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Sunday, 26 March 2023 16:12

2023 State Urban Senior Championship Results

Written by VFBV

Final results for the 2023 State Urban Senior Championships held in Mooroopna on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 March 2023 are now available.

The full results are available for download at the bottom of this page.

Photo's of presentations are being progressively uploaded to VFBV's dedicated Championships Facebook Page. Team times for each event are available for download at the bottom of this page.

Grand Aggregate Winner - Melton A

B Section Aggregate Winner - Osborne Park B

Wet Aggregate Winner - Pakenham/Narre Warren

Female Aggregate Winner - Euroa

Final Aggregate Results:

SATURDAY, 25^th MARCH

Event 1 – Ladder Race, One Competitor

1^st	OSBORNE PARK B (2) (Aiden Couzens)	6.50	seconds
2^nd	TATURA A (1) (Nathan Rennie)	6.54	seconds
3^rd	HARVEY (2) (Rhys Landwehr)	6.56	seconds
4^th	EAGLEHAWK (1) (Steven Matthews)	6.82	seconds
5^th	HOPPERS CROSSING (1) (Brenton Lawrence)	6.83	seconds

Event 2 – B Section Hose & Ladder, Five Competitors

1^st	OSBORNE PARK B	22.42	seconds
2^nd	HOPPERS CROSSING	23.01	seconds
3^rd	PAKENHAM/NARRE WARREN	24.19	seconds
4^th	ECHUCA	24.77	seconds
5^th	WARRACKNABEAL	25.04	seconds

Event 3 – A Section Y Coupling, Four Competitors

1^st	HARVEY	7.71	seconds
2^nd	OSBORNE PARK A	7.84	seconds
3^rd	MELTON A	7.93	seconds
4^th	DANDENONG	8.81	seconds
5^th	SALE	8.95	seconds

Event 4 – A Section Hose and Ladder, Eight Competitors

1^st	WENDOUREE	22.97	seconds
2^nd	MORWELL	24.27	seconds
3^rd	EAGLEHAWK	25.83	seconds
4^th	HARVEY	25.84	seconds
5^th	OSBORNE PARK A	26.83	seconds

Event 5 – B Section Y Coupling, Four Competitors

1^st	KYNETON	8.56	seconds
2^nd	ECHUCA	8.81	seconds
3^rd	CRESWICK	9.03	seconds
4^th	HALLAM	9.05	seconds
5^th	MAFFRA	9.16	seconds

Event 6 – Female Y Coupling, Two Competitors

1^st	MELTON B	13.25	seconds
2^nd	MILDURA	14.43	seconds
3^rd	TATURA A	14.78	seconds
4^th	SEYMOUR	14.79	seconds
5^th	SWAN HILL	15.07	seconds

Event 7 – A Section Y Coupling Ladder Eights

1^st	OSBORNE PARK A	30.42	seconds
2^nd	HARVEY	32.75	seconds
3^rd	EAGLEHAWK	32.88	seconds
4^th	WENDOUREE	34.56	seconds
5^th	MORWELL	37.12	seconds

Event 8 – B Section Hose, Hydrant and Pumper

1^st	COHUNA	14.37	seconds
2^nd	MELTON B	14.48	seconds
3^rd	ECHUCA	14.72	seconds
4^th	SWAN HILL	15.03	seconds
5^th	MAFFRA	15.90	seconds

Event 9 – B Section Wet Hose Striking One Disc Twice with Removable Back Cap

1^st	WARRACKNABEAL RECORD	17.59	seconds
2^nd	PAKENHAM/NARRE WARREN	18.25	seconds
3^rd	ECHUCA	18.80	seconds
4^th	HOPPERS CROSSING	18.87	seconds
5^th	KNOX GROUP	19.59	seconds

Event 10 – A Section Hose, Hydrant and Pumper

1^st	KANGAROO FLAT	12.99	seconds
2^nd	DANDENONG	13.86	seconds
3^rd	WENDOUREE	13.92	seconds
4^th	HARVEY	14.33	seconds
5^th	OSBORNE PARK A	14.79	seconds

Event 11 – A Section Hose & Reel Sixes

1^st	MELTON A	29.40	seconds
2^nd	OSBORNE PARK A	29.45	seconds
3^rd	MORWELL	31.39	seconds
4^th	HARVEY	31.54	seconds
5^th	WENDOUREE	31.61	seconds

Event 12 - B Section Marshall, One Competitor

1^st	TATURA A (1) (Jeremy Withall)	23.17	seconds
2^nd	KYNETON (1) (Nic Hanna)	25.72	seconds
3^rd	PAKENHAM/NARRE WARREN (2) (Jayden Bull)	26.20	seconds
4^th	OSBORNE PARK B (1) (Tom Evans)	26.70	seconds
5^th	WARRNAMBOOL (1) (Adam Bishop)	27.24	seconds

Chief Officer’s Challenge Event

1^st	KYNETON (Sam Foster, Royce Sharp, Luke Stanley, Spencer Zan)	16.62	seconds
2^nd	CHIEF’S CHARGERS (Chief Officer Jason Heffernan, DCO Kaylene Jones, DCO Rohan Luke, DCO Garry Cook)	21.70	seconds

Event 13 – B Section Wet Hose Striking One Disc Twice

1^st	PAKENHAM/NARRE WARREN	16.57	seconds
2^nd	OSBORNE PARK B	17.57	seconds
3^rd	MAFFRA	17.61	seconds
4^th	KYNETON	18.06	seconds
5^th	ECHUCA	18.56	seconds

Event 14 - A Section Marshall, One Competitor

1^st	MELTON A (1) (Bailey Rhodes)	24.77	seconds
2^nd	WENDOUREE (1) (Craig Briody)	25.06	seconds
3^rd	DANDENONG (1) (Millar Anderson)	25.23	seconds
4^th	OSBORNE PARK A (2) (Devon Winsall)	25.60	seconds
5^th	OSBORNE PARK A (1) (Dean Jordan)	26.06	seconds

Event 15 – Female Marshall, One Competitor

1^st	EUROA (Teagan Kubeil)	31.29	seconds
2^nd	SWAN HILL (Sienna Kruger)	31.38	seconds
3^rd	TATURA A (Hayley Rennie)	32.10	seconds
4^th	HORSHAM (Claire Longstaff)	32.31	seconds
5^th	HOPPERS CROSSING (Amanda Lawrence)	32.33	seconds

Event 16 - B Section Pumper & Ladder

1^st	PAKENHAM/NARRE WARREN	16.19	seconds
2^nd	COHUNA	16.64	seconds
3^rd	OSBORNE PARK B	17.61	seconds
4^th	ECHUCA	17.64	seconds
5^th	HOPPERS CROSSING	18.19	seconds

Event 17 - A Section Hydrant & Tanker

1^st	MELTON A – RECORD	13.45	seconds
2^nd	DANDENONG	14.09	seconds
3^rd	WENDOUREE	14.87	seconds
4^th	HARVEY	15.04	seconds
5^th	EAGLEHAWK	15.75	seconds

SUNDAY, 26^th MARCH

Event 18 – Hydrant Race, One Competitor

1^st	TATURA A (1) (Matthew Rennie)	11.41	seconds
2^nd	HARVEY (2) (Rhys Landwher)	12.67	seconds
3^rd	SWAN HILL (2) (Adam Saunders)	12.69	seconds
4^th	DANDENONG (2) (Murray Anderson)	13.04	seconds
5^th	MELTON B (2) (Denzel Johns)	13.23	seconds

Event 19 – Female Hydrant Race, One Competitor

1^st	PAKENHAM/NARRE WARREN (Samantha White) Run off conducted for first place	15.22	seconds
2^nd	MELTON B (Lorelei Geysing) Run off conducted for first place	15.22	seconds
3^rd	WARRACKNABEAL (Isabella Orszulak)	15.37	seconds
4^th	SALE (Dana King)	16.91	seconds
5^th	KNOX GROUP (Jessica Walker)	17.51	seconds

Event 20 – A Section Pumper & Ladder

1^st	HARVEY	14.91	seconds
2^nd	MELTON A	15.38	seconds
3^rd	OSBORNE PARK A	16.25	seconds
4^th	WENDOUREE	16.40	seconds
5^th	DANDENONG	17.31	seconds

Event 21 – B Section Hydrant & Tanker

1^st	ECHUCA	13.58	seconds
2^nd	COHUNA	13.60	seconds
3^rd	PAKENHAM/NARRE WARREN	15.49	seconds
4^th	OSBORNE PARK B	16.06	seconds
5^th	HOPPERS CROSSING	16.58	seconds

Event 22 – Female Marshall, Two Competitors

1^st	EUROA (Teagan Kubeil, Amelia Delahey)	19.40	seconds
2^nd	TATURA A (Charlotte Freemantle, Hayley Rennie)	19.72	seconds
3^rd	SWAN HILL (Emma Templeton, Porcha Bruton)	19.96	seconds
4^th	KNOX GROUP (Jessica Walker, Isabella Gluskie)	20.40	seconds
5^th	KERANG (Kendall Ash, Zalie Ash)	22.24	seconds

Event 23 – B Section Hose & Reel Sixes

1^st	OSBORNE PARK B	32.11	seconds
2^nd	KNOX GROUP	36.62	seconds
3^rd	HOPPERS CROSSING	37.14	seconds
4^th	WARRACKNABEAL	42.68	seconds

Event 24 – A Section Marshall, Two Competitors

1^st	MELTON A (2) (James Arandt, Bailey Rhodes)	14.90	seconds
2^nd	KANGAROO FLAT (2) (Tyler Harris, Blake Harris)	15.26	seconds
3^rd	WENDOUREE (1) (Craig Briody, Damon Sutton)	15.50	seconds
4^th	OSBORNE PARK A (1) (Jordan Winsall, Dean Jordan)	15.53	seconds
5^th	OSBORNE PARK B (2) (James Mullins, Devon Winsall)	15.96	seconds

Event 25 – A Section Hose and Reel Eights

1^st	OSBORNE PARK A	28.95	seconds
2^nd	WENDOUREE	29.27	seconds
3^rd	MELTON A	29.53	seconds
4^th	PATTERSON RIVER	30.66	seconds
5^th	MORWELL	32.53	seconds

Event 26 – B Section Marshall, Two Competitors

1^st	TATURA A (1) (Nathan Rennie, Jeremy Withall)	16.45	seconds
2^nd	MAFFRA (1)	16.86	seconds
3^rd	ECHUCA (1) (Jordan Simpson, Martyn Currey)	16.88	seconds
4^th	WARRACKNABEAL (1) (Shaune Winsall, Kynan Jonasson)	16.89	seconds
5^th	OSBORNE PARK B (2) (Tom Evans, Jaxon Winsall)	17.13	seconds

Event 27 – Champion Fours

1^st	PATTERSON RIVER	17.99	seconds
2^nd	KANGAROO FLAT	18.11	seconds
3^rd	HARVEY	18.17	seconds
4^th	WENDOUREE	18.51	seconds
5^th	MORWELL	18.77	seconds

Vic./W.A. Challenge Event

1^st	VICTORIA	29.21	seconds
2^nd	WESTERN AUSTRALIA	29.77	seconds

Torchlight Procession

1^st	DIAMOND CREEK	96.00%
2^nd	HOPPERS CROSSING	95.00%
3^rd	PAKENHAM/NARRE WARREN	92.00%

FINAL AGGREGATE RESULTS

Dry Aggregate

1^st	TATURA A	21	Points
=2^nd	MELTON A & HARVEY	16	Points

Wet Aggregate

1^st	PAKENHAM/NARRE WARREN	54	Points
=2^nd	OSBORNE PARK A, WENDOUREE & OSBORNE PARK B	52	Points

Female Aggregate

1^st	EUROA	16	Points
2^nd	MELTON B	13	Points
3^rd	TATURA A	11	Points

SECTION AGGREGATES:

‘A’ SECTION

1^st	MELTON A	67	Points
2^nd	HARVEY	64	Points
3^rd	OSBORNE PARK A	63	Points

‘A’ SECTION WET AGGREGATE

=1^st	OSBORNE PARK A & WENDOUREE	52	Points
=2^nd	HARVEY & MELTON A	48	Points

‘B’ SECTION

1^st	OSBORNE PARK B	63	Points
2^nd	PAKENHAM/NARRE WARREN	57	Points
3^rd	ECHUCA	46	Points

‘B’ SECTION WET AGGREGATE

1^st	PAKENHAM/NARRE WARREN	54	Points
2^nd	OSBORNE PARK B	52	Points
3^rd	ECHUCA	38	Points

APPLIANCE AGGREGATES

‘A’ SECTION

1^st	MELTON A	26	Points
2^nd	HARVEY	24	Points
3^rd	DANDENONG	22	Points

‘B’ SECTION

1^st	COHUNA	36	Points
2^nd	ECHUCA	26	Points
3^rd	PAKENHAM/NARRE WARREN	22	Points

2023 CHAMPION BRIGADE:

The team members of Melton A are:

James Arandt
Jake Caroll
Ben Geysing
Jack Geysing
Devante Johns
Bailey Rhodes
Cooper Rhodes
Manaia Robinson
Jacob Steele
Anthony Rhodes – competitor and coach
Ashely Goudie – coach

Results for the 2023 Champion Competitor:

1^st

Bailey Rhodes (Melton A)

26

Points

=2^nd

Rhys Landwher (Harvey)

22

Points

=3^rd

James Arandt (Melton A), Corey Goodhill (Harvey) and

Mitch Golding (Harvey)

17

Points

Published in HomePage Featured

Sunday, 26 March 2023 15:43

2023 State Rural Junior Championship Results

Written by VFBV

Final results for the 2023 State Rural Junior Championship held in Mooroopna on Sunday 26 March 2023 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.

Event 1A: Low Down Pump & Ladder – 11-13 Years

1^st	Napoleons-Enfield A	17.99	Seconds
2^nd	Ascot & District B	18.05	Seconds
3^rd	Ascot & District A	18.15	Seconds
4^th	Beazley’s Bridge A	19.43	Seconds
5^th	Miners Rest B	20.22	Seconds

Event 1B: Low Down Pump & Ladder – 11-15 Years

1^st	Napoleons/Enfield A – New Record	15.59	Seconds
2^nd	Miners Rest A	18.68	Seconds
3^rd	Gapsted A	19.20	Seconds
4^th	Dunrobin/Nangeela A	19.23	Seconds
5^th	Springhurst A	19.45	Seconds

Chief Officer’s Challenge Event, Low Down Pump & Ladder

1^st	Napoleons-Enfield 11-15 Years: Billy Bedggood, Mitch Hazlett, Ethan Kuchel & Aleisha Roberts	17.33	Seconds
2^nd	Napoleons-Enfield 11-13 Years: Darcy Kuchel, Clancy Bedggood, Charlotte Roberts & Jayden Roberts	17.99	Seconds
3^rd	Chief Officer Jason Heffernan, DCO Kaylene Jones, DCO Brett Boatman, DCO Garry Cook & ACFO Glenn Probstl	30.76	Seconds

Event 2A: Wet Hose & Ladder – 11-13 Years

1^st	Ascot & District A – New Record	25.00	Seconds
2^nd	Miners Rest A	26.36	Seconds
3^rd	Ascot & District B	26.89	Seconds
4^th	Mandurang A	27.47	Seconds
5^th	Beazley’s Bridge C	27.96	Seconds

Event 2B: Wet Hose & Ladder – 11-15 Years

1^st	Napoleons-Enfield A – New Record	21.63	Seconds
2^nd	Beazley’s Bridge A	24.37	Seconds
3^rd	Dunrobin/Nangeela A	24.99	Seconds
4^th	Springhurst A	25.83	Seconds
5^th	Springhurst B	26.03	Seconds

Event 4A: Tanker – Priming, Pumping & Ladder – 11-13 Years

1^st	Napoleons-Enfield A	26.76	Seconds
2^nd	Ascot & District A	28.26	Seconds
3^rd	Beazley’s Bridge A	30.52	Seconds
4^th	Mandurang A	31.97	Seconds
5^th	Miners Rest A	32.78	Seconds

Event 4B: Tanker – Priming, Pumping & Ladder – 11-15 Years

1^st	Napoleons-Enfield A	22.68	Seconds
2^nd	Doreen A	23.87	Seconds
3^rd	Beazley’s Bridge A	26.12	Seconds
4^th	Dunrobin/Nangeela A	26.62	Seconds
5^th	Springhurst A	28.00	Seconds

Event 5A: Hydrant & Tanker – 11-13 Years

1^st	Napoleons-Enfield B	27.33	Seconds
2^nd	Beazley’s Bridge A	28.52	Seconds
3^rd	Ascot & District A	28.84	Seconds
4^th	Napoleons-Enfield A	29.57	Seconds
5^th	Beazley’s Bridge B	29.73	Seconds

Event 5B: Hydrant & Tanker – 11-15 Years

1^st	Napoleons-Enfield A – New Record	21.69	Seconds
2^nd	Beazley’s Bridge A	23.34	Seconds
3^rd	Springhurst A	24.30	Seconds
4^th	Springhurst B	25.08	Seconds
5^th	Swan Hill A	26.46	Seconds

Event 6A: Tanker – Drawing Water from Tank – 11-13 Years

1^st	Napoleons-Enfield A	21.71	Seconds
2^nd	Beazley’s Bridge B	22.70	Seconds
3^rd	Ascot & District A	23.76	Seconds
4^th	Miners Rest A	25.79	Seconds
5^th	Beazley’s Bridge C	26.12	Seconds

Event 6B: Tanker – Drawing Water from Tank – 11-15 Years

1^st	Napoleons-Enfield A	18.81	Seconds
2^nd	Beazley’s Bridge A	19.65	Seconds
3^rd	Springhurst A	19.76	Seconds
4^th	Eldorado B	22.01	Seconds
5^th	Swan Hill Bill B	22.95	Seconds

FINAL AGGREGATES

11-13 YEARS AGGREGATE

1^st	Napoleons-Enfield A	52	Points
2^nd	Ascot & District A	44	Points
3^rd	Beazley’s Bridge A	20	Points

11-15 YEARS AGGREGATE

1^st	Napoleons-Enfield A	80	Points
2^nd	Beazley’s Bridge A	36	Points
3^rd	Springhurst A	20	Points

CHAMPION TEAM:

1^st	Napoleons-Enfield A: Clancy Bedggood, Charlotte Roberts, Darcy Kuchel, Jayden Roberts, Mitchell Hazlett, Billy Bedggood, Ethan Kuchel & Aleisha Roberts	132	Points
2^nd	Beazley’s Bridge A	56	Points
3^rd	Ascot & District A	44	Points

VFBV State President Encouragement Award winner: Strathmerton Brigade

Stan Ross Conduct Trophy winner: Ascot & District Brigade

Junior Firefighter Sprint winners:

11-13 Years – Female:

1^st Charlotte Roberts – Napoleons-Enfield

2^nd Tilly McErlain – Ascot & District

3^rd Neve Chesman – Beazley’s Bridge

11-13 Years – Male:

1^st Tom Griffiths - Gapsted

2^nd Darcy Kuchel – Napoleons-Enfield

3^rd Henry Small – Beazley’s Bridge

11-15 Years – Female:

1^st Abbey Weir – Beazley’s Bridge

2^nd Matilda Lewis - Springhurst

3^rd Lily Gibbs - Eldorado

11-15 Years – Male:

1^st Otis Paton – Beazley’s Bridge

2^nd Ethan Kuchel – Napoleons Enfield

3^rd Samuel Handreck – Miners Rest

Published in HomePage Featured

Saturday, 25 March 2023 16:58

2023 State Rural Senior Championship Results

Written by VFBV

Final results for the 2023 State Rural Senior Championship held in Mooroopna on Saturday 25 March 2023 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.

Event 1: Low Down Pump & Ladder

Division 1:	1^st	Eldorado A	15.92	Seconds
	2^nd	Hurstbridge A	15.95	Seconds
	3^rd	Dunrobin/Nangeela A	16.04	Seconds
	4^th	Beazley's Bridge A	16.55	Seconds
	5^th	Springhurst A	16.71	Seconds

Division 2:	1^st	Sedgwick A	16.77	Seconds
	2^nd	Mandurang A	16.86	Seconds
	3^rd	Dunrobin/Nangeela B	19.50	Seconds
	4^th	Beazley’s Bridge C	20.33	Seconds
	5^th	Hurstbridge D	20.47	Seconds

Division 3:	1^st	Dunolly A	18.45	Seconds
	2^nd	Eltham A	19.84	Seconds
	3^rd	Mandurang B	20.07	Seconds
	4^th	Elaine A	20.31	Seconds
	5^th	Mannerim A	20.60	Seconds

Event 2A: Wet Hose & Ladder

Division 1:	1^st	Leopold A – NEW RECORD TIME	18.61	Seconds
	2^nd	Hurstbridge A	19.47	Seconds
	3^rd	Springhurst A	20.41	Seconds
	4^th	Sedgwick B	20.64	Seconds
	5^th	Dunrobin/Nangeela A	20.88	Seconds

Division 2:	1^st	Sedgwick A	20.88	Seconds
	2^nd	Hurstbridge D	22.07	Seconds
	3^rd	Mandurang A	22.47	Seconds
	=4^th	Eldorado C	28.83	Seconds
	=4^th	Yarroweyah A	28.83	Seconds

Division 3:	1^st	Leopold B	24.98	Seconds
	2^nd	Pearcedale A	25.14	Seconds
	3^rd	Eltham A	26.86	Seconds
	4^th	Leitchville A	28.02	Seconds
	5^th	Elaine A	29.35	Seconds

Event 3: Tanker Hose Reel & Ladder

Division 1:	1^st	Hurstbridge A	39.89	Seconds
	2^nd	Beazley’s Bridge A	40.64	Seconds
	3^rd	Eldorado A	40.65	Seconds
	4^th	Leopold A	43.08	Seconds
	5^th	Dunrobin/Nangeela A	45.21	Seconds

Division 2:	1^st	Sedgwick A	45.25	Seconds
	2^nd	Hurstbridge D	48.07	Seconds
	3^rd	Dunrobin/Nangeela B	48.56	Seconds
	4^th	Yarroweyah A	53.93	Seconds
	5^th	Eldorado C	54.98	Seconds

Division 3:	1^st	Dunolly A	50.47	Seconds
	2^nd	Eldorado B	55.05	Seconds
	3^rd	Mandurang B	55.24	Seconds
	4^th	Leitchville A	56.20	Seconds
	5^th	Leopold B	56.95	Seconds

Event 4: Tanker - Priming, Pumping & Ladder

Division 1:	1^st	Eldorado A	20.07	Seconds
	2^nd	Springhurst A	21.51	Seconds
	3^rd	Connewarre A	21.70	Seconds
	4^th	Hurstbridge A	22.59	Seconds
	5^th	Beazley’s Bridge B	23.25	Seconds

Division 2:	1^st	Sedgwick A	22.87	Seconds
	2^nd	Dunrobin/Nangeela B	25.25	Seconds
	3^rd	Yarroweyah A	25.30	Seconds
	4^th	Eldorado C	25.42	Seconds
	5^th	Beazley’s Bridge C	26.09	Seconds

Division 3:	1^st	Dunolly A	23.77	Seconds
	2^nd	Mandurang B	25.76	Seconds
	3^rd	Leopold B	26.31	Seconds
	4^th	Dunrobin/Nangeela D	27.43	Seconds
	5^th	Elaine A	27.74	Seconds

Event 5: Hydrant & Tanker

Division 1:	1^st	Hurstbridge A	17.48	Seconds
	2^nd	Eldorado A	18.32	Seconds
	3^rd	Springhurst A	18.35	Seconds
	4^th	Dunrobin/Nangeela A	19.20	Seconds
	5^th	Connewarre A	19.94	Seconds

Division 2:	1^st	Mandurang A	21.70	Seconds
	2^nd	Hurstbridge D	23.31	Seconds
	3^rd	Eldorado C	24.49	Seconds
	4^th	Springhurst B	25.63	Seconds
	5^th	Chiltern A	30.41	Seconds

Division 3:	1^st	Elaine A	24.77	Seconds
	2^nd	Eldorado B	25.27	Seconds
	3^rd	Mandurang B	26.16	Seconds
	4^th	Mannerim A	27.16	Seconds
	5^th	Dunrobin/Nangeela D	29.41	Seconds

Event 6: Tanker – Drawing Water from Tank

Division 1:	1^st	Hurstbridge A	15.88	Seconds
	2^nd	Leopold A	16.37	Seconds
	3^rd	Beazley’s Bridge B	18.38	Seconds
	4^th	Beazley’s Bridge A	19.51	Seconds
	5^th	Swan Hill A	19.99	Seconds

Division 2:	1^st	Mandurang A	17.41	Seconds
	2^nd	Yarroweyah A	17.98	Seconds
	3^rd	Hurstbridge D	18.92	Seconds
	4^th	Sedgwick A	19.33	Seconds
	5^th	Eldorado C	20.38	Seconds

Division 3:	1^st	Dunolly A	20.44	Seconds
	2^nd	Mandurang B	21.10	Seconds
	3^rd	Eldorado B	21.21	Seconds
	4^th	Pearcedale A	22.19	Seconds
	5^th	Mannerim A	24.13	Seconds

FINAL AGGREGATES

DIVISION 1 AGGREGATE

1^st	Hurstbridge A	72	points
2^nd	Eldorado A	48	Points
3^rd	Leopold A	30	Points

DIVISION 2 AGGREGATE

1^st	Sedgwick A	68	Points
2^nd	Mandurang A	48	Points
3^rd	Hurstbridge D	38	Points

DIVISION 3 AGGREGATE

1^st	Dunolly A	64	Points
2^nd	Mandurang B	38	Points
3^rd	Eldorado B	26	Points

Alan King AFSM Memorial Conduct Trophy winner: Leopold Brigade

Outstanding Female Team: Beazley’s Bridge C

Winners of the Firefighter Sprint:

Female competitors: 1^st Trinity Williams, Chiltern

2^nd Erin Munro, Dunrobin/Nangeela

3^rd Taylah Logie, Strathmerton

Male competitors: 1^st Corey Wilkinson, Leopold

2^nd Lachlan Lewis, Springhurst

3^rd Nathan Bolger, Connewarre

Published in HomePage Featured

Thursday, 23 March 2023 15:36

2023 State Championships This Weekend

Written by VFBV

The 2023 State Urban Senior Championship and the State Rural Senior and Junior Championships will be held this coming Saturday and Sunday, 25 and 26 March 2023 at the Mooroopna Recreation Reserve, Midland Highway, Mooroopna.

Once again 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 40 junior teams and 76 senior teams including Harvey and Brunswick Junction brigades who are once again making the trip across from Western Australia to compete in the State Urban Senior 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 popular and impressive Torchlight Procession will be conducted on the evening of Sunday 25 March at Victoria Lake Park in Shepparton, with 2023 marking 150 years since the first demonstration and display of Victoria’s volunteer firefighters was held in 1873, which included a Torchlight Procession through the streets of Melbourne. The Torchlight Procession will begin at 8:30pm on Saturday evening.

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 Rural State Championships:

Seniors:

Division 1	Division 2	Division 3
Beazley’s Bridge A	Beazley’s Bridge C	Dunolly A
Beazley’s Bridge B	Chiltern A	Dunrobin/Nangeela D
Connewarre A	Doreen A	Elaine A
Connewarre B	Dunrobin/Nangeela B	Elaine B
Dunrobin/Nangeela A	Eldorado C	Eltham A
Dunrobin/Nangeela C	Gapsted A	Leitchville A
Eldorado A	Hurstbridge D	Leopold B
Hurstbridge A	Mandurang A	Mandurang B
Hurstbridge B	Sedgwick A	Mannerim A
Hurstbridge C	Springhurst B	Pearcedale A
Leopold A	Springhurst C	Strathmerton B
Sedgwick B	Strathmerton A
Springhurst A	Yarroweyah A
Swan Hill A
Truganina A

Juniors:

Ascot & District A	Mannerim A
Ascot & District B	Miners Rest A
Beazley's Bridge A	Miners Rest B
Beazley's Bridge B	Napoleons-Enfield A
Beazley’s Bridge C	Napoleons-Enfield B
Chiltern A	Napoleons-Enfield C
Doreen A	Pearcedale A
Dunolly A	Pearcedale B
Dunrobin/Nangeela A	Springhurst A
Dunrobin/Nangeela B	Springhurst B
Eldorado A	Strathmerton A
Eldorado B	Swan Hill A
Gapsted A	Swan Hill B
Gapsted B	Truganina A
Mandurang A

Teams competing in the State Urban Senior Championship:

A Section	B Section
Dandenong	Brunswick Junction (WA)
Eaglehawk	Cohuna
Harvey (WA)	Creswick
Kangaroo Flat	Echuca
Melton A	Euroa
Mildura	Hamilton/Colac
Morwell	Hallam
Osborne Park A	Hoppers Crossing
Patterson River	Horsham
Sale	Kerang
Wendouree	Knox Group
Werribee	Kyneton
	Maffra
	Melton B
	Mooroopna
	Osborne Park B
	Pakenham/Narre Warren
	Seymour
	Swan Hill
	Tatura
	Warracknabeal
	Warrnambool
	Whittlesea

Published in HomePage Featured

Sunday, 19 March 2023 13:13

2023 State Urban Junior Championship Results

Written by VFBV

Final results for the 2023 State Urban Junior Championships held in Mooroopna on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 March 2023 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 18^th March

Event 1 Hydrant – One Competitor, Under 14 Years

1^st	Echuca A (Mason Whinfield)	10.63	seconds
2^nd	Maffra (Kobe Parsons)	10.79	seconds
3^rd	Euroa A (Addison Godsmark)	10.82	seconds
4^th	Red Cliffs A (Darcy Roden)	11.45	seconds
5^th	Melton A (Ryder Millington)	11.75	seconds

Event 2 Y Coupling – Two Competitors, Under 17 Years

1^st	Melton A (Devante Johns and Brodie Leitch)	10.92	seconds
2^nd	Harvey (Daniel Martella and Brodie Hewer)	12.28	seconds
3^rd	Melton B (Ryan Stone and Tia Stone)	12.69	seconds
4^th	Grovedale (Aiden Couzens and Matthew Evans)	12.72	seconds
5^th	Bairnsdale (Cooper Howell and Bryce Olgesby)	13.65	seconds

Event 3 Wet Hose Striking Second Disc – Four Competitors, Under 14 Years

1^st	Echuca A (Mason Whinfield, George Danswan, Archie Collier, Gratton Harrison)	18.68	seconds
2^nd	Melton A (Poppy Arandt, Alexis Johnston, Ryder Millington, Mikaylah Crawford)	19.38	seconds
3^rd	Warracknabeal A (Hayden Polack, Eliza Williamson, Maddison Bentley, Ben Wright)	19.79	seconds
4^th	Euroa A (Addison Godsmark, Matilda Kubeil, Kobee Mann, Zahara Johns)	20.57	seconds
5^th	Maffra (Kristin Murphy, Tyler Schoenmaekers, Kobe Parsons, Rowville Competitor)	21.25	seconds

Event 4 Y Coupling – Four Competitors, Under 17 Years

1^st	Harvey (Daniel Martella, Brodie Hewer, Cam Wellington, Bailey Garrigan)	8.70	seconds
2^nd	Melton A (Devante Johns, Brodie Leitch, Lorelei Geysing, Jamie Millington)	8.80	seconds
3^rd	Echuca A (Martyn Currey, James Mead, Kaylea Blake, Kyran Blake)	9.57	seconds
4^th	Bairnsdale (Cooper Howell, Ethan Pitt, Bryce Oglesby, Ben Whipress)	10.35	seconds
5^th	Kyneton (Sam Foster, Royce Sharpe, Luke Stanely, Spencer Zan)	10.71	seconds

Event 5 Wet Hose Striking 1^st & 2^nd Discs – Four Competitors, Under 17 Years

1^st	Melton A (Devante Johns, Brodie Leitch, Lorelei Geysing, Jamie Millington)	19.38	seconds
2^nd	Melton B (Ryan Stone, Tia Stone, Kenlou Williams, Ebony Falzone)	19.75	seconds
3^rd	Kyneton (Sam Foster, Royce Sharp, Luke Stanley, Spencer Zan)	19.84	seconds
4^th	Echuca A (Martyn Currey, James Mead, Kyran Blake, Sam Schmedje)	21.09	seconds
5^th	Rowville B (Matthew De Filppis, Cameron Ellis, Thomas Landells, Lauren Brayshaw)	21.18	seconds

Event 6 Marshall – One Competitor, Under 14 Years

1^st	Euroa A (Addison Godsmark)	28.65	seconds
2^nd	Kangaroo Flat (Lucy Gilbee)	34.52	seconds
3^rd	Melton A (Ryder Millington)	34.63	seconds
4^th	Maffra (Kobe Parsons)	38.67	seconds
5^th	Red Cliffs (Darcy Roden)	38.77	seconds

Event 7 Wet Hose Striking 1st & 2nd Discs – Four Competitors, Under 14 Years

1^st	Euroa A (Addison Godsmark, Matilda Kubeil, Kobee Mann, Zhara Johns)	20.12	seconds
2^nd	Echuca A (Mason Whinfield, George Danswan, Archie Collier, Gratton Harrison)	22.74	seconds
3^rd	Melton C (Charlotte Crawford, Isabella Greene, Mason Pasco, borrowed competitor)	24.11	seconds
4^th	Warracknabeal (Hayden Polack, Eliza Williamson, Zander Jonasson, Ben Wright)	24.36	seconds
5^th	Euroa C (Will Mann, Tyler Delahey, Mischa Boyd, Charlie Tracey)	24.51	seconds

Event 8 Marshall – One Competitor, Under 17 Years

1^st	Grovedale (Thomas Evans)	26.19	seconds
2^nd	Melton A (Devante Johns)	26.97	seconds
3^rd	Melton B (Ryan Stone)	28.51	seconds
4^th	Kyneton (Luke Stanley)	29.84	seconds
5^th	Harvey (Brodie Hewer)	30.53	seconds

Event 9 Wet Hose – Two Competitors, Under 17 Years

1^st	Melton A (Devante Johns and Brodie Leitch)	10.13	seconds
2^nd	Grovedale (Thomas Evans and Aiden Couzens)	10.65	seconds
3^rd	Kyneton (Sam Foster and Luke Stanley) Run off conducted for third place	11.09	seconds
4^th	Melton C (Ryan Stone and Ebony Falzon) Run off conducted for third place	11.09	seconds
5^th	Warracknabeal A (Cody Polack and Isabella Orsulak)	11.38	seconds

Event 10 Marshall – Two Competitors, Under 14 Years

1^st	Euroa A (Addison Godsmark and Matilda Kubeil)	18.85	seconds
2^nd	Kangaroo Flat (Lucy Gilbee and Chris Mason)	21.81	seconds
3^rd	Echuca A (Mason Whinfield and George Danswan)	22.22	seconds
4^th	Warracknabeal (Hayden Polack and Eliza Williamson)	22.70	seconds
5^th	Sale (Ruth King and Danae Bhana)	23.05	seconds

Event 11 Wet Hose – Two Competitors, Under 14 Years

1^st	Euroa A (Addison Godsmark and Matilda Kubeil)	12.22	seconds
2^nd	Echuca A (Mason Whinfield and George Danswan)	12.51	seconds
3^rd	Kangaroo Flat (Lucy Gilbee and Chris Mason)	12.92	seconds
4^th	Warracknabeal A (Hayden Polack and Eliza Williamson)	13.08	seconds
5^th	Rowville A (Brenton Radford and Madison Lam)	13.39	seconds

RESULTS – Sunday 19^th March

Event 12 Hydrant – One Competitor, Under 17 Years

1^st	Grovedale (Aiden Couzens)	12.32	seconds
2^nd	Melton A (Devante Johns)	12.75	seconds
3^rd	Harvey (Brodie Hewer)	13.35	seconds
4^th	Warracknabeal A (Cody Polack)	13.50	seconds
5^th	Echuca A (Martyn Currey)	13.62	seconds

Event 13 Y Coupling – Two Competitors, Under 14 Years

1^st	Echuca A (Mason Whinfield and George Danswan)	14.13	seconds
2^nd	Maffra (Kristin Murphy and Tyler Schoenmaekers)	16.27	seconds
3^rd	Melton A (Ryder Millington and Mikaylah and Crawford)	16.67	seconds
4^th	Kyneton (Lea Sheridan and Charlie Tracey)	16.89	seconds
5^th	Sale (Thomas De Nobile and Conner Knights)	17.44	seconds

Event 14 Wet Hose Striking Second Disc – Four Competitors, Under 17 Years

1^st	Harvey (Daniel Martella, Brodie Hewer, Cam Wellington, Bailey Garrigan)	18.01	seconds
2^nd	Melton A (Devante Johns, Brodie Leitch, Lorelei Geysing, Jamie Millington) Run off conducted for second place	18.14	seconds
3^rd	Werribee A (Oscar Statharin, Ally Owen, Matthew Packer, Mitchell Inglis) Run off conducted for second place	18.14	seconds
4^th	Kellerberrin (Caiden Cox, Caysie Bubb, Savannah Wilkins, Amber Watkins)	18.48	seconds
5^th	Maffra (Charlotte Giles, Kasey Svenson, Jayde Parsons, Trinity Sherritt)	18.67	seconds

Event 15 Y Coupling – Four Competitors, Under 14 Years

1^st	Werribee A (Markus Weiss, Harindi Pethiyagoda, Oscar Weston, Piper Owen)	11.05	seconds
2^nd	Melton A (Poppy Arandt, Alexis Johnston, Ryder Millington, Mikaylah Crawford)	11.37	seconds
3^rd	Euroa A (Addison Godsmark, Matilda Kubeil, Kobee Mann, Zahara Johns)	11.48	seconds
4^th	Wangaratta (Scarlett McAndrew, Chelsea Heywood, Kayla Jose, Jack Ambrose)	12.13	seconds
5^th	Sale (Willow Goode, Danae Bhana, Thomas De Nobile, Connor Knights)	12.40	seconds

Event 16 Wet Hose Striking One Disc Twice – Four Competitors, Under 14 Years

1^st	Maffra (Kristin Murphy, Tyler Schoenmaekers, Kobe Parsons, borrowed Rowville competitor)	17.38	seconds
2^nd	Euroa A (Addison Godsmark, Matilda Kubeil, Kobee Mann, Zahara Johns)	17.46	seconds
3^rd	Echuca A (Mason Whinfield, George Danswan, Archie Collier, Gratton Harrison)	17.59	seconds
4^th	Melton A (Poppy Arandt, Alexis Johnston, Ryder Millington, Mikaylah Crawford)	18.81	seconds
5^th	Warracknabeal A (Hayden Polack, Eliza Williamson, Zander Jonasson, Maddison Bentley)	20.02	seconds

Event 17 Marshall – Two Competitors, Under 17 Years

1^st	Melton A (Devante Johns, Brodie Leitch)	16.06	seconds
2^nd	Harvey (Daniel Martella, Brodie Hewer)	16.89	seconds
3^rd	Echuca A (Martyn Currey, James Mead)	19.07	seconds
4^th	Melton B (Ryan Stone, Tia Stone)	19.41	seconds
5^th	Kyneton (Sam Foster, Luke Stanley)	19.52	seconds

Event 18 Wet Hose Striking One Disc Twice – Four Competitors, Under 17 Years

1^st	Kyneton (Sam Foster, Royce Sharp, Luke Stanley, Spencer Zan)	14.87	seconds
2^nd	Harvey (Daniel Martella, Brodie Hewer, Cam Wellington, Bailey Garrigan)	16.11	seconds
3^rd	Kellerberrin (Caiden Cox, Caysie Bubb, Savannah Wilkins, Amber Watkins)	17.29	seconds
4^th	Melton B (Ryan Stone, Tia Stone, Kenlou Williams, Ebony Falzon)	17.41	seconds
5^th	Rowville B (Matthew De Flippis, Cameron Ellis, Thomas Landells, Lauren Brayshaw)	17.44	seconds

FINAL AGGREGATE RESULTS

DRY AGGREGATE:

1^st	Melton A	43	Points
2^nd	Echuca A	26	Points
=3^rd	Euroa A and Harvey	22	Points

WET AGGREGATE

1^st	Melton A	28	Points
=2^nd	Echuca A & Euroa A	23	Points

UNDER 14 YEARS AGGREGATE

1^st	Euroa A	45	Points
2^nd	Echuca A	40	Points
3^rd	Maffra	21	Points

UNDER 17 YEARS AGGREGATE

1^st	Melton A	52	Points
2^nd	Harvey	35	Points
3^rd	Grovedale	23	Points

GRAND AGGREGATE

1^st	Melton A	71	Points
2^nd	Echuca A	49	Points
3^rd	Euroa A	45	Points

2023 - Champion Team – Melton A

Coaches Anthony Rhodes, Bailey Rhodes and Ashley Goudie and competitors:

Poppy Arandt
Mikaylah Crawford
Lorelei Geysing
Devante Johns
Alexis Johnston
Brodie Leitch
Jamie Millington
Ryder Millington

The final Aggregate Board is below:

Published in HomePage Featured

Thursday, 16 March 2023 16:05

2023 State Urban Junior Championship This Weekend

Written by VFBV

The 2023 State Urban Junior Championship will be held this coming Saturday and Sunday, 18 and 19 March 2023 in Mooroopna. This year will be the 50th time the State Urban Junior Championship has been held.

Come along and see tomorrow’s CFA volunteers proudly demonstrate their skills.

If you are not involved with the CFA juniors program or haven’t witnessed the value the State Urban Junior Championship provides for young volunteers to develop practical skills and to be actively involved in CFA, then get along and be inspired.

Urban junior competitions have a proud 50 year history. This year 41 teams from CFA brigades from across Victoria along with two teams, Harvey and Kellerberrin, who have travelled across from Western Australia will compete over the two days.

The 2023 Championship is being held at the Mooroopna Recreation Reserve, Midland Hwy, Mooroopna and events will begin at 8:30am each morning.

Results from the Championship will be progressively posted over the weekend on VFBV’s dedicated Championships Facebook Page.

Teams competing in the 2023 State Urban Junior Championship are:

Ararat	Melton A
Bairnsdale	Melton B
Colac	Melton C
Diamond Creek	Mildura
Echuca A	Red Cliffs A
Echuca B	Red Cliffs B
Euroa A	Rowville A
Euroa B	Rowville B
Euroa C	Sale
Frankston	Seymour
Grovedale	Stawell
Hamilton	Swan Hill A
Harvey (Western Australia)	Swan Hill B
Hoppers Crossing	Upwey A
Horsham	Upwey B
Kangaroo Flat	Wangaratta
Kellerberrin (Western Australia)	Warracknabeal A
Kerang	Wendouree
Kyneton	Warracknabeal B
Maffra	Werribee A
	Werribee B

Information for brigades competing this weekend can be downloaded from this page.

Next weekend 25th and 26th March will see the State Urban Senior Championship along with the State Rural Senior and Junior Championships take place at the Mooroopna Recreation Reserve also.

Published in HomePage Featured

Tuesday, 07 March 2023 14:32

International Women's Day 2023

Written by VFBV

Each year on March 8 International Women’s Day celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women as well as calling for action to accelerate women’s equality.

The theme for International Women’s Day this year is #EmbraceEquity. This year’s theme acknowledges that everyone starts from different places, so true inclusion and belonging require equitable action.

Throughout CFA and VFBV, there are many examples of the contribution women make to our communities and our fire services. The work and decisions being made today to embrace diversity and inclusion will ensure more women are supported and encouraged into the fire services for future generations.

To each of the dedicated, highly skilled and much appreciated women in CFA and across all fire and emergency services, thank you for the contribution you make to making communities safer today and every day of the year.

Each of us can play a part in actively supporting and embracing equity within our own sphere of influence. This can include simple steps such as challenging stereotypes, calling out discrimination, drawing attention to bias and actively seeking out how to include others within our brigades, workplaces, communities, CFA and the wider emergency services across Victoria.

Members are reminded of our March editorial from last year that covered International Women’s Day history in great detail, including some helpful hints and tips that invite CFA members to reflect on how each of us can contribute to building inclusive brigade cultures where women are not only welcomed, but thrive. You can re-read that piece here: VFBV Newsletter - March 2022

We also take this opportunity on International Women’s Day to re-share below many of the profile stories of influential and inspirational women across CFA that continue to inspire us.

	Rowville Fire Brigade’s women leading the way

	Female firefighter Sheryl Batrouney talks about breaking the bias on the fireground

	Inspiring leader and Captain – Sheryn Gallagher

	Female Captains share stories for International Women's Day

	A celebration of CFA's rural women

	Volunteers honoured by road naming

	Creating connections and investing in our youth

	Diversity at the forefront for AFSM recipient

	Diamond Creek Fire Brigade boosts confidence in young members

	CFA celebrates International Women's Day

	Volunteers who are staff

	Following in the family's footsteps

	The joy of being a junior leader

	Faces of CFA - Leonie Turner, Hoddles Creek Fire Brigade

	A commitment to service

	A passion to lead CFA's next generation

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.

The first International Women’s Day gathering occurred in 1911, you can read more about the history of International Women’s Day on the International Women’s Day website.

https://www.internationalwomensday.com/Activity/15586/The-history-of-IWD

Published in HomePage Featured

Wednesday, 08 March 2023 12:24

March 2023 Newsletter

Written by VFBV

Volunteer Surge Capacity in Action
By Adam Barnett, VFBV Chief Executive Officer

By empowering, supporting and embracing local communities to contribute to fire safety, knowledge and participation, we build safer and more resilient communities.

The volunteer CFA model is based on the fundamental tenant of partnering with our communities to share responsibility for fire safety. It is based on the philosophy that if we share an understanding of how to recognise and understand risk and jointly accept responsibility for managing that risk, then we will be far more effective at reducing the occurrence and reduce the impact should an emergency occur. It accepts that because of the size and speed at which emergencies can develop, the best way to protect Victorians is to partner with them to prepare, prevent, mitigate, respond and support recovery from emergencies. Not to mention the incredible social capital and empowerment that emergency volunteering creates across the community.

This shared responsibility model encourages all Victorians to take actions, commensurate with their abilities to prevent, prepare and safely respond to emergencies. An integrated approach to emergency management brings together agencies, state government, local government, industry, non-government organisations and everyday Victorian’s to work together to protect lives and property from fire and other emergencies.

The strength of the CFA system is because it is built from the community and for the community – it is therefore intrinsically linked. It does not need to parachute personnel into communities in times of disaster, as its people are already living inside and part of each community. They already have existing relationships, partnerships and understanding of the local context. Members of the community come together to learn the skills and knowledge of disaster preparation, prevention, response and recovery that builds a timeless legacy that embeds these emergency management skills into the community.

When disaster does strike, these citizens don’t need to look up or study local priorities or seek local knowledge, it is already built into the system. Communities with strong brigades don’t look outside their community for help, they look within first. And provided they are adequately supported by government, they have the tools, equipment, resources and morale to provide the initial response as emergencies develop.

This is just as important during the recovery stages as well, because long after many others leave, it is the local brigades that remain to support and care for their communities as they transition to recovery.

The beauty of the CFA model is as a disaster grows, the system can top-up and provide critical backup and support to assist those communities during their times of need. What we refer to as the CFA volunteer surge capacity is exactly that – it is the ability of the 1,214 communities across Victoria who have all established, supported and contributed to their local volunteer fire brigade pitching in to help neighbouring communities, and at times even those from afar.

This massive surge force provides unparalleled weight of attack when fires threaten and can be mobilised quickly and efficiently right across the entire state without leaving any communities unprotected. Crews stay behind to defend the local community, while the surge is sent afar to assist others. Volunteer brigades have planned for these contingencies for decades, with many adding their own fundraising funds and precious time to purchase trucks and equipment above the minimum allotment that government provides. In what other workplace do the workers volunteer their own time and efforts to fundraise for critical equipment just to do the job they have been asked to do by the State? Imagine the boss passing around a cap for workers to donate to buy the pens and paper used by the office. Yet the State very generously provides that same equipment to its paid workforce paid for…you guessed it – by you and your community through tax dollars. This is why VFBV is so passionate about educating decision makers on the inequity and unfairness of the current system, that sees CFA as the most poorly funded fire service in Victoria, despite it also being by far the largest, most trusted and efficient.

Often times, volunteers have had to fight the very organisation they are donating the trucks to just to get permission to build and fund these critical assets. In fairness to CFA, their opposition often stems from the fact that once the asset is added to the organisation, CFA receives no additional funding from government to actually cover the maintenance and running costs. And pulled from the pages of a comedy skit, that leaves us with a shambolic arrangement where the agency can’t actually afford to accept millions of dollars of donated equipment that would ultimately become assets of the state and be on call during times of emergency.

Returning to the incredible surge capacity provided by volunteers, when it works well, we usually don’t hear much about it – because the emergency has been nipped in the bud, and controlled long before it has grown to a size that makes for compelling TV.

Case in point was the most recent TFB days that occurred in late February. With high temperatures, high gusty winds and a large amount of grassland fuel loads, these were the perfect conditions for dangerous fire behaviour.

For example, on the 24th Feb, a TFB was declared for the Wimmera and Southwest fire districts. Over the course of the day, 25 significant grass and scrub fires were responded to. The majority of those were controlled within an hour or two, with all of them controlled by the end of the day. In each case, the local response and weight of attack was outstanding. Our highly trained and professional volunteers did outstanding work sizing up the incidents and establishing control points on arrival. Each initiated calls for “make tankers” and provided word backs early, matching resources to the risk and ensuring an appropriate weight of attack could be achieved early and effectively. Volunteers doing what volunteers do best – just getting on with it.

The established practice of brigades pre-planning and having crews on standby was again highly effective and meant requests for additional tankers was met with ease.

So far, the largest blaze was the Flowerdale grass and scrub fire that began on the afternoon of the 21st February. Burning through very steep and inaccessible country, this fire was fanned by strong wind gusts and grew to over 500 hectares by the early evening. 56 CFA appliances, 15 FFMVic appliances and 9 aircraft battled the fire into the evening.

Three days later, the fire was brought under control, despite having grown to 1,000 hectares in size. An incredible achievement. Despite posing a threat to multiple homes, there have been no confirmed loss of homes, nor any confirmed reports of livestock losses. This is an outstanding result and has been attributed to early asset protection initiated by the crews and the incredible skill of the responding crews. Only measuring the success by loss is always flawed, with these examples highlighting the incredible ‘saves’ that occur at each incident.

These are just a couple of examples of the fantastic work that gets done every day by CFA volunteers in partnership with other ESO’s and the community to protect and defend their communities during emergencies.

Why is this all so important. Because Victoria is one of the most fire prone places in the world. With changing weather, longer fire seasons driven by our changing climate and urban sprawl encroaching our forested areas, the need to build, strengthen and protect Victoria’s CFA volunteer surge capacity is critical.

Asking less people to do more is not going to be sustainable nor in the best interests of the Victorian public. It would be a very brave politician, commissioner or bureaucrat that is prepared to testify at the next Bushfires Royal Commission that they were comfortable not doing anything to bolster and grow Victoria’s volunteer capacity to deal with the ever increasing emergencies that we will face in the future.

VFBV continues to advocate for greater government support in recognising and promoting the great work all our emergency service volunteers do, and the need to encourage, educate and promote the importance to the wider community in order to drive recruitment, retention and high morale. The need to protect the large volunteer surge capacity drawn from metropolitan areas is critical to ensure we are prepared for those major disasters when they strike. The regularity of large fires like Ash Wednesday, Black Saturday and the 2019/20 Australian eastern seaboard fires provide a clear impetus of what we must plan and prepare for, and what is at risk if we don’t.

Anything or any policy that continues to erode or disincentivise Victoria’s emergency service volunteers will one day be scrutinised by public enquiry. And the question we will be asking is - what did you do to build, protect, support or encourage Victoria’s most treasured and efficient pubic asset, Victoria’s CFA?

VALE

It is with great sadness we learned of the passing of VFBV Life member Ron Jacobs OAM AFSM on the 25th February.

Ron was a Life Member of the Chelsea Fire Brigade (now Patterson River) and held the position of Association Secretary for the Victorian Urban Fire Brigades Association (VUFBA) from July 1984 until July 1993 and was honoured with VUFBA Life Membership in 1995.

Ron was awarded the Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM) in the 1992 Queen’s Birthday Honours list and was further recognised with the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the 2012 Queen’s Birthday Honours List for service to the local community through roles with historical, local government and emergency service organisations.

Ron was also heavily involved in urban competitions as a competitor and also spent more than 30 years on the Executive of the Eastern Districts and Flinders Associations and was awarded the VUFBA Gold Star in 1986.

Ron was also the father of long serving VFBV Staff Member and fellow Association Life Member Jenni Laing.

We pass on our deepest condolences to Jenni, her siblings Bruce and John and the wider family, and members of Patterson River Fire Brigade.

International Women's Day 2023

Each year on March 8 International Women’s Day celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women as well as calling for action to accelerate women’s equality.

The theme for International Women’s Day this year is #EmbraceEquity. This year’s theme acknowledges that everyone starts from different places, so true inclusion and belonging require equitable action.

Throughout CFA and VFBV, there are many examples of the contribution women make to our communities and our fire services. The work and decisions being made today to embrace diversity and inclusion will ensure more women are supported and encouraged into the fire services for future generations.

To each of the dedicated, highly skilled and much appreciated women in CFA and across all fire and emergency services, thank you for the contribution you make to making communities safer today and every day of the year.

Each of us can play a part in actively supporting and embracing equity within our own sphere of influence. This can include simple steps such as challenging stereotypes, calling out discrimination, drawing attention to bias and actively seeking out how to include others within our brigades, workplaces, communities, CFA and the wider emergency services across Victoria.

Members are reminded of our March editorial from last year that covered International Women’s Day history in great detail, including some helpful hints and tips that invite CFA members to reflect on how each of us can contribute to building inclusive brigade cultures where women are not only welcomed, but thrive. You can re-read that piece here.

We also take this opportunity on International Women’s Day to re-share many of the profile stories of influential and inspirational women across CFA that continue to inspire us, visit the VFBV website for links to these profiles.

Tony’s Trek

On 10 March 2023, Inspector-General for Emergency Management (and Chair of the Emergency Services Foundation) Tony Pearce will start Tony’s Trek – a 1440km solo charity walk through Victoria to support new mental health initiatives to benefit our emergency management community.

Covering the area from Melbourne to Mallacoota and across the Alpine Range to Wodonga before heading back to Melbourne, Tony’s Trek aims to raise awareness and support for building collaborative sector-wide mental health initiatives led by the Emergency Services Foundation (ESF).

VFBV encourages brigades and groups to get behind Tony’s Trek, and think about how they might be able to assist with fundraising and promoting the initiative as Tony’s Trek makes its way across the route.

Posters and promotional material are available to support brigades get behind this important initiative. To find out more, donate or get involved go to www.esf.com.au/tonys-trek/

2023 State Championships
Later in March the 2023 State Championships will be held over consecutive weekends at the Mooroopna Recreation Reserve.

The first weekend of competition will be for the Urban Junior State Championship on 18 and 19 March with 41 teams competing in 18 events over the two days. Harvey and Kellerberrin brigades are also making the trip across from Western Australia to compete in the Urban Junior Championship with Harvey also competing the Urban Senior Championship the following weekend.

On the following weekend, 25 and 26 March the Urban Senior Championship and the Rural Senior and Junior Championships will be held. Across this weekend there will be 75 senior teams and 40 junior teams.

Across both weekends the Championships will also be supported by more than 200 judges and officials who have volunteered their time and expertise to ensure the successful conduct of the State Championships.

The popular and impressive Torchlight Procession will again also be conducted on the evening of Saturday 25 March at Victoria Lake Park in Shepparton, with 2023 marking 150 years since the first demonstration and display of Victoria’s volunteer firefighters was held in 1873 which included a Torchlight Procession through the streets of Melbourne.

Participation in the Torchlight Procession is also open to brigades not competing in State Championship events. Any brigade wishing to participate in the Torchlight Procession should contact Peter Davis This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 0458 933 797 as soon as possible.

Information for competing brigades has been sent out, this information is also available for download from the VFBV website for the State Rural Championships and the State Urban Junior and Urban Senior Championships.

Radio Allocation Policy

Feedback is being sought on CFA’s proposed new Radio Allocation policy and procedure.

The new policy and procedure has been developed in preparation for the planned rollout of CFA’s replacement to the operational radio fleet. The revised policy and procedure covers the radio justification criteria and outlines the initial allocation of radio’s to brigades, groups, appliances and officers.

Feedback can be provided by individuals, brigades, groups and District Councils. Due to procurement activities, feedback is due by Wednesday 15th March 2023.

Please visit the VFBV website for more information, including copies of the policy and procedure.

CFA Alcohol and Other Drugs Policy

Feedback is being sought on a new draft policy covering Alcohol and other drugs, including prescription medication.

The draft policy covers arrangements for the appointment of a ‘responsible officer’, when alcohol can be consumed and a ban on brigades from applying for a new liquor license, with existing licenses able to be kept.

All members are encouraged to read and provide feedback ASAP. Feedback is due by Monday 8th May 2023.

Please visit the VFBV website for more information and a copy of the draft policy.

CFA Board Positions

The CFA Act recognises that it is important that the CFA Board has strong volunteer expertise, knowledge and an understanding of CFA volunteers. To support this, four of the skills-based CFA Board members are appointed by the Minister for Emergency Services from a panel of names submitted by VFBV.

This year, the terms of two volunteer nominees will expire in December 2023, with both members eligible for re-appointment. One is for a volunteer from brigades predominantly serving rural communities, and the other being for a volunteer from brigades predominantly serving urban communities.

CFA volunteers who believe they have the skills, experience and capacity to make a contribution to the Board of CFA are invited to apply. In addition to volunteer experience and knowledge, nomination will have regard to any of the following - knowledge of or experience in; commercial; technical; operational; legal or financial matters; expertise in fire or emergency management; land management; or any other field relevant to the performance of the functions of CFA.

VFBV is seeking applications from gender and culturally diverse candidates in addition to a diverse range of skills and experience including applications from diverse brigade types and classifications.

Members should familiarise themselves with the CFA Board Charter and further information on the application process is available from the VFBV website or via the office at (03) 9886 1141.

Applications close on Monday 26th June 2023.

VFBV Board Positions

Vacancies on the VFBV Board will arise when the terms of four VFBV Board members expire on the 1st October 2023. Of the four members whose terms are expiring, two are eligible for re-appointment.

VFBV invites applications from any CFA volunteer who is motivated by the prospect of making a difference and believes they have the skills to contribute to the VFBV Board.

The role of a board member involves contributing to VFBV direction, policy determination and monitoring the performance and governance of the Association. This includes actively contributing to policy discussion, consulting with CFA volunteers and contributing to the identification and management of strategic issues.

VFBV is seeking applications from gender and culturally diverse candidates in addition to a diverse range of skills and experience including applications from diverse brigade types and classifications.

Members should familiarise themselves with the VFBV Board member role statement and key selection criteria available from the VFBV website or via the office at (03) 9886 1141.

Applications close on Monday 28th August 2023.

Quarterly Supplement

Included with the March 2023 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.

Nominations for Trust Fund
VFBV is calling for nominations to the CFA and Brigades Donations Fund.

The purpose of the fund is to raise and receive money and donations of goods and services from the public for distribution to brigades to assist with costs of purchasing and maintaining firefighting equipment, facilities, training and administrative expenses which are associated with their firefighting functions.

Following nominations, five new or reappointed members will be appointed by the VFBV Board to serve as VFBV Trustees on the fund for a term of two years.

All current trustees are eligible for re-appointment.

Please visit the VFBV website for details.

Nominations close on Monday 19th June 2023.

Recent articles on the VFBV website
Feedback Requested – Revised Radio Allocation Policy and Procedure

Feedback Requested – Draft CFA Alcohol and Other Drugs Policy

CFA & Brigades Donations Fund Nominations

CFA Board Vacancies

VFBV Board Vacancies

International Women's Day 2023

Enjoy 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.

Want to read the VFBV 2-minute briefings from the CFA/VFBV Joint Committees?
The latest edition along with previous editions can be downloaded from the VFBV website here.

Published in HomePage Featured

Friday, 03 March 2023 10:32

CFA Board Positions - Invitation to Apply

Written by VFBV

Inviting Applications for the CFA Board

Applications close Monday 26th June 2023.

The CFA Act recognises that it is important that the CFA Board has strong volunteer expertise, knowledge and understanding of CFA volunteers. To support this, four of the skills-based CFA Board members are appointed by the Minister for Emergency Services from a panel of names submitted by VFBV.

This year, the terms of two volunteer nominees will expire in December 2023, with both members eligible for re-appointment. One is for a volunteer from brigades predominantly serving rural communities, and the other being for a volunteer from brigades predominantly serving urban communities.

VFBV are now seeking further applications from any CFA volunteer interested in applying for these two volunteer-nominated positions on the CFA Board.

CFA volunteers who believe they have the skills, experience and capacity to make a contribution to the Board of the CFA are invited to apply.

In addition to volunteer experience and knowledge, selection will haver regard to any of the following: knowledge of, or experience in, commercial, technical, operational, legal or financial matters; or expertise in fire or emergency management, land management or any other field relevant to the performance of the functions of CFA.

VFBV is seeking gender and culturally diverse candidates, in additional to a diverse range of skills and experience including applicants from diverse brigade type and classifications.

From applications received and following a selection process including interviews. VFBV will submit a panel of names to the Minister for Emergency Services.

The CFA Board meets on a monthly basis, usually on a Monday and also operates a committee system which could require an additional commitment of at least one day per month. Regular attendance at official functions and brigade/group events is also expected.

The appointment to the CFA Board would be for a period of up to three years.

The CFA Board Charter and Position Description are available for download below.

Application process

Applications must include:

1. A cover letter outlining why you are interested in applying, your experience relevant to a Board position, your volunteer background and experience, and any further information to address the key selection criteria contained within the position description.

2. A completed ‘Quick Self Summary’ (available for download below)

3. A current resume

4. Names and contact details of two referee’s

Applications should be marked Private & Confidential, and addressed to VFBV CEO via:

Post: VFBV, 9/24 Lakeside Drive, Burwood East VIC 3151

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Applicants will be contacted regarding any further steps involved in the selection process which will include interviews held via videoconferencing or in person as well as reference checks.

For other relevant information, interested volunteers can email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Applications close Monday 26th June 2023.

Published in HomePage Featured

Friday, 03 March 2023 09:59

VFBV Board Vacancies - Invitation to Apply

Written by VFBV

Invitation open to all CFA volunteers to apply

Closing date for written applications is Monday 28th August 2023.

VFBV advances the interests for all Victorian fire brigade volunteers and advocates on their behalf to CFA and other key stakeholders. The VFBV Board drives policy development based on volunteer input and is involved in the management of issues of central importance to all CFA volunteers.

VFBV invites applications from any CFA volunteer who is motivated by the prospect of making a difference and believes they have the skills to contribute to the VFBV Board.

Vacancies on the VFBV Board will arise when the terms of four VFBV Board members expire on the 1st October 2023. Of the four members whose terms are expiring, two members are eligible for re-appointment.

The term of appointment will be to 1st October 2025 (two years) and applications are invited from interested volunteers to be considered for these vacancies.

The role of a VFBV Board Member involves contributing to VFBV direction, policy determination and monitoring the performance and governance of the Association. This includes actively contributing to policy discussion, consulting with CFA volunteers and contributing to the identification and management of strategic issues.

This is an honorary position; no honorarium is paid.

VFBV is seeking applications from gender and culturally diverse candidates, in additional to a diverse range of skills and experience including from applicants from diverse brigade types and classifications.

Prior to applying you should familiarise yourself with the following documents, each available for download at the bottom of this page:

VFBV Board Member Role Statement including key selection criteria
VFBV Board Code of Conduct Policy and Declaration
VFBV Conflict of Interest Policy and Declaration

How to apply

If you are motivated by the prospect of making a difference for CFA volunteers, then send your written application addressing the following:

The key selection criteria in the role statement
An outline of your VFBV involvement and experience or in the case of there being none – outline how you have supported or advocated for VFBV positions/campaigns or support CFA volunteer improvements
An outline of your CFA activity
A resume, including the names of two referees

Applications must be lodged with VFBV by Monday 28th August 2023.

Applications should be marked Private and Confidential and addressed to: VFBV, 9/24 Lakeside Drive, Burwood East VIC 3151

Or via email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or fax (03) 9886 1618

If you have any queries, please feel free to contact the VFBV office on (03) 9886 1141.

Published in HomePage Featured

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Friday, 03 March 2023 09:43

Nominations for CFA and Brigades Donations Fund

Written by VFBV

Nominations close Monday 19th June 2023.

VFBV is calling for nominations to the CFA and Brigades Donations Fund.

The purpose of the Fund is to raise and receive money and donations of goods and services from the public for distribution to Brigades to assist with the costs of purchasing and maintaining firefighting equipment, facilities, training and resources and administrative expenses of Brigades which are associated with their firefighting functions.

Following nominations, five new or reappointed members will be appointed by the VFBV Board to serve as VFBV Trustees on the Fund for a term of two years.

All current Trustees are eligible for re-appointment.

The Trust Fund meets quarterly, either virtually or at CFA Headquarters.

The appointments to the Fund come into effect as from the Trust’s AGM which is normally held in July/August.

How to apply

If you are interested in nominating as a VFBV Trustee, please provide a written application addressing the following:

1. A cover letter detailing your enthusiasm for the role and outlining key experience you can bring to the role;

2. A Resume

Nominations close on Monday 19th June 2023 and can be mailed to the VFBV office, 9/24 Lakeside Drive, Burwood East 3151 or emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Published in HomePage Featured

Friday, 17 February 2023 16:02

Feedback Requested - Revised Radio Allocation Policy and Procedure

Written by VFBV

Formal consultation has commenced on a revised suite of policies and procedures for radio allocation in preparation for the planned rollout of CFA's replacement to the operational radio fleet.

The proposed draft policy and procedure and related schedules is available for download from the bottom of this page.

For the purposes of consultation and to assist you navigate the various documents, we highlight the following:

• The policy establishes guidelines to ensure CFA is allocating radios in the most effective, practical and systematic way

• The policy establishes that CFA will monitor underutilized radios and reallocate them instead of issuing additional radios in the first instance

• The procedure outlines the Radio Operational Justification criteria

• Schedule 1 provides the proposed radio allocation matrix

• Schedule 3 is the proposed Operational Justification Assessment guide

Members are encouraged to review the draft policy and procedure and provide any feedback/suggestions/amendments including indicating support/non-support for the proposed documents.

Feedback can be provided by individuals, brigades and groups.

All feedback is used to inform and influence formal VFBV positions as well as used to influence CFA positions and thinking during the deliberative process. If we need to use your feedback to demonstrate or illustrate the views of members, your personal details will not be shared with CFA, and feedback will always be de-identified to protect your privacy.

We encourage members not to wait until deadlines to provide feedback, but rather provide it as early as possible which will give us a chance to conduct further research that may assist us being able to advocate more strongly for your desired outcome.

Feedback is due by Wednesday 15th March, 2023.

All members are welcome and encouraged to provide feedback. If you have any questions, please contact your local State Councilor or VFBV Support Officer in the first instance.

How to provide feedback:

It would be preferred that members provide feedback ASAP, so that it can be received incrementally, allowing us enough time to consolidate, identify trends and research issues raised by members.

Feedback can be provided via:

Emailing to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Complete a short survey via CFA Radio Allocation Policy and Procedure (zohopublic.com.au)
Your local VFBV District Council or your local VFBV Support Officer
By Post: 9/24 Lakeside Drive, Burwood East VIC 3151
By Fax: (03) 9886 1618

Feedback does not need to be long or detailed, but if you do have the time to make substantive comment that is always welcome.

If you generally support a principle or policy, then a quick note letting us know would also be helpful. Similarly, let us know if you do not support it, or which aspects of it you don't support.

Where indicating non-support, it would be helpful to understand the key reasons why, and even a couple of brief bullet points would be adequate. Likewise, if you would prefer to provide a more detailed response, or mark-up and suggest changes to the documents, that is welcome also.

Your feedback will assist us form a VFBV position and response to the proposed changes and help us advocate on behalf of CFA volunteers. Please consider getting involved, and providing us your feedback ASAP.

Please remember to provide feedback in support as well as against. If we only hear from those who are against, it can be harder to determine the general comfort level of members with the proposals.

Published in HomePage Featured

Friday, 17 February 2023 12:44

Feedback Requested - Draft CFA Alcohol and Other Drugs Policy

Written by VFBV

Formal consultation has commenced on a draft CFA Policy covering the use of Alcohol and other drugs.

The proposed draft policy is available for download from the bottom of this page.

For the purposes of consultation, CFA has advised that this policy:

• Applies to employees and volunteers equally

• Aims to ensure the ongoing health and safety of CFA members around alcohol and other drugs

• Has no requirement for alcohol or drug testing

• Provides all members with clear guidelines for acceptable practices in relation to the legal and responsible consumption of alcohol at CFA activities and events

• Provides guidance for members taking prescription or over the counter drugs that may adversely affect or impair their ability to perform duties safely

• Provides information for drug and alcohol counselling and support services

Members are encouraged to review the draft policy and provide any feedback/suggestions/amendments including indicating support/non-support for the proposed policy.

In particular, VFBV is keen to hear volunteer views on:

• The arrangements for a 'responsible officer' to be appointed and present during the consumption of alcohol

• The ability for new brigades to apply for a liquor licence (community club or BYO licence) will not be permitted once this policy comes into effect

• Is the general policy advice and language easy to understand and follow

Feedback can be provided by individuals, brigades and groups.

All feedback is used to inform and influence formal VFBV positions as well as used to influence CFA positions and thinking during the deliberative process. If we need to use your feedback to demonstrate or illustrate the views of members, your personal details will not be shared with CFA, and feedback will always be de-identified to protect your privacy.

We encourage members not to wait until deadlines to provide feedback, but rather provide it as early as possible which will give us a chance to conduct further research that may assist us being able to advocate more strongly for your desired outcome.

Feedback is due by Monday 8th May, 2023.

All members are welcome and encouraged to provide feedback. If you have any questions, please contact your local State Councillor or VFBV Support Officer in the first instance.

How to provide feedback:

It would be preferred that members provide feedback ASAP, so that it can be received incrementally, allowing us enough time to consolidate, identify trends and research issues raised by members.

Feedback can be provided via:

Emailing to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Complete a short survey via CFA Alcohol and Other Drugs Policy (zohopublic.com.au)
Your local VFBV District Council or your local VFBV Support Officer
By Post: 9/24 Lakeside Drive, Burwood East VIC 3151
By Fax: (03) 9886 1618

Feedback does not need to be long or detailed, but if you do have the time to make substantive comment that is always welcome.

If you generally support a principle or policy, then a quick note letting us know would also be helpful. Similarly, let us know if you do not support it, or which aspects of it you don't support.

Where indicating non-support, it would be helpful to understand the key reasons why, and even a couple of brief bullet points would be adequate. Likewise, if you would prefer to provide a more detailed response, or mark-up and suggest changes to the documents, that is welcome also.

Your feedback will assist us form a VFBV position and response to the proposed changes and help us advocate on behalf of CFA volunteers. Please consider getting involved, and providing us your feedback ASAP.

Please remember to provide feedback in support as well as against. If we only hear from those who are against, it can be harder to determine the general comfort level of members with the proposals.

Published in HomePage Featured

Wednesday, 08 February 2023 16:28

February 2023 Newsletter

Written by VFBV

From the Ashes
By Adam Barnett, VFBV Chief Executive Officer

There is a quote attributed to ‘The Second Ash Wednesday’ by Bardsley, Fraser and Heathcote that says ‘the lesson of experience is that we do not learn from experience’. There is a more poetic version used by University of Wollongong academics Eriksen and Head that describe the ‘repetitive rhythm in its findings’ to describe Australian bushfire research, reviews and the topics that arise following major bushfires in Australia.

I don’t use these quotes to suggest that we have learned nothing from previous fires, in fact the contrary would be true. And fire services in particular have often led the charge. But how about the wider emergency management sector and instrumentalities including local government?

I pose the question of whether we have maximised the learnings of these disasters using the benefit of time and hindsight long after the public focus fades from memory? Have we really done enough to embed these learnings into today’s context, especially given the very high price we have paid in terms of the loss of precious life from many of these disasters.

In the forward of ‘Ash Wednesday in Upper Beaconsfield’ published nine years after Ash Wednesday in 1992, Ian Symons AFSM, who was at that time a CFA Chief Superintendent and OIC of the then Region 8 writes; “This book provides a picture of what did happen almost ten years ago and how today’s community grew out of the ashes. It also provides a stark warning of what could happen again if we forget the lessons of the past.” Ian, who continues to be a committed CFA volunteer today, rounds out his foreword with the following sage advice: “I hope that those who read it will be motivated to take whatever preventative measures and actions they can to help avoid such devastation and community disruption from occurring again.”

This month will mark 40 years since the Ash Wednesday fires of the 16th February 1983.

For a quarter of a decade, these fires were the deadliest bushfires in Australian history until the Black Saturday fires of 2009. Across Victoria and South Australia, a total of 75 people died, including 14 CFA volunteers and 3 CFS volunteers.

The lead up to Ash Wednesday depicts the perilous state of affairs that preceded that fateful day. Victoria was in drought. Rainfall was low, and summer rainfall in particular was down 75% from previous years.

The Victorian bushfire season commenced in November 1982, and the earliest total fire ban day ever declared at the time, was made on the 24 November 1982. There were to be 22 total fire bans declared during the 1982/83 fire season.

Large fires burned from 3 December to 1 February 1983 affecting Ballan, Cann River, Mount Donna Buang, and Mount Macedon.

On the 9th February 1983 strong wind gusts lifted over 200,000 tonnes of soil and dirt into the air and mixed it with the smoke from the fires to create a vast dust storm that blanketed southern Australia.

By early morning on Ash Wednesday, 104 fires were already burning across Victoria with many of those controlled by 2pm. A hot dry northerly pushed temperatures into the 40s and humidity levels dropped below 15% creating a tinderbox of fine fuels across the State.

By 3pm a cold front hit South Australia with a change of wind direction and winds of up to 100km per hour that then travelled towards Victoria reaching the Victorian fire fronts in the late afternoon and early evening. The wind change caused fires to merge and caused the long flank sides of many of the running fires to become the front, with the wind fanning extreme conditions. Most of the losses of life occurred in the hour following the wind change.

CFA attended 180 different fires throughout the State on that day, eight of which were considered of major proportions affecting Cudgee/Ballangeich; East Trentham/ Mount Macedon; Otway ranges; Belgrave Heights/ Beaconsfield Upper; Cockatoo; Monivae; Branxholme; and Warburton.

In addition to the fatalities, the statistics of that fire season are confronting. On Ash Wednesday alone, 2,080 homes were destroyed or damaged; 32,750 head of stock were lost; 8,000 kilometres of fencing were burnt, and 200,000 hectares were burnt. When accounting for all fires over the 1982/83 fire season, the Forestry Commission recorded that more than 606,000 hectares (including 486,000ha of parks and forests) were burnt. For comparison the 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission recorded 173 fatalities and 430,000 hectares burnt.

From Ash Wednesday came many improvements to the fire services. Refined ‘Red flag’ warnings and the intricate processes to ensure all crew members are advised of changing conditions is one example. Another example arose from CFA highlighting the problems arising when police refused access to CFA volunteers and CFA tankers into the fire areas on the grounds that the conditions were too dangerous. This highlighted that police had taken on a controlling role under DISPLAN rather than a coordinating one, and had unilaterally overridden the statutory powers of the CFA Chief Officer and impacted fire suppression. This was rectified with haste ensuring all agencies understood that CFA has by law unfettered access to all fire areas under direction of the Chief Officer.

The lack of a dedicated fire prevention department within CFA was also highlighted, which resulted in the commissioning of community safety and fire prevention officers within CFA and what we know today as the community preparedness directorate to lead public education and safety messages.

As too were improvements in heat shielding and ensuring all tankers were fitted with heat shields to protect crews. The vaporisation of fuels that inflicted CFA tankers highlighted the need to transition to diesel fuels which had much higher flashpoints.

One only needs to look at the pictures of Ash Wednesday to observe the standard of personal protective clothing in use at the time. To quote the bushfire review committee “Adequate protective clothing is needed for all firefighters and should include helmet, overalls, gloves, boots and suitable eye protection.”

And training was identified as a major issue, with the committee recommending the need for wider use of survival training for individual firefighters. One only needs to review CFA’s current recruit training and annual burn over drill requirements to see the genesis of these modern-days safety improvements.

So, what are some of the things that might be worth revisiting?

The Ash Wednesday fires bought to light the perilous state of municipal disaster plans. The report into the bushfires found that only 41 out of the 211 municipalities were reported as having disaster plans.

Given that the requirement to have regional and municipal fire prevention committees was excised from the CFA Act in 2018 and replaced with broader ‘emergency management plans’ under EMV - how confident are we these plans are actually an improvement and are adequately setting in motion the required annual works to mitigate and treat bushfire risks on public and private property?

The actual recommendation from the bushfires review was “Local authorities must heed the advice of Regional and Local Advisory Committees concerning fire hazard control and take action accordingly; if necessary, local authorities should be placed under stronger mandatory requirements.” And “Some municipal fire prevention plans are below the required standard because of inappropriate proper officers, or no proper officers at all. Proper officers should be replaced by fulltime Fire Prevention Officers with independent powers. “

And then there are these two recommendations: “Responsibility for roadside fire prevention measures must be clearly defined, and implemented accordingly.” Followed by “Local government legislation should be amended so that conservation interests cannot overbear sensible fire prevention and protection measures.”

Forty years on – how do we think progress on those last two recommendations would be judged? The same difficulties of planned and fuel reduction burning that we are reporting today echoes throughout the bushfire review committees final report.

The report also articulates the value of the CFA model and is worth quoting in full.

“The intricacy and breadth of activity involved in preparedness and response at local community level underlines the value and indispensable nature of the voluntary effort which is forthcoming from within the community itself. This is particularly so in the case of CFA but the contribution made by other community- related organisations (such as local SES units, Red Cross, Country Women’s Association, Church bodies, WICEN, hospital auxiliaries) must not be overlooked. In a very real sense, therefore, the local community participation constitutes a resource without which successful counter bushfire and other-disaster action cannot be achieved.”

“A viable alternative to the current CFA system would, in the view of the Committee, be difficult, if not impossible, to find and would be prohibitively expensive. This local resource and contribution must be preserved. Moreover, it must be given all possible support and assistance to function effectively. Thus policy and organisational measures which are applied from regional and State Government level, must be designed to give proper weight to the CFA system.”

How would current policy be judged against this wisdom paid for by the blood and sweat of the thousands of Victorian’s involved in the 1983 bushfires?

To all those members who were involved in the Ash Wednesday Fires, and those of the 1982/83 bushfire season, we pause this month to remember and pay tribute to your sacrifice and tremendous efforts. On behalf of all volunteers I say thank-you.

To policy makers and those in positions of authority, please honour our fallen and the sacrifices of the living by heeding the wisdom and foresight of these past disasters and reviews so we are not doomed to repeat them.

I close this month’s column with the words from the Spirit of CFA to honour all members who stand in defence of their communities.

Hailing from all walks of life, you are our fathers and mothers, our brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, our grandparents, neighbours and our friends. You help and protect us, without wanting or recognition of reward. In our time of need you are there. Your courage and compassion are inspiring, your loyalty unquestionable. You comfort us with a tender hand; you stand at the face of nature’s beast and fight for our lives and our land. You are the essence of the true meaning of community. You epitomise the Australian spirit, the spirit of CFA.

Final Days

The Vol Survey will be closing on Wednesday 15 February. Scan the QR code below, or visit the VFBV website to complete it today.

2023 State Championships: Entries Closing Soon

Entries for the 2023 State Championships as well as judge and officials registration are closing soon.

Brigade and team entries will again be collected online for the 2023 championships. Please visit tinyurl.com/2023-champ-entry-open for links to enter your team or register as a judge or official for any of the championships by Sunday 19 February 2023.

The State Championships will again be held in Mooroopna in 2023 with the Urban Junior competition taking place on the weekend of 18 and 19 March. The following weekend, 25 and 26 March, the Urban Senior and Rural State Championships will take place.

The 2023 will also mark 150 years since the recorded official demonstration which involved brigades from across Victoria to demonstrate their skills to people of Melbourne. This first demonstration commenced with a Torchlight Procession through the streets of Melbourne. While many of the competition events have changed since 1873 the Torchlight Procession has remained largely unchanged and will be conducted again at the 2023 State Championships following a successful return in 2022.

Participation in the torchlight procession is open to all brigades competing at the Urban Senior and Rural Championships as well as any interested non-competing brigades. If your brigade is interested in participating in the Torchlight Procession, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to register your brigade’s participation.

Visit the VFBV website to register for any of the 2023 State Championships. The website also has information for competing brigades, updated rule books for both the urban and rural competitions as well as lists of local competitions being conducted in the lead up to the State Championships.

If you require an assistance during the registration process or for more information on the Championships, please contact the VFBV office on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 9886 1141.

Ash Wednesday

A reminder that the 40-year commemoration of the Ash Wednesday fires of 1983 service will be held on Sunday 12th February 2023 at the Ash Wednesday Bushfire Education Centre in Cockatoo.

In person bookings are now closed. The service will be live streamed for those unable to attend on the day and will be available from the CFA website.

CFA Donations Trust: Call for Trustees
The VFBV Board is calling for nominations from interested volunteers interested in being a VFBV appointed trustee to the CFA and Brigades Donations Fund.

The purpose of the Fund is to raise and receive money and donations of goods and services from the public for distribution to Brigades to assist with costs of purchasing and maintaining firefighting equipment, facilities, training and resources and administrative expenses of Brigades which are associated with their firefighting functions.

Over recent years this Trust has been very busy managing the donations received following the 2019/20 bushfire season, with initiatives such as the District pick list program where brigades could select from.

Following nominations, five new or reappointed members will be appointed by the VFBV Board to serve as VFBV Trustees on the Fund for a term of two years.

All current Trustees are eligible for re-appointment.

The Trust Fund committee meets quarterly, either via teleconference or at CFA HQ.

Nominations close Friday 16th June 2023 and can be mailed to VFBV office, 9/24 Lakeside Drive, Burwood East 3151 or emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

AFSM honours

The 2023 Australia Day Honours list recognised five CFA members for their contribution to the Victorian community among more than 1,000 recipients of honours announced on Australia Day.

Recipients of the AFSM were Mark Cartledge, Neil Marshall, Michael Rowe, Robert ‘Toddy’ Small and Ken Stuart.

VFBV congratulates these five CFA members for their outstanding contribution to the broader community along with the other Australian’s recognised in the Australia Day honours list this year.

Two Fire Rescue Victoria members also received the Australian Fire Service Medal in the honours, Assistant Chief Fire Officer Tony O’Day and Acting Assistant Chief Fire Officer Guy McCrorie. VFBV extend our congratulations to both Tony and Guy also.

You can read more about each of the CFA recipients on the VFBV website.

Fire Wise – February 2023 online only edition

The February 2023 edition of Fire Wise has been published online only, this edition and past editions are available from the Fire Wise website.

You can support Fire Wise and the role it plays as an independent voice in keeping volunteers informed by becoming a subscriber. To become a Fire Wise subscriber visit the Fire Wise website or contact the Managing Editor of Fire Wise, Gordon Rippon-King either by phone 0402 051 412 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Recent articles on the VFBV website
Now Open – 2022 VFBV Volunteer Welfare & Efficiency Survey

2023 State Championships Entries Now Open

Australia Day Honours 2023

Enjoy 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.

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CFA Volunteers are the unpaid professionals of our Emergency Services. VFBV is their united voice, and speaks on behalf of Victoria's 60,000 CFA Volunteers.

VFBV

HomePage Featured (447)

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2023 State Rural Junior Championship Results

2023 State Rural Senior Championship Results

2023 State Championships This Weekend

2023 State Urban Junior Championship Results

2023 State Urban Junior Championship This Weekend

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Nominations for CFA and Brigades Donations Fund

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Feedback Requested - Draft CFA Alcohol and Other Drugs Policy

February 2023 Newsletter

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