Reefton CFA’s Andy McDonald, right, was joined by state MPs Danielle Green and Tammy Lobato for the unveiling of the official opening plaque. Looking on are Reefton CFA volunteers, from left, Ross Minifie, Sue Holman, Andrew Kane, Jedda Edwards, Zoey McDonald, Maria Hammond, Kath Walrond and Josh McDonald.By Kath Gannaway
EMERGENCY services in the outer Upper Yarra region were boosted on Sunday with the official opening of Reefton Fire Brigade’s new $360,000 fire station.
Parliamentary Secretary for Emergency Services PM Danielle Green was joined by the brigade’s First Lieutenant Andy McDonald for the official unveiling of a bronze plaque marking the event.
Gembrook MP Tammy Lobato, Shire of Yarra Ranges mayor Tim Heenan, CFA Yarra area general manager Lex de Man and other CFA and emergency service representatives joined Reefton CFA volunteers and local community members for what is seen as recognition of the valuable contribution made by the small brigade.
The brigade was formed after the Ash Wednesday fires in 1983 and had outgrown its existing shed and meeting room.
“This new facility provides a modern, more spacious home for the brigade’s members, who are all volunteers,” Ms Green said.
“Although the brigade is relatively young, both the brigade and the trucks had outgrown the previous station.
“It was too small for the brigade’s needs – new fire trucks could not fit through the doors,” she said.
The new station has two engine bays, a meeting room, office, kitchen, workshop and watertank.
Ms Green said it would not only enhance conditions and service delivery for the people of Reefton and surrounding districts but, in the case of prolonged or major emergency incidents, could be used for multi-agency purposes.
Mr McDonald, who stood in for brigade captain Danny Bennett, said members had an earlier opportunity to inspect the station and were tremendously excited by the modern facilities and the space.
“We were like kids opening our presents on Christmas Day,” he said.
“What we have been given here is phenomenal.”
He said one of the brigade’s tankers had to touch the back of the station to get them to fit in and that much of what the brigade had in the way of a meeting room had been provided by brigade and community members over the years.
“It was functional but to have a modern station like this is something our new members and our juniors can take pride in and build on as the brigade grows.”
Ms Lobato congratulated the brigade members who she said had served the community well over the past quarter of a decade.
“The Reefton Fire Brigade comprises 20 active volunteer members, some of which have been with the brigade since its formation,” she said.
“The Reefton CFA does a fantastic job serving our local community throughout the year. This new station is well deserved and today is a great day for Reefton.”
The Reefton station is the first to be officially opened of the 18 new fire stations promised in the lead-up to the 2006 state election as part of an $8.8 million funding package.
Ms Green thanked CFA volunteers for their fantastic efforts in protecting Victorians and property from fire and other emergencies every day.
