More than 900 firefighters have been competing in the 2025 CFA/VFBV State Firefighter Championships held over the past two weekends.

Held at the Mooroopna Recreation Reserve, CFA junior running teams from across the state have showcased their skills in the Urban Junior State Championships that were held on 22 and 23 March.

And over the past weekend the Senior Urban, Senior Rural and Junior Rural events were held on 29 and 30 March.

Running for the second year in a row, was Gisborne Fire Brigade’s junior team. Following a 12-year hiatus, Gisborne returned stronger than ever, under the watchful eye of former runner and coach for the brigade Bruce Harker.

Bruce is passionate about the sport and ran for almost 45 years. He has been guiding Asher, Nick, Zack and Lincoln who also recently won the under-17 aggregates at Geelong.

“This is the first time in the brigade’s history we have had a junior running team,” Bruce said.

“I’m quite pleased how they’ve gone this year and there’s a lot of pride for me in the success of the team.

“The brigade has been running since the 1960s, and we were unbeatable for a while. It’s great to have a team back competing.”

Asher Kroon one of the team’s founding members loves the sport and how many opportunities it has given him.

“I think everyone should do it, I have learnt a lot of valuable skills, especially the teamwork aspect,” Asher said.

“I love all the long drives and places I get to see as part of competing.”

Asher also wants to see more people put their hand up to participate.

“We’ve done really well this year,” Asher said.

“We only have four people which is the minimum to compete. Even though it isn’t a sport you’d normally consider we would love more people to join.”

CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said the State Championships are an important tradition for CFA members and regional communities.

“The Championships are always one of my favourite events in the calendar. They are a great display of the skills, dedication and enthusiasm of our members in a fun environment,” Jason said.

“It’s always a great place to see the camaraderie among our brigades, their families and the broader community.

Attendees also enjoyed food and drink vans, firefighting equipment and training demonstrations, CFA programs and education hubs, award presentations and much more. 

Events at the State Championships are based on practical firefighting activities, with a focus on physical fitness, teamwork and equipment skills using hoses, hydrants and other tools.

For more information and updates on results from the recent CFA/VFBV State Firefighter Championships visit www.cfa.vic.gov.au/champs.

This story based on a CFA report. Image: Supplied, CFA

The CFA is encouraging brigades across the state to compete in this year’s CFA/VFBV State Firefighter Championships in March.

Interested brigades need to register by Sunday 16 February 2025. Nominations are online via the VFBV website: https://tinyurl.com/2025-entry-eoi 

The events are once again being held at Mooroopna Recreation Reserve across two weekends.  

Urban Junior State Championships will kick off on 22 and 23 March. The Senior Urban, Junior Rural, and Senior Rural events are being held at the same site the following weekend, 29 and 30 March. 

CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said the State Championships have always been an integral part of CFA since they began in 1874. 

“The Championships are a great way to show the endurance and reliability of brigades as well as promoting leadership, mental wellbeing, and physical fitness with all competitors celebrated for having a go,” Jason said. 

“The Championships are one of the most exciting events on the CFA calendar and a great opportunity for our members to engage in friendly competition with their brigade and fellow firefighters.  

“It’s also a great way for the community to see what we do and hopefully we can inspire them to join their local brigades.  

“I highly recommend brigades to get involved in the event which includes practical firefighting activities using hoses, hydrants and other equipment. It’s also fantastic for teamwork and comradeship.”   

Captain of Melton Fire Brigade, Anthony Rhodes, has been competing and coaching teams in the State Championships since he was a teenager and said he loves the family aspect of the event. 

Not only does he compete and coach alongside his sons he said other members become like your family too.  

“I love the camaraderie,” Anthony said. 

 “It doesn’t matter where you’re from it is a real family feeling.

“It gives you a good opportunity to socialise and meet people and then you run into them on strike teams or just out and about and you really feel connected.” 

Anthony competed in the junior division before becoming a senior competitor. He also spent many years as a coach for both junior and senior teams at Melton brigade.  

“I used to coach the juniors, but when my two sons came along I decided to step back from that and just be a dad,” he said. 

This year he is both competing in the senior open running team and coaching the senior women’s teams, he said he can’t wait to share the event with his boys and extended firefighting family. 

“Champs allow members and family to have an outlet and have a little bit of fun. 

To anyone thinking of signing up Anthony said, “today is the day”.  

“When people go to fires, we don’t always deal with great things. This is a great outlet because it isn’t life or death, it is just a bit of fun,” he said. 

This story based on a CFA report

The competition for the upcoming State Firefighter Championships is heating up, with CFA members from districts 9 and 27 joining forces to hit the running track.

Having both formed in 2018, the dedicated Women’s Networking Groups are made up of over 150 passionate members, with 100 in District 9 and 77 in District 27. This will be the first time they have representation at the championships.

With the March weekend looming, Warragul Fire Brigade firefighter and Women’s Network member Dani Watkins is excited about the highly anticipated occasion in Mooroopna, having never participated before.

“Like most of the South East region, we have a Women’s Network in District 9 and 27. However, we decided to combine the two for the event because 27 is quite small,” Dani said.

“A couple of us decided we would put together a running team because it looked like a bit of fun.

“We’ve got seven members at the moment, six are from District 9 and one is from District 27.”

The team has enlisted the help of Pearcedale Fire Brigade to get up to speed with the specifics of the events, training once a week or once a fortnight in the lead up to the state event.

“It has been really good to train with Pearcedale. We were essentially starting from scratch with no prior knowledge of any of the activities,” Dani said.

“We asked Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria (VFBV) for some help, and they pointed us in the direction of Pearcedale because they were the closest brigade to us that runs in rural events.

“We called them up and asked them if we could join them for a training session and they’ve been really accommodating since and have taught us so much.”

Fellow network member and Tanjil Fire Brigade firefighter Margaret (Maggs) Harrison was quick to put her hand up to represent her brigade at the Championships.

“When we met to discuss the State Firefighter Championships, I thought I may as well jump into the opportunity and give it a shot with the other women for the first time too,” Maggs said.

“I’ve found training with Pearcedale to be enlightening. It’s been great to watch how they work together and understand how they work as a team. They are a really friendly brigade.”

Maggs said the development of the women’s team was to not only bring brigades together in a new environment, but to also continue empowering women.

The Senior Urban and Senior Rural events will be held at Mooroopna Recreation Reserve on Saturday March 23 and Sunday March 24.

The CFA is encouraging brigades across the state to compete in next month’s CFA/VFBV State Firefighter Championships.

Mooroopna Recreation Reserve will again be the site of the events with the Urban Junior State Championships kicking off on 16 and 17 March. The Senior Urban and Senior Rural events will be held at the same site the following weekend, 23 and 24 March. 

CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said the State Championships have a rich tradition and are an integral part of CFA. 

“The Championships are a great opportunity for our members to engage in some friendly competition with their brigade and fellow firefighters,” CO Heffernan said. 

“It’s also a great way for the community to see what we do and hopefully we can inspire them to join their local brigades. 

“I highly recommend brigades get involved in the event which includes practical firefighting activities utilising hoses, hydrants and other equipment. It’s also fantastic for teamwork and comradeship.” 

Hannah Logie from Strathmerton Fire Brigade, who has competed in the State Championships for the past eight years, encourages other brigades to take part because she says it’s the best two weekends of the year. 

“I have been competing since I was 11 years old and my whole family has been involved over the years too,” Hannah said.  

“It’s a great event because you make friends, you get fit and most importantly, you have a good laugh. 

“What I love most is the people I’m around all day, it’s a really close-knit group. If you’re considering joining, just do it, it’s the best fun.” 

Interested brigades need to register by 18 February 2024. Nominations are online via the VFBV website.