Funding boost for Bellarine volunteer emergency service groups

THE community gathered last weekend despite rainy conditions to mark the Drysdale Fire Brigade’s 80th birthday.

The day was filled with a variety of family-friendly activities from face painting and fire truck tours to the day’s most popular activity: using a fire hose.

Several members of the volunteer brigade were acknowledged during the festivities for their service, including captain Brendan MacDonald who was honoured with a Lifetime Membership Medal for his more than 30 years of dedication and contribution to both the CFA and the wider community.

During the event, Bellarine MP Alison Marchant announced the Drysdale Fire Brigade, along with three other local volunteer emergency service organisations, were successful grant recipients in the latest round of the Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP).

The grant program, which has been running since 2015, aims to provide funding to Victorian emergency service groups to purchase essential operational equipment, vehicles and appliances and undertake minor facility improvements.

The funding allocated to Drysdale Fire Brigade will be used to purchase a new field command vehicle, which will better allow it to assist the community in the event of an emergency.

Mr MacDonald said the brigade was extremely grateful and excited to be a successful applicant in this year’s grant program.

“It is a great initiative by the Victorian government.

“It allows volunteer emergency services to get that extra equipment without having to fundraise for total cost.

“Our local and also wider communities will greatly benefit from this updated purpose-built vehicle.”

Barwon Heads Thirteenth Beach Surf Life Saving Club will receive funding for a Thundercat inflatable rescue boat and motor, while Ocean Grove Surf Life Saving Club will put its funds toward a new vehicle, two rescue boards and four rescue tubes.

Mannerim CFA will similarly put the grant it has received towards necessary equipment.

Ms Marchant congratulated each of the Bellarine recipients, who will share in a more than $120,000 funding boost.

“The Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program is an important annual program providing a critical boost to local volunteers, ensuring their equipment and facilities are up to date,” she said.

Minister for Emergency Services Jaclyn Symes said the funding would provide a vital boost to the selfless volunteers who are always there for the community when they need them.

“Volunteers look forward to the VESEP grants every year,” she said.

“We’re proud to support the vital fundraising work they do with this program.”

Since the program’s inception, almost $140 million in VESEP grants has been provided to volunteer groups throughout the state.