The CFA’s District 15 recently held a successful showcase of its resources and capabilities at the Victorian Emergency Management Training Centre (VEMTC) in Ballan on Friday 13 September.

Organised by the District 15 (D15) Women’s Development Group, with support from Will Hodgson and the VEMTC team, the event allowed CFA members and their families to explore the equipment and services they may need in the future.

Despite the threat of snow, rain, and hail, the weather held, making for a smooth day of activities and demonstrations.

Highlights included VEMTC’s hot fire display, which drew attention in the blustery conditions, and flare-off demonstrations from the Sebastopol LPG Support Unit.

Pad staff led interactive training sessions on safe working at heights and low-voltage fuse removal, offering hands-on experiences that gave families a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by their loved ones during emergencies.

Firebird 07, piloted by Amy Millar and Kelly Krajnc, was a popular photo attraction, while those curious about air observation were introduced to the training required for the role.

District Mechanical Officer Garry Drabsch proudly presented his new vehicle, and the Bacchus Marsh Brigade displayed their new Breathing Apparatus (BA) support unit, which has already been used multiple times by Daylesford. Smythesdale’s Rehab Unit also demonstrated its capabilities.

The event featured further displays, including Headquarters Fire Brigade’s toilet trailers, food setups, and staging resources, along with Ballarat City Fire Brigade’s Field Command Vehicle (FCV) and Ultra Heavy Tanker.

Ararat’s Mobile Education Unit was also showcased, with recognition given to the volunteers supporting these essential resources.

Overall, the showcase provided valuable insight for CFA members, their families, and friends into the wide range of resources available and the dedicated individuals behind them.

The CFA’s District 7 last month hosted an Inspire Inclusion event at the Victorian Emergency Management Training Centre’s Central Highlands Campus near Ballan, in honour of International Women’s Day.

“The Inspire Inclusion Day was brilliant – it was fantastic to see other female volunteers from across the district come together and learn new firefighting techniques, test knowledge and skills, and get to know each other,” Barwon Heads Fire Brigade Volunteer Libby Burnett said.

“It didn’t matter what someone’s skill level or capability was, everyone got something out of it. I loved that non-operational volunteers got to try the various drills and participate in the training too.” 

With a full house, the day started with two phenomenal guest speakers. First up was Cherie O’Neill, VFLW Senior Coach – Essendon Football Club and Kangaroo Flat Fire Brigade member. Throughout her career, Cherie has been at the forefront of breaking ground, carving a space and place for herself and others to play football, initially in mens’ teams, and then leading other women into a new generation of women’s football as a coach. 

Brooke Bailey from DEECA shared her childhood dreams of firefighting, and the barriers she overcame along the way to make her dream a reality. She shared her journey from initially becoming a project firefighter, then her progress up the ranks managing crews on the fireground, training new general firefighters, deployments abroad and leading people from diverse backgrounds to develop and excel in emergency management. 

Both speakers shared a similar personal journey of the need to seek and create opportunities for yourself, building leadership skills and styles along the way and in doing so, carving their own path forward and helping others succeed.

They both embody the phrase ‘if you can’t see it, you can’t be it’, and are fantastic role models for anyone choosing a different path to the norm.  

Following the speaker presentations, the attendees were divided into groups and rotated through a number of training sessions.  

The newly created 4WD circuit was the hit of the day. The circuit provided a range of scenarios to test the limits of the drivers. There were a number of vehicles to choose from, including a manual medium tanker, an automatic tanker, and a number of field command vehicles.

The drivers took the vehicles through their paces along the circuit which included: gradient inclines of 10 per cent, 15 per cent and 20 per cent; moguls; up and over stairs; through a deep sandy path; along a boggy track; and through a water crossing. 

The circuit is interesting and diverse, yet short enough for a good rotation of drivers. 

Then there were a number of activities putting the wet stuff on the hot stuff at two of the hot fire props. Participants undertook sizing up, team drills, and choosing an approach to attack a tanker fuel leak and gas cylinders. A highlight was the five-person fog attack on the gas bullets.

The final two drills were to practise command and control of an incident and using fire extinguishers for a number of scenarios and a kitchen fire prop.  

Volunteer Libby Burnett reflected that the day wasn’t about what we can’t do, but instead was very much focused on “what do you want to do and how can we help you get there”. 

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Brendan Lawson reflected on the Inspire Inclusion event with enthusiasm. He noted how the day began with captivating talks from speakers.

“Their stories were powerful and engaging,” Brendan said, “and the afternoon sessions provided attendees with the opportunity to experience everything Central Highlands training has to offer, including hot fire props, off-road driving, and extinguishers”.  

The event served as a valuable networking opportunity, bringing together women and senior leaders from District 7 to discuss ideas and foster connections in an inclusive environment.

Police will prepare a report for the coroner after a woman died following a collision in Ballan earlier this month.

It is understood four motorbikes collided on the Western Freeway about 1.50pm on 7 April.

Officers were told all four riders, who were riding in a convoy of seven motorbikes, came off their respective motorbikes.

Three riders were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The fourth rider, a 64-year-old Cranbourne woman, was airlifted to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

She succumbed to her injuries and died in hospital on Friday (April 19).

The exact circumstances surrounding the crash are yet to be determined and investigations remain ongoing.

Anyone who witnessed the collision, with dashcam footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via the Crime Stoppers website.

The Morabool Shire Council was disappointed to learn a funding application to the Federal Government for the civic plaza at the recently tendered new Ballan Library and Community Precinct site was unsuccessful.

The council had applied for $851,000 to the Government’s Growing Regions Program to fund the outdoor plaza with courtyard seating and gardens, for the growing Ballan community to sit and connect.

Mayor Cr Ally Munari said the lack of funding could mean this part of the Ballan Library project may be delayed or not proceed as originally envisaged.

“It’s so disappointing the plaza component of the project is in jeopardy,” Cr Munari said.

“The civic plaza is a place for the community to gather and a connection point to the other components of the precinct- the library, Maternal and Child Health Centre, exhibition spaces and community rooms.”

“The Victorian Government has contributed $5 million through two different funding streams for the Ballan Library and Community Hub project”.

“If you look across the shire, we have attracted a lot of State Government funding for our projects and we continue to struggle to secure Federal Government for our major projects.”

“To continue to deliver on much needed infrastructure we will need both levels of government to contribute to allow us to meet the needs of our current and future communities.”