney Telegraph, Jan 1884)
1888
24 November
- Bush fires have been burning during the week in many parts of the district. Thousands of acres of grass have been burnt. the town (Bega) this morning was enveloped in smoke. Altogether it has been the worst day ever experienced. The steamer Bega missed Montague Island yesterday, and just managed to make Tathra. The SS Oonah had to lay off Eden for some hours on account of the dense smoke, which is all along the coast. (Sydney Morning Herald, 1888)
1896
Monday, March 9. The residence of Mr. J. Howard, at Tathra, was totally destroyed by fire during the absence of the family. Nothing was saved. (Evening News, Sydney)
1903
Following the fire which destroyed John Dunn's store in August 1903, a public meeting was held to discuss the possibility of forming a Volunteer Fire Brigade for Candelo. (The Southern Star, Bega - Wednesday 12 August 1903)
1904
24 August - On Monday evening last a public meeting was held at the School of Arts for the purpose of discussing various matters in connection with the Brigade and the selection of officers. The following gentlemen were present: Messrs Jno Pike (Chair), A Young, A Manns, H.G. Hammond, T. Pike, D. Williams, G. Smith, T. Robertson, F. Morrow and C.H. Brooks. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and adopted. A letter was read stating that in all probability the fire engine would be there some time next month. A letter was also read from the secretary of the Paddington Fire Brigade, wherein some sound advice was given in connection with the working of a young brigade.As the trustees of the Recreation Ground had granted permission for a room to be built on the grounds in which to put the engine, Messrs. Jas. Pike, Young, Morrow, Manns and Brooks were appointed a sub-committee to meet the trustees and select the area on which to build.The election of officers was then proceeded with: Mr A Young was unanimously elected captain, Mr F. Morrow engineer, and Mr. Brooks Hon. Secretary. Three lieutenants were nominated, Messrs. Manns, Pike and Smith and a ballot had to be taken for the different positions, with the result that Mr. Manns was elected first lieutenant, Jas. Pike second and G. Smith third.Rules and regulations were then drawn up and the secretary was instructed to write to Sydney and procure Shaw's book on fire brigades for the use of the brigade (Candelo and Eden Union - Wednesday 31 August 1904)
1905
18 January - Bega district had a rough time from bush fires. At Wyndham two lives were lost - a settler named Milliner and his child. (Northern Star, Lismore 1905)
1923
11 October - A fire occurred in the five room residence of Mrs. Whiteley senr., Tathra Rd. The building and all the contents, including piano, furniture, sewing machine and money being completely destroyed. There was no insurance. Mrs Whiteley, who is 87, was rescued from the burning building by her daughter. (Sydney Morning Herald, 1923)
1925
30 December - Beare's Sawmill at Tanja was destroyed by fire last night. Only the engine and boiler were saved. The mill was insured. (Sydney Morning Herald, 1925)
1930
21 April - A weatherboard building known as Old Tathra Post-Office, owned by Mr. Benjamin Gowing, and its contents owned by Mr. Basil Lawler, were destroyed by fire early yesterday morning. The building was uninsured but the contents were covered. The origin of the fire is unknown. (Sydney Morning Herald, 1930)
1940
24 February - Five cottages and a general store were burnt when bush fires swept through Tathra a pleasure resort 11 miles from Bega. Many residents escaped the flames by sitting in the sea. Others stood under a wharf as the fire went through the town. A police car outside a store was destroyed Flames were fought by volunteers with water from household tanks. At Cobargo people were called from the annual show, to fight fires by way of Cooma. (Barrier Miner, Broken Hill 1940)
1942
31st August - The inaugural meeting of the Jellat Jellat Bushfire Brigade was held at Tathra 31st August 1942. At this meeting Mr. J.B. D’Arcy outlined the fundamental principles of a properly organised Bushfire Brigade. Mr. W. Russell was elected Captain, Mr. J Taylor Jnr. Vice Captain, with Mr. L. R. Gowing Secretary. Present at this meeting were Messrs J. Taylor Snr., W. Russell, J.B. D’Arcy, J. Taylor Jnr., D.R. and L.R. Gowing. Tathra was also well represented.(As far as was known) this was the first Volunteer Bushfire Brigade organised in this area. Subsequently many other areas in the District followed the lead given by the Jellat organisation. Because of the prevailing dry conditions in 1942, there was a growing awareness of the danger of bushfires. This situation was aggravated by the lack of manpower, many of the younger generation being involved with World War II.The main equipment were some leather beaters and wet bags. In the early years the Bushfire Brigade was mainly concerned with helping to fight fires outside their own area. A meeting was held in Bega soon after the formation of the Jellat Bushfire Brigade to organise the various areas of the district. A brigade had already been formed in Candelo and, in fighting fires in January 1942, lost one or more cars. The Bega River at that time had stopped flowing from Christmas to the following March, the first time ever. This was to be repeated in 1968.
