By JESSE GRAHAM
THOUSANDS of dollars from sold artworks will bolster the Warburton Fire Brigade, after decommissioned helmets were made into art and auctioned off last week, in a special event at Coombe’s Melba Estate.
The HelmART exhibition featured 32 decommissioned fire helmets, which were turned over to Yarra Valley artists and made into works of art.
From decorative paintings and mosaics, to miniature gardens and even a functional lamp, the former helmets took on a new life and adorned the walls of the Coombe gallery from 22 May to 2 June.
On Tuesday 2 June, the helmets were auctioned off, raking in about $2500 for the Warburton Fire Brigade.
Warburton Fire Brigade’s Centenary Events co-ordinator, Leila Smith, said the exhibition was organised for the brigade’s 100th birthday.
“As part of that, we were trying to engage various community members to be able to help celebrate the occasion,” she said.
“It started off as a fun project; something a little bit different to engage the artists.”
She said the response to the exhibition had been “amazing”, and that the money raised from the event was all going to the brigade.
“It will go towards maybe equipment … or we do have provisions for the replacements of vehicles – it’s up to the brigade really,” Ms Smith said.
Bill Proctor’s helmet, The Wombat, was the most sought-after piece, and sold for $305, followed by Fire and Filigree by Lynette Orzlowski, sold for $300.
The fire brigade and the Coombe estate have a common historical link – Dame Nellie Melba opened the Warburton Fire Station in February 1915.
Estate manager Daniel Johnson said that Melba’s granddaughter, the late Pamela Lady Vestey, supported the CFA.
“She was very appreciative of the work they do, not just here at Coldstream, but throughout the region,” he said.
“So, it makes sense to do everything we can to utilise this property to recognise and assist the wonderful job the volunteers do.”
The support of the CFA showed in the pieces sold off, with many of them paying tribute to the work that firefighters do to protect their communities.
One helmet had been fashioned into a faux-bird’s nest, with three eggs that read “thank you CFA”.
Ms Smith said that some pieces had been bought by members of the public and then donated back to the Warburton Fire Brigade.
For more information about HelmART or the Warburton Fire Brigade’s centenary, search for Warburton Fire Brigade CFA on Facebook.
