Old school opens doors for brigade fundraiser

THE Kingston Fire Brigade is inviting the community to take part in an open garden event to raise money for a new tanker.

The owners of the Old Kingston Primary School have offered their garden for the event which will include tours at 11am and 1pm, entertainment, children’s activities, a sausage sizzle, and a coffee and cake cart.

“The gentlemen who owned the old Primary School very generously and kindly offered to open the garden,” said Wendy Dunton, secretary of the Kingston Fire Brigade.

“The gardens are just beautiful.”

All proceeds will go towards a new second tanker for the brigade as the current one was purchased in 2002 and must be replaced to meet government regulations.

“It’s just at the end of it’s lifetime, it’s still okay but we have to follow certain protocols from the CFA in relation to how old a vehicle can be,” said Ms Dunton.

“We’ve put in for a VESEP grant which is through the CFA and the government… and then we have to match a certain amount for the grant.

The brigade’s first tanker is funded by the CFA but may be deployed to other areas when there is an emergency.

A community owned, second tanker can stay in the area to protect the community and Ms Dunton said this is why it’s important.

“Our main tanked could be called to anywhere on strike teams so that would go out of the area, but we have our community-based tanker which virtually stays in the area,” she said.

“In case anything happens our way we’re still able to person the tanker to send out a team in case we need it close by.”

The open garden will be held on Saturday 2 November and admission will cost $15.