By Callum Ludwig
Yarra Junction is mourning the death of a dedicated firefighter and community man.
Ted Shalders was born in Yarra Junction on 15 January 1954 as the sixth of seven children with parents who were heavily involved in the township, giving Ted his early exposure to the benefits of community spirit.
Ted’s daughter Catherine Branson said he was very involved in the community.
“He spent many years umpiring the local football, he was a member of the Upper Yarra Cemetery Trust holding the position of President for some time, President of the Yarra Junction Ambulance Branch Development Committee and played a big part in the redevelopment of the Yarra Junction Ambulance Station, but his biggest love was for the fire brigade,” she said.
“He joined the Yarra Junction Fire Brigade in 1970 at the age of 16, following in his father’s footsteps and was a dedicated member, reaching 55 years of service,”
“Ted attended many significant fires, Ash Wednesday is one his family remembers well as Jennifer was left at home with three young children while Ted braved the flames to protect the community he loved so much.”
During his time with the Yarra Junction Fire Brigade, Ted held the position of Captain for 13 years and also held the positions of Foreman, Secretary, Treasurer and Deputy Group Officer over the years while becoming a life member of the brigade. During his time as Captain in 2001 Ted was awarded his National Medal and he is also a CFA Life Member.
Ms Branson said Ted helped with the extensions at the Yarra Junction Fire Station in the late 90’s.
“Many submissions were made to the CFA and once approved the building works started with Ted and some other long-standing members personally working on the improvements, making the station what it is today,” she said.
“Ted played a part in the early stages of the Junior fire brigade at Yarra Junction as a leader, with three of his daughters joining, family socials at the CFA were always fun nights and Dad taking the kids for a ride in the back of the old Austin pumper around the block are some memories that will never be forgotten,”
“Before Triple Zero existed Ted’s daughters have fond memories of the telephone ringing, when this occurred Ted would yell ‘fire phone’ and the house went silent so the call could be answered and the siren activated, then he would be off to the call.”
Following in her own father’s footsteps, Ms Branson is a currently-serving life member of the Yarra Junction Fire Brigade herself and has recently hit 30 years of service.
Ms Branson said when Ted was not being a volunteer he would be spending time running around after his daughters (Rachael, Leonie, Catherine and Robyn).
“Picking them up at night including the crowd that they were hanging around with, Ted would often do three to four trips around the valley making sure his daughter’s friends got home safe,” she said.
“As well as his voluntary roles, Ted was a hardworking man, he was a builder by trade and always used to point out houses he had built or renovated wherever he went, over the years Ted had many apprentices, who to this day speak extremely highly of him and are thankful for all he taught them,”
“Ted gave up his tools and became a VCAL Teacher in Building and Construction to students, much to his surprise he really enjoyed this and wished he had done it earlier, he never wanted to slow down and retire but his health forced him to in 2021.”
Ted met and married his wife Jennifer in 1975, building their house, life and family in Yarra Junction, going on to have his four daughters and 10 grandchildren.
Ms Branson said Ted passed away peacefully on Saturday 15 February.
“Ted was a very caring, friendly, committed man who would do anything for anyone, nothing was ever too much trouble,” she said.
“He was always there, he will be missed by many.”
