Cash splash for CFA vehicle

A MOORABOOL bank branch has chipped in for a new firefighting appliance, after a brigade tried obtaining CFA funding for years.

The Rowsley Fire Brigade spent around ten years raising funds for a new ute, with the Community Bank Bacchus Marsh Branch providing $50,000 to upgrade it to an ultra light vehicle.

Communications Officer at the Rowsley Fire Brigade, Melinda Fitzpatrick, said fires last year had highlighted how desperately the Brigade needed a new vehicle.

“We’ve been raising money for over ten years, and got up to $20,000. In the last 12 months or so, we raised over $80,000,” Ms Fitzpatrick said.

“The extra $50,000 will make our appliance into an Ultra Light vehicle, which is basically a ute with 1,500 litres of water on it.

“We’d been applying for what they call VESEP grants through the CFA for many years, and were always unsuccessful.

“The fire in February really highlighted how much we needed the Ultra Light vehicle, our tanker was out here for 20 minutes on its own before any other appliances could get here to assist.

“That tanker with 2,000 litres of water on it was the only appliance available to protect four houses in direct line of that fire. So that was pretty scary, and we realised we really needed something else.”

Chair of the Community Bank Bacchus Marsh Branch, Claire Sutherland, said funding worthy causes and groups like the Rowsley Fire Brigade was by far her favourite part of the job.

“The Brigade had been fundraising for a second appliance for a number of years, and were able to get to $85,000, but were $50,000 short,” Ms Sutherland said.

“They were able to get the ute from Harrison Toyota in Melton at a reduced rate, but still needed the money to fit the ute out.

“The money was given at our AGM in November last year, just before the fire season, and the cheque was handed over recently. We found out they were fundraising and asked them to apply.

“It’s very rewarding for us to be able to support groups like the Rowsley Fire Brigade. They’re volunteers, and so are we…it’s the reason why we exist really, to support the community.

“There’s nothing better than supporting volunteers to do their jobs more efficiently.”

The new ultra light vehicle will not only provide another vehicle able to answer calls, but can also access areas the existing tanker can’t reach.