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A defining sight of the Good Friday Appeal is the thousands of volunteers standing at traffic lights, in camping grounds and clubs and at many events, shaking the Good Friday Appeal tins as people open their hearts and their wallets to support.
CFA members have supported the Good Friday Appeal since 1951. Over those many years of support, CFA members have raised more than $35 million for the Good Friday Appeal, to support the Royal Children's Hospital with their life saving care for our kids.
In addition to the normal tin shakes and events, many brigades have registered for the Virtual Tin Shake. More than 160 volunteer brigades participated last year, and this year it is expected to grow even larger. Visit https://www.virtualtinshake.com.au/sponsor?kw=CFA and search for your closest brigade with a virtual tin.
We share the following CFA stories that highlight volunteers strong connections and support with the Goof Friday Appeal.
Face of Good Friday becomes honorary CFA member
CFA’s Doreen Fire Brigade has welcomed face of the 2022 Good Friday Appeal, Isla, as an honorary member of the brigade
Isla met with brigade members on Monday, 28 March, for a tour of the fire station and truck to help promote the Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) Good Friday Appeal.
The eight-year-old is in remission after spending half her life in treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Today she met with members of the Doreen Brigade where she was decked out in firefighter gear, had a go using a fire hose and went for a ride in the fire truck.
After Isla’s day with the brigade she promptly turned to her mum and said “I need to come back here every weekend so I can take care of business.”
Isla is back to her bubbly self at school too and dancing to her little heart’s content.
The Appeal also has special significance to CFA Doreen Brigade, as two of Captain Robert Bury’s grandchildren have received life-saving care at the hospital.
Grandson Daniel was diagnosed in vitro with a blockage of the heart in 2001, and Granddaughter Charli was born at 26 weeks gestation, weighing just 740g.
Upon Daniel’s arrival he was immediately transferred to the RCH where he would become one of the first newborns to receive a pacemaker. This saved Daniel’s life.
When Daniel turned 18, he received a new pacemaker in a 10-hour operation.
“Daniel would not be alive today without RCH and their wonderful doctors,” Robert said.
Charli developed Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) and when she became septic was transferred to the RCH. Robert’s wife Carole said that every day was a trial.
“Eventuality after a full 6 months she was well enough to come home. Charli has had several follow ups at RCH and had revision surgery,” Carole said.
“Without the RCH and their wonderful dedicated and caring doctors we would not have these two amazing grandchildren”.
Doreen, along with Epping CFA, will be collecting again this year at the intersection of Cooper and High Streets, Epping. Over the years they have raised a total of $171,000 and this year have set a target of $20,000.
“We run a bit of a competition amongst the rattlers to see who can collect the most from every mode of transport including buses, taxis, ambulances, police cars, fire trucks, motorcycles, horses, and pedestrians”, Robert said.
“At the end of Good Friday we like to escort the collection into the city to meet up with other CFA Brigades whilst we await the final tally of the day’s collection.”
Good Friday Appeal Executive Director, Rebecca Cowan said they’re so grateful to CFA for their continued support of the Good Friday Appeal.
“For 71 years, CFA have been supporting the Good Friday Appeal in raising much needed funds for The Royal Children's Hospital and every year we are inspired by their generous contributions,” Rebecca said.
“So many of our CFA fundraisers have a personal connection to The Royal Children’s Hospital, making the partnership even more significant. We’re grateful to the CFA for all their hard work and support and are incredibly thankful to every Victorian who donates to their local CFA”.
CFA members have supported the Good Friday Appeal since 1951 (71 years), volunteering their time and raising funds for the hospital and have raised more than $35 million. The 2022 Good Friday Appeal will be held on Friday 15 April.
To find out more on how you can donate please visit: https://www.virtualtinshake.com.au/fundraisers/EppingandDoreenFireBrigades/virtual-tin-shake
Knox Group aims high for the kids
CFA’s Knox Group of brigades has a long tradition of raising money for the Good Friday Appeal and this year will be no different.
Over the years the group has just come short of their ultimate goal of reaching $40,000, so this year they are determined to reach that figure.
Knox Group consists of eight fire brigades covering Bayswater, Boronia, Ferntree Gully, Montrose, Rowville, Scoresby, The Basin and Upper Ferntree Gully.
Knox Group CFA Secretary Darryl Cardona said he’s conducted a meeting with the group of brigades, the target has been set, and they’re all on board.
Boronia brigade volunteer Bill Ireland, who has been raising money for the Good Friday Appeal for the past 50 years, said this year he will again be collecting money outside the Boronia Hotel on the corner of Boronia and Dorset roads, as he does every year.
“Collecting money for the Good Friday Appeal gives me a great feeling. My son was a patient at the Royal Children’s Hospital and he endured many operations, so it’s my pleasure to help the hospital and the children out," he said.
It’s not just the adults raising money this year, with the Boronia Juniors actively involved. This year they will undertake a car wash at Fast Fuel Wantirna between 8am and 2pm, with hopes of raising $2,000 on the day.
Boronia brigade Captain Ramon Relph said they have been doing this car washing event for the past six years.
“We feel it gives our Juniors a sense of achievement and involvement when they collect for the RCH." Ramon said.
“As the Captain it makes me proud to see the Juniors give up their public holiday to help others. I have been in the CFA for over 20 years and look forward to Good Friday every year.”
Scoresby Fire Brigade will also be collecting money at BP Eastlink on the Thursday outbound, when half of Melbourne drive to the Mornington Peninsula and again on Good Friday.
The Basin brigade will collect at Burwood Hwy and Dawson St, near the popular 1,000 Steps at Upper Ferntree Gully, and Montrose brigade will be collecting on Canterbury Rd and Mountain Hwy.
Montrose brigade volunteer Eddie Tichelaar said they have local elderly residents walk up to them every year to donate money they have saved throughout the year.
“Many no longer drive and enjoy just coming up and thanking CFA which is very generous,” he said.
Royal Children’s Hospital also has a special place in Eddie’s heart, with his daughter Danielle diagnosed with a congenital heart block four months before she was born.
“For the next 18 years the RCH was a second home for our family,” he said.
CFA members have supported the Good Friday Appeal since 1951, volunteering their time and raising funds for the hospital and have raised more than $35 million. The 2022 Good Friday Appeal will be held on Friday 15 April.
Sebastopol aiming high for the Good Friday Appeal
Sebastopol Brigade is close to hitting a total of $500,000 in money raised for the Royal Children’s Hospital this year.
Sebastopol Fire Brigade volunteers started collecting in 1977 with the driving influence being Lieutenant Bill Faulkhead, who had a child cared for at the Royal Children’s Hospital at the time.
Bill’s son Jarrod was born with Oesophageal Atresia where his throat was not correctly joined to his stomach and was rushed to the Royal Children’s Hospital ICU, where his life was saved.
In the first year, the brigade collected $407. Fast forward to 2022 and Sebastopol has collected a total of $482,569 in the 44 years to date.
Sebastopol Brigade’s 2nd Lieutenant of Training, David Walker said the brigade has a friendly rivalry with the Eureka Group.
“We have a trophy for whoever raises the largest amount of money each year and Sebastopol currently hold that trophy – we intend to win it again this year!” David said.
This year the volunteers will be doing tin collections on the Thursday and on Good Friday, asking local residents to again dig deep.
“We will have members out collecting at the Sebastopol Woolworths and Aldi stores in Albert St Sebastopol, and at Delacombe Woolworths in the Delacombe Town Centre leading up to Good Friday,” he said.
“We will also be running our usual Good Friday roadside collections and collecting at the fire station.”
In the past, Sebastopol has found novel ways to raise money. They have participated in radio auctions where they auctioned off a duck, paintings and a ‘has-been ‘ram.
One year, brigade members were shocked when Dame Edna Everage was in town and Lieutenant Bill Faulkhead turned up in his wife’s ballgown, shower cap and a shawl.
Sebastopol member Bill Cook says it’s a privilege to get up every Good Friday to collect money.
“It’s an absolute honour to raise money for one of the best children’s hospitals in the world,” he said.
“I know many parents who have had children in the Hospital and hearing their stories just eggs us on that little bit extra to support such a worthy cause.”
If Sebastopol hits the $500,000 mark this year, they will produce a celebration shirt recognising the 45th year.
CFA members have supported the Good Friday Appeal since 1951 (71 years), volunteering their time and raising funds for the hospital and have raised more than $35 million. The 2022 Good Friday Appeal will be held on Friday 15 April.
You can donate to Sebastopol’s tally here: https://www.virtualtinshake.com.au/fundraisers/SebastopolCFA/virtual-tin-shake
Moe brigade help raise over $1m for Good Friday Appeal
Moe Fire Brigade volunteers will once again be hitting the streets next weekend to add to the local tally of Good Friday Appeal funds raised.
Over the past 30 years Moe brigade raised money every year for the Royal Children’s Hospital, and to date the volunteers have contributed more than $1m from Moe and Newborough.
For some members it means more to them just rattling their tins.
As a child, Moe brigade’s 2nd Lieutenant Tara Paulsen suffered from croup which triggered severe asthma attacks and she was frequently admitted to the Royal Children’s Hospital. After several visits they discovered that damp air was a trigger, allowing the condition to be treated.
“I’m so fortunate for these amazing doctors that I haven’t required any medication since I was 15,” Tara said.
“I am only here today because of the RCH and I’m not sure I can ever truly put into words how grateful I am.”
This year Tara, along with other members of Moe brigade, will be collecting outside the local McDonald’s roundabout at the corner of the Princes Highway and Lloyd St.
When they’ve finished they will take their collection tins to the Newborough Bowls Club where the coins will be tallied and then added to the town’s overall total.
“The generosity of the community I see every year has helped save the lives of so many children,” Tara said.
Raising money for the Good Friday Appeal has also become a family affair, with Tara’s father John saving all his coins throughout the year and giving them to CFA fundraisers.
“For the past ten years, dad has riden his motorbike from Melbourne to Moe to put the money he’s kept into the CFA volunteers' tins,” Tara said.
CFA members have supported the Good Friday Appeal since 1951 (71 years), volunteering their time and raising funds for the hospital and have raised more than $35 million. The 2022 Good Friday Appeal will be held on Friday 15 April.
Nominations are still open for the Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM) to be awarded as part of the 2023 Australia Day awards.
The AFSM honours the distinguished service of members of fire services, including CFA volunteers who make an exceptionable contribution to their communities. The AFSM recognises those whose service is above and beyond the normal zealous and faithful discharge of normal or ordinary service, either in the short or long term.
CFA volunteers are often modest and reluctant to seek out recognition for the service they have provided to their community and may not have a realistic appreciation of the impact they have had on CFA, their community, within VFBV or your Brigade or Group. They’re not in it for the honour or glory, but it’s up to each of us to ensure we take the time to say ‘thank-you’ to those people who have stepped up and help inspire us all to do better.
If you know a quiet achiever who has contributed to CFA, who goes above and beyond what could be reasonably expected of someone in a similar position, consider nominating them for an AFSM.
The Australian Honours system has been designed to break down artificial barriers and open the Australian Honours to all parts of our society. Any member of the community can nominate any other Australian citizen for an award.
It is also critically important we encourage nominations for groups who are typically under-represented in Australian Honours like the AFSM.
Women in particular are under-represented in AFSM’s awarded when we consider the tens of thousands of women within the fire services across the country. And while things are improving, much more can be done.
There are so many exceptional CFA women and men deserving to be recognised.
Members are encouraged to give some extra thought for those persons who are frequently overlooked for recognition. A common misconception is that only those members who have decades worth of service are recognised by the Honours system. The AFSM is not a long-service award, its sole criterion is distinguished service. And while prolonged service forms part of the key criteria, ‘prolonged’ is considered by the honour and awards committee’s to be taken in context as to what is considered ‘longer than usual’ and in context of what is ‘above and beyond’ the normal or ordinary service expected. For example, has the members contribution been in excess of expectations for a ‘normal’ member and over what duration? The Committee will consider the nature of the service or achievement within the context of a member’s service history when weighing up the various criteria.
This is especially important for women within CFA who may have their service overlooked simply because they haven’t been a Captain or Group Officer for 30 years. While these are important leadership roles – our service is a team environment, and everyone’s contribution is valued.
Nothing should take away from the incredible achievement decade long service is, but the Honours system is designed to recognise those that make a significant contribution, and to represent the things that our communities believe to be deserving of recognition, including from those who are perhaps trailblazers for others to follow. Think of those people who have pushed the boundaries or have been first to reach and hold leadership positions that has been inspirational to those around them. For example, think of members who have overcome additional barriers, like English not being their first language and who have toiled away to learn the language and become masterful communicators designing new innovative community safety engagements to CALD communities and serving as a role model for other community members. Who are the people you look up to? Who are the people who have really made a difference in your Brigade or Group?
Distinguished service includes service that is above and beyond and can be short-term or prolonged. It is service that can be exemplified by; responsibility for an outstanding event that has proven to be of significant benefit to the fire service or community; development of a new system, procedure or technique that is unique and made a significant contribution to the fire service; or outstanding leadership in the encouragement and development of others, particularly youth within the fire services.
While it can seem daunting to nominate a potential recipient, some guiding principles that could assist in completing a nomination for an AFSM are:
- In what role(s) has the nominee excelled?
- How has the nominee demonstrated service worthy of recognition?
- How has the nominee’s contribution affected a particular field, locality, brigade, group or community at large?
- Over what period has the nominee made a major commitment?
- Has the nominee’s contribution been recognised elsewhere?
- What makes this person stand out from others?
- What specific examples can be provided to show how the nominee’s contribution(s) have been outstanding?
Nominations for the 2023 Australia Day awards close on 1st May 2022, all nominations submitted are strictly confidential. The person being nominated should not be approached for information or advised of the confidential nomination at any stage of the process. Self nominations are also not accepted.
CFA calls for applications twice a year for the AFSM, therefore it is also worthwhile considering additional nominations for future awards and to start preparing nominations now in order to be prepared.
CFA Resources
Guide to Preparing Nominations for the Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM)
Want to discuss a potential nomination or need some more information? Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
About the Australian Fire Service Medal
Introduced in 1988, the Australian Fire Service Medal recognised distinguished service by members of Australian fire services and is awarded to both volunteer and paid members. The award recognised the distinguished service by members of a State or Territory Fire Service, a Fire Service of an agency of the Commonwealth, and the Fire Services of the External Territories of Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling Island) and Norfolk Island.
The medal is awarded twice a year as part of the Australia Day award and Queen’s Birthday award announcements.
Criteria for the Australian Fire Service Medal
To be considered for this award it would be expected that the nominee has given service beyond the norm exemplified by:
- Prolonged service distinguished by exceptional performance in a particular area that has proved significant benefit to the fire service; and one or more of the following.
- Responsibility for and management of an outstanding/exceptional event that has proven to be of significant benefit to the fire service, a community or community safety generally.
- Development of a new system, or procedure, or technique that is unique and has made a significant contribution to the fire service, a community or community safety generally.
- Outstanding leadership in the encouragement and development of others, particularly youth, within the fire service and the fostering and furthering of the aims of the fire service to the long-term benefit of the fire service and the community.
- Demonstrated creativity in the development and implementation of innovative changes that have made a significant contribution to the fire service, fire/emergency operations, or the interests of community safety.
Applications should be submitted to your District ACFO by Tuesday 31 May 2022.
Applications are now open for the 2022-23 Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP), with the closing date fast approaching. VFBV has updated its VESEP Help Pack to assist brigades and groups with their VESEP applications.
VESEP provides grants of $2 for every $1 of Brigade or Group funding to assist brigades and groups in acquiring a wide range of additional equipment in recognition of the significant contribution emergency service volunteers provide in supporting Victorian communities.
Now in its 22nd year, VESEP first started out as the Community Safety Emergency Support Program in 2000 and was designed in close consultation with VFBV and volunteers, with the intent being a grants program designed by volunteers with minimal administration required from volunteers.
Since 2000, the program has funded over 2000 projects totalling more than $150 million dollars, as a investment in maintaining and building volunteer capability by supporting volunteers through grants in five categories:
- Volunteer amenities under $5,000
- Minor works under $120,000^
- Operational Equipment
- Specialist Appliances and Field Command Vehicles
- Tankers*
^all minor works applications must be registered with the VESEP Land & Buildings Project Manager via email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by 17 May 2022. Applications not pre-registered for review will not be considered by the Steering Committee.
*as with previous years, CFA have advised that additions to the fleet will be afforded a low priority with only exceptional circumstances being considered by the Chief Officer. An Addition to the Fire Fighting Fleet form will be required to be completed and approved by the District ACFO and Regional DCO.
VFBV’s VESEP Application Help Pack is again available in 2022 to assist Brigades and Groups in completing their application, with the pack divided into easily downloadable sections at the bottom of this page.
| VFBV VESEP Help Pack |
Contains general information about VESEP and some handy hints on how to complete your application. |
| Attachment 1 |
Application forms for Special Access Grant The Special Access Grant can reduce or in some cases eliminate all together the Brigade/Group contribution. |
| Attachment 2 |
CFA VESEP Guidelines The guidelines outline criteria, aims and requirements that Brigades/Groups need to consider for their application to be completed. The Guidelines have been updated in 2022. |
| Attachment 3 |
CFA Application Forms Provides Brigades and Groups with application forms for Part A: Vehicles and Operational Equipment, Part B: Volunteer Amenities and Minor Works, Addition to the Fire Fighting Appliance Fleet Operational Justification and FCV Vehicle Weight Proforma. |
| Appendix |
CFA Information Sheets Collates all information sheets produced by CFA to assist with Brigade and Group applications and ideas. |
Key Dates
17 May 2022: Brigades/Groups applying for a grant for Minor Works, applications must be pre-registered with the VESEP Minor Works Project Manager, Land and Buildings Services via email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
31 May 2022: Applications close, and should be submitted by this date to your District AFCO using the CFA application forms.
1 June - 13 June 2022: DPC meetings held to review and endorse applications.
September 2022: Anticipated Ministers announcement of successful projects.
Additional Support
If you need any assistance with you Application please contact your local VFBV State Councillor, VFBV Support Officer of the VFBV Office. You can also email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
If you would like a printed copy of the VFBV 2022 VESEP Application Help Pack please call the VFBV office on 03 9886 1141 and we will post one out.
VFBV wishes all CFA Brigades and Groups well with your applications and thank you for your untiring service to Victoria!
VFBV is looking for an enthusiastic Administration Support Officer to join our small dedicated team supporting the peak body work of the Association in representing CFA volunteers to CFA, Government, business and instrumentalities.
Based at our Burwood office, and under the direction of the Administration Officer you will provide administrative, reception and office support across all business support activities and in many instances be the first point of contact to members, stakeholders and the public.
We are searching for an enthusiastic team player with initiative and “can do” attitude who possesses:
- Solid computer skills including Microsoft Word, Outlook and Excel
- Professional and friendly communication skills and good phone manner
- Ability to work independently when given a task
- A high level of attention to detail
- Pro active with a genuine willingness to learn
- Entry level understanding of administrative functions
Drivers licence is essential. A Police and Working with Children Check will also be required for the successful candidate.
Previous experience in a similar role is an advantage, but training will be provided for the right person possessing enthusiasm and good worth ethic.
The position is full time and ongoing, with some weekend and after hours required to suit a fully volunteer membership.
Prior to applying you should familiarise yourself with the Position Description which is available from the VFBV office or for download at the bottom of this page.
How to apply
All applications must include:
- a current resume
- a cover letter addressing the key selection criteria outlined in the position description
Send applications to the attention of Cathie Smith, VFBV 9/24 Lakeside Drive, Burwood East 3151 or via email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Applications close Sunday 15 May 2022
Any questions or queries re the application process should be directed to Cathie Smith at the VFBV office on (03) 9886 1141 or via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Final results for the 2022 State Urban Senior Championships held in Mooroopna on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 March 2022 are now available.
The results are available for download at the bottom of this page.
Team times for all events have been posted on VFBV's dedicated Championships Facebook Page.
Grand Aggregate Winner - Melton A
B Section Aggregate Winner - Werribee
Final Aggregate Results:
Final results for the 2022 State Rural Junior Championships held in Mooroopna on Sunday 27 March 2022 are now available.
The results are available for download at the bottom of this page.
Presentation photos and times for all events will be posted on VFBV's dedicated Championships Facebook Page.
Results for all events are also available for download at the bottom of this page.
Final results for the 2022 State Rural Senior Championships held in Mooroopna on Saturday 26 March 2022 are now available.
The results are available for download at the bottom of this page.
Presentation photos and times for all events will be posted on VFBV's dedicated Championships Facebook Page.
Results for all events are available to view here.
The 2022 State Urban Senior Championship and the State Rural Senior and Junior Championships will be held this coming Saturday and Sunday, 26 and 27 March 2022 at the Mooroopna Recreation Reserve, Midland Highway, Mooroopna.
For the second year in a row the Urban Senior and Rural State Championships will be held on the same weekend, at the same venue on their own competition tracks. Competing across the two days will be 32 junior teams and 78 senior teams including Harvey who are making the trip across from Western Australia to compete in the Urban Senior State Championship.
The Championships will commence with an opening ceremony on Saturday morning at 8:20am, before competition begins on each competition track from 9am.
The 2022 State Championships will also see the return of the Torchlight Procession for the first time since 2019. The Torchlight Procession will be held around Victoria Park Lake in Shepparton on the evening of Saturday 26 March beginning from 8:30pm.
Sunday mornings events will commence at 8:30am on each track.
Results from the Championship will be progressively posted over the weekend on VFBV’s dedicated Championships Facebook Page.
Teams competing in the Urban Senior State Championship:
| A Section | B Section |
| Dandenong | Cohuna |
| Drouin/Bunyip | Creswcik |
| Eaglehawk | Echuca |
| Harvey – Western Australia | Euroa |
| Melton A | Hallam |
| Mildura | Hoppers Crossing |
| Morwell | Horsham |
| Osborne Park A | Kangaroo Flat |
| Patterson River | Kerang |
| Sale | Knox Group |
| Wendouree | Kyneton |
| Maffra | |
| Melton B | |
| Mooroopna | |
| Osborne Park B | |
| Pakenham/Narre Warren A | |
| Pakenham/Narre Warren B | |
| Queenscliff | |
| Seymour | |
| Swan Hill | |
| Tatura | |
| Warracknabeal | |
| Warrnambool | |
| Whittlesea | |
| Werribee |
Teams competing in the Rural State Championship:
Seniors:
| Division 1 | Division 2 | Division 3 |
| Beazley's Bridge A | Chiltern A | Bethanga/Talgarno A |
| Beazley's Bridge B | Doreen A | Dunolly A |
| Connewarre A | Dunrobin/Nangeela C | Elaine A |
| Connewarre B | Eldorado | Eldorado C |
| Dunrobin/Nangeela A | Eltham A | Hurstbridge E |
| Dunrobin/Nangeela B | Gapsted A | Leopold B |
| Eldorado A | Hurstbridge C | Mannerim A |
| Hurstbridge A | Hurstbridge D | Miners Rest A |
| Hurstbridge B | Rutherglen A | Miners Rest B |
| Leopold A | Springhurst C | Springhurst B |
| Mandurang A | Swan Hill A | Springhurst D |
| Sedgwick A | Truganina A | Strathmerton A |
| Sedgwick B | Wallington A | Strathmerton B |
| Springhurst A | Yarroweyah A | |
| Torquay A |
Juniors
| Ascot & District A | Gapsted A |
| Ascot & District B | Mandurang A |
| Beazley's Bridge A | Mannerim A |
| Beazley's Bridge B | Miners Rest A |
| Bethanga/Talgarno A | Miners Rest B |
| Connewarre A | Napoleons-Enfield A |
| Doreen A | Pearcedale A |
| Dunolly A | Springhurst A |
| Dunrobin/Nangeela A | Springhurst B |
| Dunrobin/Nangeela B | Strathmerton A |
| Elaine A | Truganina A |
| Eldorado A | Truganina B |
| Eldorado B |
Final results for the 2022 State Urban Junior Championships held in Mooroopna on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 March 2022 are now available.
The results are listed below and are also available for download at the bottom of this page.
Presentation photos and times for all events have been posted on VFBV's dedicated Championships Facebook Page.
RESULTS – Saturday 19 March
Event 1 Hydrant – One Competitor, Under 14 Years
|
1st |
MELTON A: Bayllie Arandt |
11.09 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
EUROA: Addison Godsmark |
11.87 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
MAFFRA: Kobe Parsons |
11.93 |
seconds |
|
4th |
SWAN HILL: Chloe Howard |
12.26 |
seconds |
|
5th |
RED CLIFFS: Darcy Roden |
12.36 |
seconds |
Event 2 Y Coupling – Two Competitors, Under 17 Years
|
1st |
MELTON A: Manaia Robinson, Ben Geysing |
11.21 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
GROVEDALE: Aiden Couzins, Thomas Evans |
12.63 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
MAFFRA: Gemma McKenzie, Jayde Parsons |
13.02 |
seconds |
|
4th |
MELTON B: Devante Johns, Brodie Leitch, Elektra Robinson, Ebony Falzon |
13.21 |
seconds |
|
5th |
MELTON C: Ryan Stone, Tia Stone, Kenlou Williams, Jesse Arandt |
13.22 |
seconds |
Event 3 Wet Hose Striking Second Disc – Four Competitors, Under 14 Years
|
1st |
MELTON A: Leah Steele, Bayllie Arandt, Jyce Pasco, Alexis Johnston |
20.14 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
KANGAROO FLAT A: Katrina O’Neill, Lucy Gilbee, Bobbl, Fansham, Mikaila Pettersen |
20.79 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
MELTON B: Mikaylah Crawford, Lilly Leitch, Charlotte Crawford, Tyler Goudie |
21.05 |
seconds |
|
4th |
WARRACKNABEAL A: Hayden Polack, Milly Jonasson, Kiara Cooksley, Elize Williamson |
21.35 |
seconds |
|
5th |
EURORA: Matilda Kubeil, Addison Godsmark, Kobee Mann, Charlotte Davies |
21.42 |
seconds |
Event 4 Y Coupling – Four Competitors, Under 17 Years
|
1st |
MELTON A: Manaia Robinson, Ben Geysing, Lorelei Geysing, Jamie Millington |
9.47 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
MELTON B: Devante Johns, Brodie Leitch, Elektra Robinson, Ebony Falzon |
9.94 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
KANGAROO FLAT B: Aaron Melis, Jed Lowndes, Zac Dickson, Will Dieckmann |
10.00 |
seconds |
|
4th |
GROVEDALE: Jaxon Winsall, Aiden Couzens, Thomas Evans, Matthew Evans |
10.01 |
seconds |
|
5th |
KYNETON: Sam Foster, Royce Sharp, Luke Stanley, Hanna Nicolas |
10.11 |
seconds |
Event 5 Wet Hose Striking 1st & 2nd Discs – Four Competitors, Under 17 Years
|
1st |
MELTON A: Manaia Robinson, Ben Geysing, Lorelei Geysing, Jamie Millington |
19.74 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
KANGAROO FLAT A: Aaron Melis, Jed Lowndes, Zac Dixon, Will Dieckmann |
19.78 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
MELTON C: Ryan Stone, Tia Stone, Kenlou Willliams, Jesse Arandt |
20.40 |
seconds |
|
4th |
KANGAROO FLAT B: Zhoe Sutton, Dylan Gilbee, Oliver Lowndes, Lewis Bunton |
21.01 |
seconds |
|
5th |
MELTON B: Devante Johns, Brodie Leitch, Elektra Robinson, Ebony Falzon |
21.41 |
seconds |
Event 6 Marshall – One Competitor, Under 14 Years
|
1st |
KANGAROO FLAT A: Lucy Gilbee |
34.25 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
MELTON A: Bayllie Arandt |
38.06 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
MILDURA: Tay Oliver |
38.83 |
seconds |
|
4th |
EUROA: Addison Godsmark |
39.10 |
seconds |
|
5th |
SWAN HILL A: Ellah Haywood |
39.30 |
seconds |
Event 7 Wet Hose Striking 1st & 2nd Discs – Four Competitors, Under 14 Years
|
1st |
MELTON A: Leah Steele, Bayllie Arandt, Jyce Pasco, Alexis Johnston |
21.99 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
SWAN HILL: Enya Scott, Mitchell Scott, Chloe Howard, Ellah Haywood |
24.91 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
WARRACKNABEAL A: Hayden Polack, Milly Jonasson, Kiara Cooksley, Eliza Williamson |
25.45 |
seconds |
|
4th |
KANGAROO FLAT A: Katrina O’Neill, Lucy Gilbee, Isabella Osborn, Mikaila Petterson |
25.81 |
seconds |
|
5th |
MELTON C: Kade Millington, Ryder Millington, Poppy Arandt, Borrowed Competitor |
26.93 |
seconds |
Event 8 Marshall – One Competitor, Under 17 Years
|
1st |
MELTON A: Ben Geysing |
26.38 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
GROVEDALE: Thomas Evans |
27.21 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
WANGARATTA: Jack Walton |
29.94 |
seconds |
|
4th |
HORSHAM: Arjai Johnston |
30.75 |
seconds |
|
5th |
KYNETON: Nicolas Hanna |
32.09 |
seconds |
Event 9 Wet Hose – Two Competitors, Under 17 Years
|
1st |
MELTON A: Manaia Robinson, Ben Geysing |
10.56 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
MELTON B: Devante Johns, Brodie Leitch |
10.83 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
GROVEDALE: Jaxon Winsall, Aiden Couzens |
11.49 |
seconds |
|
4th |
KANGAROO FLAT A: Aaron Melis, Jed Lowndes |
11.61 |
seconds |
|
5th |
COLAC: Christopher Slingsby, Heath Bircanin-Suiter |
12.11 |
seconds |
Event 10 Marshall – Two Competitors, Under 14 Years
|
1st |
SALE: Daniel King, Ruth King |
19.69 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
SWAN HILL A: Chloe Howard, Ellah Haywood |
21.18 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
EUORA: Matilda Kubeil, Addison Godsmark |
22.20 |
seconds |
|
4th |
MAFFRA: Kobe Parsons, Tyler Schoenmaekers |
24.13 |
seconds |
|
5th |
WARRACKNABEAL B: Hayden Polack, Kiara Cooksley |
25.65 |
seconds |
Event 11 Wet Hose – Two Competitors, Under 14 Years
|
1st |
MELTON A: Leah Steele, Bayllie Arandt |
12.92 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
EUROA: Matilda Kubeil, Addison Godsmark |
13.54 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
SALE: Daniel King, Ruth King |
13.64 |
seconds |
|
4th |
KANGAROO FLAT A: Katrina O’Neill, Lucy Gilbee |
13.75 |
seconds |
|
5th |
MILDURA: Tay Oliver, Alissa Ovenden |
15.04 |
seconds |
RESULTS – Sunday 20th March
Event 12 Hydrant – One Competitor, Under 17 Years
|
1st |
KANGAROO FLAT A: Aaron Melis |
12.92 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
MELTON B: Devante Johns |
12.98 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
MELTON A: Ben Geysing |
13.32 |
seconds |
|
4th |
COLAC: Heath Bircanin-Suiter |
13.58 |
seconds |
|
5th |
GROVEDALE: Jaxon Winsall |
13.92 |
seconds |
Event 13 Y Coupling – Two Competitors, Under 14 Years
|
1st |
MELTON A: Leah Steele, Bayllie Arandt |
13.39 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
SWAN HILL: Chloe Howard, Ellah Haywood |
14.60 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
KANGAROO FLAT A: Katrina O’Neill, Lucy Gilbee |
15.28 |
seconds |
|
4th |
WARRACKNABEAL A: Hayden Polack, Eliza Williamson |
15.75 |
seconds |
|
5th |
MAFFRA: Kobe Parsons, Tyler Schoenmaekers |
16.38 |
seconds |
Event 14 Y Coupling – Two Competitors, Under 17 Years
|
1st |
KANGAROO FLAT A: Aaron Melis, Jed Lowndes, Zac Dixon, Will Dieckmann |
16.62 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
GROVEDALE: Jaxon Winsall, Aiden Couzens, Thomas Evans, Matthew Evans |
16.98 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
KYNETON: Royce Sharpe, Luke Stanley, Spencer Zan, Nicolas Hanna |
17.69 |
seconds |
|
4th |
KANGAROO FLAT B: Zhoe Sutton, Dylan Gilbee, Oliver Lowndes, Lewis Bunton |
17.93 |
seconds |
|
5th |
MELTON A: Manaia Robinson, Ben Geysing, Lorelei Geysing, Jamie Millington |
18.47 |
seconds |
Event 15 Y Coupling – Four Competitors, Under 14 Years
|
1st |
SALE: Daniel King, Izac Thexton, Ethan Monck, Ruth King |
10.56 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
SWAN HILL/WERRIBEE: Ellah Robinson-Burman, Catherine Morpeth, Noah Carver, Gaayuki Padukkage |
11.83 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
MELTON C: Kade Millington, Ryder Millington, Poppy Arandt, Borrowed Competitor |
12.69 |
seconds |
|
4th |
WARRACKNABEAL B: Zander Jonasson, Maddison Bentley, Logan Mansfield, Hailey Bentley |
12.89 |
seconds |
|
5th |
ROWVILLE: Madison Lam, Annabelle Radford, Brenton Radford, Borrowed Competitor |
13.03 |
seconds |
Event 16 Wet Hose Striking One Disc Twice – Four Competitors, Under 14 Years
|
1st |
MELTON A: Leah Steele, Bayllie Arandt, Jyce Pasco, Alexis Johnston |
18.33 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
MELTON B: Mikaylah Crawford, Charlotte Crawford, Lilly Leitch, Tyler Goudie |
19.18 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
WARRACKNABEAL A: Hayden Polack, Milly Jonasson, Kiara Cooksley, Eliza Williamson |
19.73 |
seconds |
|
4th |
MELTON C: Kade Millington, Ryder Millington, Poppy Arandt, Borrowed Competitor |
20.42 |
seconds |
|
5th |
ROWVILLE: Madison Lam, Annabelle Radford, Brenton Radford, Borrowed Competitor |
21.67 |
seconds |
Event 17 Marshall – Two Competitors, Under 17 Years
|
1st |
GROVEDALE: Jaxon Winsall, Thomas Evans |
16.25 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
KANGAROO FLAT A: Aaron Melis, Jed Lowndes |
17.96 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
TRARALGON: Brody Eenjes, Lucas Taylor |
18.42 |
seconds |
|
4th |
WARRACKNABEAL A: Cody Polack, Rohan Richards |
18.50 |
seconds |
|
5th |
MELTON B: Manaia Robinson, Ben Geysing |
18.96 |
seconds |
Event 18 Wet Hose Striking One Disc Twice – Four Competitors, Under 17 Years
|
1st |
KYNETON: Sam Foster, Royce Sharp, Spencer Zan, Nicolas Hanna |
14.89 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
GROVEDALE: Jaxon Winsall, Aiden Couzens, Thomas Evans, Matthew Evans |
15.96 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
WARRACKNABEAL A: Cody Polack, Rohan Richards, Isabella Orsulak, Declan Whelan |
15.98 |
seconds |
|
4th |
BAIRNSDALE: Cooper Howell, Ethan Pitt, Andrew Chapman, Bryce Lawford, Raymond Garro |
16.35 |
seconds |
|
5th |
KANGAROO FLAT B: Zhoe Sutton, Dylan Gilbee, Oliver Lowndes, Lewis Bunton |
16.42 |
seconds |
FINAL AGGREGATE RESULTS
DRY AGGREGATE:
|
1st |
MELTON A |
48 |
Points |
|
2nd |
KANGAROO FLAT A |
24 |
Points |
|
3rd |
GROVEDALE |
21 |
Points |
WET AGGREGATE
|
1st |
MELTON A |
49 |
Points |
|
2nd |
KANGAROO FLAT A |
24 |
Points |
|
3rd |
MELTON B |
14 |
Points |
UNDER 14 YEARS AGGREGATE
|
1st |
MELTON A |
53 |
Points |
|
2nd |
KANGAROO FLAT A |
20 |
Points |
|
3rd |
SALE |
19 |
Points |
UNDER 17 YEARS AGGREGATE
|
1st |
MELTON A |
44 |
Points |
|
2nd |
GROVEDALE |
34 |
Points |
|
3rd |
KANGAROO FLAT A |
28 |
Points |
GRAND AGGREGATE
|
1st |
MELTON A |
97 |
Points |
|
2nd |
KANGAROO FLAT A |
48 |
Points |
|
3rd |
GROVEDALE |
34 |
Points |
2022 - Champion Team – MELTON A:
Coaches Anthony Rhodes, Bailey Rhodes and Ashely Goudie, and competitors:
- Bayllie Arandt
- Ben Geysing
- Lorelei Geysing
- Alexis Johnston
- Jyce Pasco
- Jamie Millington
- Manaia Robinson
- Leah Steele
The final Aggregate Board is below:
We have been celebrating International Women’s Day by sharing stories highlighting the contribution that women make to CFA, not just on International Women’s Day but every day of the year. CFA have also been highlighting stories throughout the week.
Head on over to CFA News and Media to read the stories published highlighting the contribution of women in CFA.
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About VFBV: VFBV is established under the Country Fire Authority Act and is the peak body for CFA Volunteers in Victoria. VFBV works tirelessly to represent, advocate and support CFA volunteers to the CFA Board and management, governments, ministers, members of parliament, councils, instrumentalities, business and the public. Our vision is for Strong Volunteerism, Embraced to Build Community Resilience for a Safer Victoria. |
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This article is part of our series celebrating women in CFA for International Women's Day. |
More...
Leading the next generation of CFA volunteers has come naturally to 20-year-old Colac firefighter Caitlin Willsher, who has climbed the ranks through the Junior program to now take the reins as Junior leader.
Caitlin (pictured above as a senior firefighter and a Junior competitor) followed in the footsteps of her father and older brother, who were members of the brigade, when she joined as a Junior member at the age of 12.
“The Junior team was struggling when I first joined, we just didn’t have many numbers there,” Caitlin said.
“I’m glad I got to give it a go as a Junior. I really enjoyed it and was particularly competitive with my brother who was also a member.
“It provided a great environment for me to make friends and socialise with other members too. Since then we’ve been able to get the membership up and have built a really strong Junior group.”
She applied to be a senior member when she turned 16 years old and officially started as a Junior leader in 2018.
“I didn’t want to leave the group and knowing this the coach asked if I wanted to help out as a Junior leader,” she said.
“My role is to discuss with the coach and other leaders how we can improve as a group, as well as organising events, competitions and social nights.
“I took on the role because I like to see the kids happy and enjoying what they’re doing. Every time they win something, when they place or when they give something a go, I just really like seeing that.”
Caitlin has been an active member of the brigade, especially over the last summer season.
“I got the opportunity to be deployed to the New South Wales bushfires last year,” she said.
“It was nerve-racking but I loved it. I was able to meet so many new people and learn a range of new skills from them and was eager to bring them back to the brigade.”
The Colac Fire Brigade Junior Program has grown a lot since Caitlin first joined eight years ago, with 12 committed young members now participating.
“A strong social aspect has helped grow our Junior group. One person would give it a go and then ask their friends to come along and we also have a few family members involved as well,” Caitlin said.
“When they first join they are quite shy, but it’s great to work with them to build their confidence and watch them come into their own and now they all work so well together.
“The program is great not for socialise reasons, but we also help them with their training, building a range of skills and helping them get involved in their community in a bit of a different way through CFA.”
Caitlin hopes to continue to work as a Junior leader at the brigade for the foreseeable future.
“I love helping our Junior members where I can and want to remain a Junior leader going forward,” she said.
“I’m very keen to stick with the brigade and continue to grow in my firefighting role as well.”
This article has been republished from CFA’s Brigade Magazine.
|
About VFBV: VFBV is established under the Country Fire Authority Act and is the peak body for CFA Volunteers in Victoria. VFBV works tirelessly to represent, advocate and support CFA volunteers to the CFA Board and management, governments, ministers, members of parliament, councils, instrumentalities, business and the public. Our vision is for Strong Volunteerism, Embraced to Build Community Resilience for a Safer Victoria. |
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This article is part of our series celebrating women in CFA for International Women's Day. |
Jacinta Savory defies the traditional notion that younger Australians don’t volunteer. At 22, she is a committed volunteer firefighter with the Werribee CFA brigade.
With International Women’s Day just round the corner on Sunday 8 March 2020, we sat down with Jacinta to hear her thoughts on what it’s like to be a younger woman volunteering with the CFA.
“It’s actually not uncommon to jump on a truck and find most of the crew are in their mid-twenties,” Jacinta says. "That said our older firefighters are an inspiration, I get on really well with them as well. There’s no us against them mentality at all - whether men or women, young or old - when we jump on the truck, we’re all in it together.”
Jacinta has been a member of the Werribee CFA for four years, first joining because her older brother did, and she thought it was a good place to hang out with friends and like-minded people.
“It’s interesting - when I first joined Werribee we had six females, today there are around 15. It’s great to see women taking a larger role operationally. The CFA is not gender specific at all,” Jacinta says.
When asked what the biggest challenges she faced were, Jacinta talked about her first house fire.
“That I think was the moment that could’ve been overwhelming. But you feel so supported by your fellow members, you’re trained, you trust everyone who is there around you.”
Her early experience in firefighting has also led to a career in emergency services - today Jacinta is a serving member of Victoria Police. So why the emergency services?
“I love working with people, helping people, making a difference. But I get something out of it too. As you can see, it has helped inspire me to move into emergency services work.”
Today Jacinta is completing rescue training with the CFA to broaden her skills, and work more closely with first responders' such as paramedics.
But one of her favourite activities with the CFA, and one she annually requests work off for on Christmas Eve, remains the annual Werribee fire brigade ‘Santa Run’.
“It’s a bit cheesy I know, but it really is my favourite time of year. It’s a time of celebration for the brigade, to look back at what we have done throughout the year, to see the kids in the community. I love it.”
This article has been republished from CFA's Brigade Magazine.
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About VFBV: VFBV is established under the Country Fire Authority Act and is the peak body for CFA Volunteers in Victoria. VFBV works tirelessly to represent, advocate and support CFA volunteers to the CFA Board and management, governments, ministers, members of parliament, councils, instrumentalities, business and the public. Our vision is for Strong Volunteerism, Embraced to Build Community Resilience for a Safer Victoria. |
|
This article is part of our series celebrating women in CFA for International Women's Day. |
VFBV is seeking to appoint a VFBV Support Officer to work in regional Victoria with VFBV District Councils, Brigades and volunteers to facilitate consultation, issues resolution and volunteer engagement.
The position is a State role, with emphasis and focus on providing support throughout CFA’s West region (CFA Districts 15, 16, and 17).
This is an existing position, with the incumbent transferring to a different Region.
In addition to relevant skills and experience, candidates will need to understand CFA and volunteerism, be good listeners; be able to facilitate good consultation; ability to establish productive networks; navigate through complex issues resolution; be self-starters and have a passion to improve arrangements that benefit the welfare and efficiency of CFA volunteers.
Extensive regional Victorian work travel is envisaged and flexible work base locations will be considered for the position, with the priority focus to assign a work location within the CFA North West Region.
Flexible working arrangements, to cater for extensive evening and weekend work, will be tailored to match the needs of our volunteer membership base.
This is a full time position.
Prior to applying you should familiarise yourself with the Position Description which is available from the VFBV office or for download at the bottom of this page.
How to apply
All applications must include:
- a current resume
- a cover letter addressing the key selection criteria outlined in the position description (including samples of previous written communications).
Send applications to the attention of the CEO, VFBV, 9/24 Lakeside Drive, Burwood East 3151 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Applications close Tuesday 12th April 2022.
Any questions or queries re the application process should be directed to Cathie Smith from the VFBV Office on (03) 9886 1141 or via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Any interested applicants to the VFBV Support Officer position, are also encouraged to speak to one of our existing VFBV Support Officers and/or State Councillor's who would be more than happy to give members a sense of the role.
Taking the lead
By Adam Barnett, VFBV Chief Executive Officer
On March 8, we celebrated International Women’s Day, with this year’s campaign theme being #BreakTheBias.
You may have seen the campaign imagery showing people forming a cross with their hands to signify solidarity and encourage people to think about deliberate or unconscious bias that makes it difficult for women to move ahead.
International Women’s Day grew out of the labour movement of the early 20th century. In 1908, 15,000 women took to the streets of New York protesting for shorter hours, better pay and voting rights.
The creation of an International Women’s Day was first suggested by Clara Zetkin in 1910 at the International Conference of Working Women in Copenhagen. Clara was a communist activist and advocate for women’s rights. She had no fixed date in mind.
Her campaign reverberated across the America’s and Europe with similar protests and marches across the world. More than a million people in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland protested for the right to vote and to hold public office.
The first celebration of the day followed this ground swell the following year in 1911.
But it wasn’t until a wartime strike in 1917, when Russian women demanded “bread and peace” that prompted 90,000 Russian workers to strike on March 8th that then led the army stationed in St Petersburg to rebel. So significant, this movement led Tsar Nicholas II to abdicate the Russian throne. The provisional government that replaced him granted women the right to vote, and hence why March 8th (the first day of the strike) was chosen to become the day International Women’s Day is celebrated, adjusting for the Gregorian calendar.
As regular readers would know, I believe strongly that history informs and provides critical context for many of today’s problems. Knowledge and study of the past allows us to ask deeper questions. It provides a unique perspective to examine modern problems.
Just think about the timeline above for a moment, and reflect on how recent it was that women actually had to campaign across the world just for the right to vote and hold public office.
And for those that think Australia was ahead of so many others across the world, Victoria provides us a very interesting case study of why perhaps gender equality has been illusive.
While South Australia was the first Australian territory to grant universal suffrage in 1894, it was in fact Victoria that accidentally allowed women to vote in a State election 31 years beforehand. In what is described as “faulty legislative drafting”, the Victorian Electoral Act of 1863 granted all ratepayers listed on local municipal rolls the right to vote. The reason this was described as “faulty” was that Parliament hadn’t intended this outcome and had overlooked local government legislation that had permitted women to be added to the municipal rolls of local government elections. In the following general election of 1864, Victorian women then proceeded to use their right as created by the new Act.
So affronted and embarrassed by this oversight, the Victorian Legislative Assembly (lower house) hastily amended the Act in 1865 to fix the ‘error’, and again restrict voting to only male ratepayers.
Despite 19 private members’ bill from 1889 onwards, it wouldn’t be for another 43 years that the Victorian Parliament in 1908 finally granted the right of women to vote, with Victoria being the last Australian State to legislate. Arguments against the new legislation sighted the dangers of “introducing biological weakness and feminine attitudes into public life.”
It would take another 22 years for Lady Millie Peacock to become the first female women elected to the Parliament of Victoria in 1933.
Why is this important?
Think about how long it takes for things to change. Even small things take time, so think about big changes, and changes that may not be so obvious, such as bias or social inequity. Expecting changes like gender equality to be magically fixed within one generation when the mistreatment of women is centuries old would be fool hardy. International Women’s Day is a recognition that we have to work hard to dismantle bias and barriers that have existed across our societies for thousands of years.
The challenge for all of us is how to use the day to move past tokenistic support and use it to prompt and encourage long lasting change.
And this is where you come in.
I’d like to invite members to reflect and ponder on how each of us can work together to forge inclusive brigade cultures where women are not only welcomed but thrive. A culture that supports women and moves from a culture that simply tolerates diversity to one that embraces the opportunities it presents to our sector and celebrates the changes we make, without feeling resentful or jealous of the arrangements that seek to address past injustices.
To those brigades and leaders that have already done it, congratulations and well done. You are the inspiration and guiding light for others to follow.
Interestingly, our annual volunteer survey asks members the question “There are no barriers to the roles women can occupy in my brigade.” Consistently, this is one of the best performing indicators, with performance meeting expectations every year since the survey began ten years ago.
However, when you extract the male responses from the data, women consistently score this question worse than their male peers.
When we drill down to the differences and I discuss these issues with volunteers, it is clear that men often use a different interpretation of what they deem as a “barrier”. Many point to the fact that anyone can join the brigade, anyone can get on the truck and anyone can stand for an officer position, and therefore reach the conclusion that there are no barriers.
It is not until you start unpicking some of that and start to think about how confronting it must be for a woman to join an overwhelming male organisation, how hard it is to fit in sometimes when you can’t relate to the culture or social connections formed over decades of service and how hard it must be to feel like you represent your entire gender every time you attend training or sit an assessment and feel like you have to prove everyone wrong, with any mistake made out to feel like a blemish on your entire gender.
How about the fact that Government’s chronic asset underfunding of CFA leaves volunteers having to tin shake just to try and save up for improvements to their tinshed stations just to provide simple privacy for members to change in when dressing for a fire call.
Consider also that even today in 2022, CFA generally only issue one size gas suit and one size splash suit for chemical and hazardous material incidents. That’s fine if you’re six feet tall and size 10 feet. But what about everyone else?
In encouraging news, and after many years of VFBV advocacy through our committee structures, CFA has recently agreed to start trailing disposable splash suits that will be issued in multiple sizes. A great achievement for sure, but just an example that not all barriers are easily seen or identified.
Back in 2015, the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) supported “The Women in Fire and Emergency Leadership Role” research project into identifying the barriers for women to working in fire and emergency roles. To this day it remains instructive reading.
But it’s not all doom and gloom. It is obvious that today’s fire services are more open than they have ever been and are working hard at addressing barriers. CFA enjoys one of the highest rates of operational female fire fighters across the State, but we must also acknowledge the sector starts from a low base. I am constantly inspired by stories of brigades that have been trail blazers in building welcoming and supportive approaches to building a brigade they and their members are exceptionally proud of. We should use International Women’s Day to celebrate these kind of success stories as well.
Our annual State Championships are just one window to the growing diversity, with the junior events in particular showing the huge inroads in gender diversity which will flow into senior ranks over the next little while.
I also want to acknowledge the many of you who feel that these discussions can be a minefield in themselves, and often stir up a broad diversity of views and opinions from all genders. Often, well intended comments and initiatives can easily come across as patronising or disempowering. Keep in mind how incredibly offensive it can be to think that every person of one gender must all think the same and want the same things. That’s why these conversations need to be respectful and reflective. They are deeper than a slogan, or a 280 character social media missive.
And just because these issues are hard and complex doesn’t mean we shouldn’t keep having the conversations. It just means we should come to them with an open mind, a generosity of spirit, be prepared to learn from them, be open to changing our minds, and be sensitive to the fact that there are not always one size fits all answers or solutions.
If anyone can do these things, you can. Volunteers have forged and led much of the sectors progress. If history is any guide, our future is in safe hands. Your hands. So keep at it.
2022 Championships
The 2022 State Championships will be held this month on consecutive weekends at Mooroopna Recreation Reserve in Mooroopna.
The Urban Junior State Championship will be held first on the weekend of 19-20 March, with 37 teams entered to compete in 18 events over the two days. It is estimated that approximately 300 junior competitors will be attending, along with their brigade supporters, families, friends and members of the community.
On the weekend of 26 and 27 the Urban Senior Championship and the Rural Senior & Junior Championships will be held for the second time at the same venue on the same weekend.
Competing across the two days will be 32 Junior teams and 78 Senior teams, including Harvey who are making the trip across from Western Australia for the Championship.
The evening of Saturday 26 March will also see the return of the Torchlight Procession, with CFA brigades marching around Victoria Park Lake in Shepparton. The Torchlight Procession hasn’t been held since 2019 due to COVID and it will make its return this year in an impressive display of CFA to the community.
Any Brigade not competing at the State Championship events, are invited to also participate in the Torchlight Procession either as participants or spectators. Any brigade wishing to participate should contact Peter Davis This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 0458 933 797 asap.
Thanks
Thank you to all members who completed this year’s VFBV Volunteer Welfare and Efficiency Survey.
As soon as we have finished compiling and analysing your responses, we will publish the results.
Presumptive Legislation – District Mechanical Officers
VFBV welcomes the introduction of eligibility for CFA District Mechanical Officers (DMO’s) to apply for presumptive legislation, hoping of course that no member shall ever need it.
Presumptive legislation was designed to give all firefighters simpler access to compensation should they contract one of 12 specified types of cancer that has been linked to the risks that firefighters are routinely exposed to.
The coverage for CFA District Mechanical Officers recognises the integral role DMO’s make to our fire services, and acknowledges that in their role maintaining critical firefighting vehicles and equipment both on and off the fireground, they are exposed to the same smoke, chemicals and carcinogens that firefighters are routinely exposed to.
CFA volunteers have a deep respect and admiration for our DMO’s, and many would have personal experiences of where DMO’s have been required to attend a fireground during active operations, especially long campaign fires, where the work of the DMO’s has been critical to keeping our trucks and equipment operating during terrible and confronting conditions.
VFBV has supported the Government’s expansion of the scheme to cover Forest Firefighters (employed by Forest Fire Management Victoria) last year, and District Mechanical Officers (employed by CFA and FRV) this year.
The amended legislation received Royal Assent on the 16th March 2022.
Presumptive Legislation – Women’s Reference Group
VFBV is seeking expressions of interest from members to join a Presumptive Legislation Women’s Reference Group we are putting together to consider and advocate for the inclusion of female specific cancers into presumptive legislation.
Any member that would like to contribute to this work, should please contact Mark Dryden via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Position Vacant
VFBV is seeking to appoint a VFBV Support Officer to work in regional Victoria with VFBV District Councils, Brigades and volunteers to facilitate consultation, issues resolution and volunteer engagement.
The position is a state role, with emphasis and focus on providing support throughout CFA’s West region (CFA Districts 15, 16, and 17). This is an existing position, with the incumbent recently transferring to the North West Support Officer role.
In addition to relevant skills and experience, candidates will need to understand CFA and volunteerism, be good listeners; be able to facilitate good consultation; ability to establish productive networks; navigate through complex issues resolution; be self-starters and have a passion to improve arrangements that benefit the welfare and efficiency of CFA volunteers.
Extensive regional Victorian work travel is envisaged, and flexible work base locations will be considered for the position, with the priority focus to assign a work location within the CFA West Region. Flexible working arrangements, to cater for extensive evening and weekend work, will be tailored to match the needs of our volunteer membership base. This is a full-time position.
Prior to applying you should familiarise yourself with the Position Description – available from VFBV office or website.
Applications close Tuesday 12th April 2022.
Quarterly Supplement
Included with the March 2022 edition of Fire Wise is the latest edition of the VFBV Quarterly Supplement.
The Quarterly Supplement contains 16 pages of relevant news, updates, information on current issues being pursued by VFBV on behalf of members. It also includes additional resources or updates that are available via our website.
An electronic copy of the Quarterly Supplement can be downloaded here.
Brigade Captains and Secretaries, Group Officers and Group Secretaries as well as VFBV delegates are requested to please take the time to read this and future editions, and table at your upcoming meetings for the benefit and knowledge of your members.
Trainer & Assessors
VFBV has recently proposed at the Joint Training Committee, a systematic and State based appeals process for TA (Trainer & Assessor) endorsements after VFBV reviewed complaints from dedicated, experienced, and committed TAs who claimed that they were denied the opportunity to become endorsed.
Currently, the State policy for TA endorsement is for District ACFOs and MLDs to endorse or deny TAs to deliver training programs at the local level. However, there is no accountability or justification required to be given to a TA as to why a particular decision has been reached.
In many situations where TAs have sought VFBV assistance to help resolve the issue, there has been no reasonable justification found for the denied endorsements. In many cases no genuine or methodical explanation or professional development plan have been given to TAs with many cases found to be the result of personality differences or instability of ACFO positions.
VFBV recognise the contribution that TAs have on CFA and advocate strongly that the TA endorsement process must be fair, equitable and provide natural justice and procedural fairness to all concerned. TA endorsements should be based on merit and ability, and minimise the potential for personality conflicts to overshadow the process.
CFA has agreed to work collaboratively with VFBV to develop a fair and non-biased appeals process to establish accountability and transparency and to support the ongoing effectiveness of TAs.
Update your status
Members are reminded of the requirement to update their CFA record with their COVID-19 Vaccination booster (third-dose) details as soon as possible, as per the Victorian Pandemic Order directions. Emergency Service members are required to update their status by 12th March 2022.
ONLINE: https://www.members.cfa.vic.gov.au
BY PHONE: (03) 9262 8663
International Women’s Day
To mark International Women’s Day, VFBV has been sharing a number of stories that highlight the contribution women have made to CFA.
Visit the VFBV website to view the stories showcasing female CFA volunteers:
Recent articles on the VFBV Website
2022 State Urban Junior Championship
International Women’s Day 2022
Churchill Fellowship opportunities for emergency responders
Updating your vaccination status
Enjoying the VFBV monthly newsletter?
If you enjoy reading the VFBV newsletter each month, why not share it with your fellow volunteers?
Either share this page with others who may enjoy the articles or encourage other volunteers to sign up to receive their own copy via email each month here.
