Twenty-year project comes to fruition

A LARGE crowd of residents from Pyalong and the surrounding districts gathered for CFA Open Day at the new fire station last weekend.

The much-awaited new building has been 20 years in the planning for the brigade which has been serving the community since 1937.

The new facility has fit-for-purpose amenities, including a motor room with two reverse-in bays, storage spaces, operational areas, a multi-purpose room and separate turn-out spaces for men and women.

Attendees toured the station and viewed a display of historic memorabilia and vintage fire trucks.

“It has been a long time coming,” said Pyalong CFA Captain Brendan Kelly.

“The new building brings us up to standard.

“Our old building had no facilities for women and only limited ones for the men.

“Now we have everything we need including great storage room.

“We’re not cramped, and we are visible situated right in the centre of town.

“It was a really good turn out for the open day with private citizens, political representatives and support from our neighbouring brigades.”

Among those attending was the longest surviving Pyalong CFA captain Mick Ryan.

“The new building is certainly not what I was used to,” he said.

“When I first joined, 62 years ago, we housed our truck in a shed on Alf Brown’s property.

“This new building looks fantastic.”

Mr Ryan was captain from 1983 until 2001.

Volunteer Ben Missen said he was pleased to see so many people coming along to inspect the new facility and supporting the CFA.

“It’s a massive upgrade,” he said.

“It will be really good for our training and for community engagement.”

Volunteers are always needed and anyone interested can contact Captain Brendan Kelly on 0419 135 815.