Mines Rescue

The Mines Rescue building is now the proud location of our Toyota franchise. Here is an interesting fact: During his tenure from 1960-1969 as Governor of Queensland Sir Henry Able Smith regularly attended the annual Christmas party at the station. This function was organised by and funded by the trainees and other invited guests included:

Under Secretary of Mines Chief Inspector of Coal Mines

Members of the Coal Board

Representatives of QATB and

Coal Miners Union;

It was at one of these functions that Sir Henry was made an Honorary Member of the Booval Mines Rescue Brigade. He graciously accepted and thanked the members for the honour of being made a member of this important part; of the Queensland Coal mining Industry.

- Pat Farrell (On behalf of the Retired members of the Mines Rescue Brigade.)

In 1909 the Queensland Department of Mines initiated a move for the establishment of a Mines Rescue Brigade in Ipswich.

Subsequently a meeting was held in the Ipswich Council Chambers on August 13th 1910.  Those present included the Mayor Alderman M Bowers who presided; Mr. J A Elliot (Member of the Committee of the Ipswich Ambulance Centre); Mr. A C Tomkins Superintendent Ipswich Ambulance; Hon A J Thynne MLC President of the Queensland Ambulance Transport Brigade; Messrs W H Bell Chairman of the Brisbane Ambulance Centre; J Thomas Locan Inspector of Mines; D Gledson and James Pryde representing Queensland Colliery Employees Union; R Lindsay and A Orr representing the Mine Managers; and Joseph Stafford representing the Colliery Proprietors. 

 The meeting voted enthusiastically for an early establishment of a Rescue Brigade and appointed a committee to act with the QATB and local Inspectors of Mines in taking necessary steps for its information.

The committee comprised of Messrs J A Elliot Chairman W C Tomkins Secretary W Morris, D A Gledson, W Binnie, J A Thomas, and G Turner (Instructor).

Four coal miners who had been attached to the QATB as Honorary Members when required for mining accidents, along with six new volunteers made up a team of ten experienced miners to undergo a course of instruction in First Aid and the use of Rescue Apparatus.  This group was called the Miner’s Rescue Brigade.

 The Minister for Mines the Hon J G Appel announced that provision had been made in the Department estimates for the expenditure of 1200 pounds for a building and plant.  By early 1915 a rescue Station was erected on the property of the Ambulance Brigade at North Ipswich. Costs of supplying apparatus, payment of instructor salary, were initially taken up by the Department.  Later it was decided to divide the expenses incurred by the upkeep of the brigade between the Insurance Commissioner, Colliery Proprietors Association and the Mines Department as contributors of one-third each.

In April 1919 the Minister for Mines Hon A J Jones called a special conference to discuss the advisability of reorganization to place the brigade on a better footing. Crown land was available adjoining the railway line at Booval by December 1923 the Instructor’s residence and a new fully equipped Rescue Station had been erected on site and was officially opened by the Minister for Mines, the Hon A J Jones.

The Station was designated the Queensland Mines Rescue Station and was the first fully equipped and Independent Rescue Station formed in Australia.

As the mining industry expanded through the 1930-40 period the rescue activities also expanded.  By April 22nd 1949 the Hon W M Moore MLA Ministerfor Mines officially opened a new and larger station on the rescue reserve.  The station was named “D M Gledson Station” as a tribute to the long and valued service to the brigade by the late Hon D A Gledson MLA.

Ross Llewellyn Motors

Cnr Ross Llewellyn Drive

& 246 Brisbane Road,

Booval QLD 4304

Phone: (07) 3282 2922

Email: web@rlm.com.au

Fax: (07) 3282 6359

Buhse's Motors

5 Spicer Street,

Laidley QLD 4341

Phone: (07) 5411 9999

Email: buhses@rlm.com.au