Upper Yarra Community Market makes a difference to local emergency crews

Upper Yarra Community Market's Adele Paisley, Kathy and John Wal donated to Hoddles Creek CFA Lily Pagels and Leonie Turner; Reefton CFA Andrew Kane (Cpt) and Cathy McDonald; Yarra Junction Fire Brigade Cameron Macdonald (Cpt), Barry Booker and Steve Drennan; Little Yarra Fire Brigade Les Hart (Cpt) and Peter Cookson; Yellingbo CFA Jeremy Hardy (Cpt) and Merril Brunt; SES member Peter Morton. PICTURE: RENEE WOOD

By Renee Wood

Upper Yarra Community Market has raised $12,000 to be donated to local emergency crews to support their vital work across the region.

While the market runs, a portion of the stall holdings goes towards the fundraiser, with $2,000 each to go to the brigades.

Secretary Adele Paisley was finally able to hand over the cheques at the market on Sunday 14 November after waiting some time due to lockdowns putting a halt to gathering plans and the market’s operation.

“It’s great for all of the little CFAs, because we all live in a fire area here and we think it’s a good thing to support the brigades,” Ms Paisley said.

Yarra Junction Fire Brigade Captain Cameron Macdonald said the donation makes a big difference to the volunteer run brigades.

“It’s really good because it is a constant struggle with volunteer emergency services, the amount of equipment expenditure that goes on that’s not covered by what comes in from other channels,” Cpt Macdonald said.

“It really helps us just do those little bits and pieces that make our life easier.”

Hoddles Creek CFA, Reefton CFA, Yarra Junction Fire Brigade, Little Yarra Fire Brigade, Yellingbo CFA and the local SES all received a donation from the market committee.