01/08/2026
80 Years of Oakville Rural Fire Brigade
The 1970s, the 1980s and The Studebaker
In 1970 the Brigade was moved to a new home, on land donated by the Smith Family, on the corner of Bocks and Hanckel Road, to which it stands today. That same year, an International chassis was purchased and fitted out as a bush fire tanker, to meet growing needs.
Perhaps the Brigade’s most iconic appliance arrived in 1971, with the purchase of an ex-World War II Studebaker US Army truck for $400.
The 6 wheel drive vehicle was fitted with a 3,500-litre water tank and a Godiva pump powered by a Volkswagen engine, capable of pumping more than 2,500 litres of water per minute.
The Studebaker quickly became synonymous with the Oakville Brigade. Over the next 26 years, it responded to well over 1,000 fires, including major bushfire campaigns across New South Wales such as Eden (1972), Mittagong and Newnes (1974), Baulkham Hills (1975), Sutherland (1976), the Blue Mountains (1977 and 1979), Goulburn/Taralga (1978), Bell (1982–83), Blacktown (1984), East Kurrajong and the Dharuk Tyre Fire (1986), Blaxlands Ridge (1990) and Baulkham Hills (1991), as well as countless fires throughout the Hawkesbury.
Today, the Studebaker remains one of the Brigade’s most treasured pieces of history. It was retired from operational service in 1997. It was used by the Brigade for displays and community events.
In 2022 the Studebaker, along with the Blitz was entrusted to the NSW RFS Heritage Group, who now care for and preserve these historic appliances at the RFS Heritage Museum.
