Through friendly conversations with community members, Kangaroo Flat Fire Brigade, based just out of Bendigo CBD, has seen an injection of 12 new young and diverse recruits in the last twelve months.

You would not be mistaken if you thought you had heard the words Give Us a Hand around Kangaroo Flat recently, as the local brigade were presented with a special assignment.

An initiative led by Captain James O’Brien saw him simply task his members to engage with their friends, colleagues and broader networks.

“We did a targeted recruitment campaign, and at the beginning I asked all my officers and members to recall people they know who have once asked them about CFA before,” James said.

“They might have had a cousin or a friend’s husband who has casually queried them, wondering what it is like to join CFA, or what they enjoy most about driving the truck.

“Having already expressed passive interest in the past, I wanted them to revisit those engagements to encourage them to action those thoughts and sign up.”

Since then, an impressive 12 people have registered to become brigade members, with eight of them currently enrolled in CFA’s General Firefighter Course to become operational.

“I’m really proud to see so many new faces in the brigade, particularly because it’s probably the most diverse we’ve been as a group, so I’m really pleased,” James said.

“One member is a teacher from my children’s school, and he also happens to be a lecturer at Latrobe University. He brought two international students with him over from the uni, one is a refugee from Burma and the other is of African descent.

“Further to this, 50 per cent of our recruit intake are women – so it’s great to get a whole range of different perspectives, ideologies, and background experiences in our team.

“We’re really excited about the future of our brigade, and for those looking for help, I encourage them to casually engage with acquaintances beyond their circles and ask the question.”

Local solicitor, Sarah Swayn, 25, who became operational last September, has already turned out over 120 times with the Strathfieldsaye and Kangaroo Flat Fire Brigade’s.  

“I think I’ve been averaging about one call-out every two days, which is a lot on top of full-time work, but it keeps me very stimulated,” said Sarah (pictured above left).

“It is a challenge to balance it all, but I’m very lucky with my work that I’m able to work from home and I am allowed to turn out during work hours when I don’t have appointments on. I also get some emergency services leave on top of that.

Having her partner so heavily involved in CFA opened Sarah’s eyes to what role she could play helping the community.

“I love trying to encourage other women to step up into volunteering and letting them know that door is open. We’ve recently had a number of new women sign up which has been fantastic.”

Words & Image: CFA

Twenty-five new pumpers will be added to CFA’s fleet which help brigades better protect and serve their communities.

The new pumpers will be capable of delivering 4,000 litres of water per minute and once operational will replace pumpers that are older than 20 years of age.

CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said the new pumpers are a welcome addition to the fleet and will result in a significant uplift in capability across the state.

“With the latest technology Scania Cab Chassis and the ability to integrate breathing apparatus sets in the rear seats, the pumpers will carry all the necessary equipment and tools to operate on a fireground,” Jason said.

“The pumpers can continuously pump thousands of litres of water at high pressure from a static supply such as a street main, lake or reservoir.

“They will also have the ability to produce Compressed Air Foam using an onboard compressor for enhanced asset protection.

“These new pumpers will ensure our volunteers continue to be well equipped to protect their communities during an emergency.”

“The pumpers were designed by our volunteers to include gender specific requirements to support women within CFA and to help encourage women to join in the future.”

The first ten brigades to receive the new pumpers will be Wendouree, Kangaroo Flat, Sebastopol, Eaglehawk, Narre Warren, Rochester, Emerald, Benalla, Bairnsdale and Lorne.

Manufacturing of the new pumpers began late last year at SEM Fire and Rescue in Wendouree, with the first of the 25 pumpers due for completion mid-2025.

The Victorian Government announced additional funding of $18.6 million for 15 new pumpers last month on top of the $9.9 million for 10 pumpers announced last year.

Words & Image: CFA

Police are appealing to the public for information or recorded footage in the wake of a fatal collision that happend at Kangaroo Flat, Bendigo, on Sunday (May 5).

It’s believed a ute and a motorcycle collided on High Street just after 4.30pm, causing the motorcycle to burst into flames.

The rider of the motorcycle died at the scene. The driver of the ute sustained non-life-threatening injuries and had been taken to hospital under police guard.

The exact circumstances surrounding the incident had yet to be determined and anyone who witnessed the collision, with CCTV/dashcam footage or information was urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via the Crime Stoppers website.

Central Victoria Response Unit officers have charged a man after allegedly locating a traffickable quantity of drugs in his possession in Kangaroo Flat over the weekend.

Police attended a property in Browning Street and located the man before he allegedly attempted to run from police.

He was only able to run a short distance before he was arrested for unrelated matters about 11am on Saturday April 20

During the arrest, officers searched the 41-year-old Kangaroo Flat man and located what is alleged to be drugs including approximately 70g of methylamphetamine.

He has been charged with trafficking a commercial quantity of methylamphetamine, as well as possess cannabis, morphine, prescription medications, and proceeds of crime.

He had been remanded to appear at the Bendigo Magistrates’ Court earlier this week, on Monday 22 April.

Professional Standards Command detectives have charged a first constable with traffic offences following an incident in California Gully last year.

The 26-year-old man, from Western Region, has been charged with reckless conduct endangering life and drive in a manner dangerous.

He will appear at court at a later date.

The charges relate to a collision between an allegedly stolen MG sedan and a police car on Bright Street about 1pm on 13 April.

The three occupants of the stolen car and three police officers were injured in the collision.

At the time three people were arrested in relation to the stolen car, with a 20-year-old California Gully man and 16-year-old Kangaroo Flat girl charged with theft of motor vehicle.

Bendigo Highway Patrol officers are appealing for public assistance following a car crash at Kangaroo Flat last week.

It is believed a white LDV T60 utility was travelling along Station Street near the intersection of Church Street when the driver lost control and veered off the road about 8.30am on Wednesday 10 April.

The vehicle continued down an embankment came to a rest on the nature strip next to the creek on Danson Avenue.

Police have been told a passer-by stopped and assisted the 75-year-old driver who was not seriously injured and drove him home.

Investigators are keen to speak to that passer-by or any witnesses.

Anyone with information or anyone with CCTV/dashcam footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report via the Crime Stoppers website.

Bendigo Crime Investigation Unit detectives are appealing for public assistance following a burglary in Kangaroo Flat earlier this month.

It is understood two men gained entry into a property on Alpina Place about 5.30pm on Sunday, 17 December.

Police were told the offenders ransacked each room in the house, stealing cash and jewellery before fleeing the scene.

Investigators have released CCTV footage and images of two men they believe may be able to assist with their enquiries.

One of the men is described as being approximately 30-40 years old. He was wearing a grey long-sleeved top with a black and orange fluorescent one over the top, shorts and blue cap.

The other man is perceived to be of Asian appearance and in his early 30s. He was wearing a black and orange fluorescent short-sleeved top and a blue bucket hat.

Anyone who witnessed the incident, has CCTV footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a report online at the Crime Stoppers Victoria website.

Police earlier this week arrested a man in Harcourt North following the death of a 46-year-old woman in Kangaroo Flat over last Sunday night.

The 44-year-old Junortoun man was arrested by police at a reservoir near Hardcourt North Road, with the assistance of Air Wing about 5.00am on Monday.

Emergency services were called to a home in High Street following reports a woman had been injured about 11.50pm.

Local police attended the scene and found the Kangaroo Flat woman unresponsive.

The woman was taken to hospital where she was pronounced deceased.

Two primary school aged children found in the home at the time weren’t injured.

The area has been cordoned off and a crime scene has been established.

Detectives along with Major Crime Scene Unit officers will process the scene.

The Junortoun man is currently assisting police with their enquiries. It is believed that the parties were known to each other.

Anyone with information or dashcam footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au