Nothing warms the cockles of a firey’s heart more than a new piece of firefighting equipment, and that was certainly the case last Sunday morning when Newstead Fire Brigade members celebrated the arrival of their new tanker.
Bendigo West State Member Maree Edwards attended the event and handed over the keys for the vehicle to Brigade Captain Doug Richardson.
l. to r. CFA Acting Assistant Chief Officer Steve Alcock, Newstead Fire Brigade Captain Doug Richardson and Bendigo West State Member Maree Edwards.
Photo: Tarrangower Times
Following the tanker handover, CFA Acting Assistant Chief Officer Steve Alcock handed out medals and certificates. The medals honoured a total of over 1,000 years of service.
Established 80 years ago and with over 60 members, the Newstead Fire Brigade members form an active and hardworking team. Most of those members were present on Sunday for the event, which was followed by a morning tea prepared by the Brigade’s Auxiliary.
The Auxiliary, which has been in operation since 1981, has over the years made mountains of sandwiches and cakes and served thousands of cups of tea. Its latest achievement: it raised $50,000 towards the cost of the tanker – an astonishing effort that was praised by Doug Richardson in his speech. “The Auxiliary, in raising $50,000, has done a mammoth job,” he said. He also acknowledged the State Government’s Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program, which contributed over $292,000 towards the purchase of the truck. “Without their support, we wouldn’t be standing here,” he said.
Maree Edwards also praised the Auxiliary’s fundraising achievements in her handover speech. She also highlighted the new vehicle’s extra safety features. In addition to a 2,000 litre tank, it contains 650 litres of water set aside for crew and vehicle protection sprays in the event of a burnover. It also includes brackets to hold breathing apparatus cylinders as well as a cabin that allows a crew of five to travel safely together.
“The Newstead and District Fire Brigade plays an enormous role in protecting the Victorian community and this new medium tanker is what the Brigade members need and deserve,” Ms Edwards said.
This article appeared in the Tarrangower Times, 20 May 2022.
