When Kyneton CFA Brigade went to the community for help via its Facebook page the response was immediate.
Dehydration is a major hazard for firefighters out in the field, particularly when the temperatures hit the 40s. Keeping a constant supply of cool water for multiple fire trucks can be a challenge.
“We asked if anyone could provide a refrigerated trailer for storing cool drinks during the fire season,” said Kyneton Brigade 1st Lieutenant Josh Gamble. “The response was immediate. Media outlets picked up on the appeal and in no time at all I found myself talking to Neil Mitchell on 3AW.
“Five minutes after going to air Chris Owen from the Kinglake Pub contacted us and offered his trailer for as long as we needed it. He also donated 80 Kinglake cook books to the brigade to sell in order to raise money for our own trailer.
“We also got a call from Charles Exton from High Mountain water who donated 20 slabs of fresh drinking water for fire crews.”
Lieutenant Gamble said he never ceased to be amazed at the willingness of the community to help the brigade.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to give a little back by encouraging people to come out to Kinglake and enjoy some of the many attractions it has -- walking tracks for day hikes and camping grounds for overnight stays.
“Kinglake National Park is a beautiful attraction and is the closest national park to Melbourne.
“Whenever we have a bad fire season it can frighten tourists away from our beautiful regional areas. Encouraging people to return when the danger has passed is an import part of the local recovery process.”
Kinglake was a community hit hard during the Black Saturday bushfires in 2009.
But the community has now bounced back and is once again one of the most beautiful areas of the state.
"It’s great to give back to the people that helped us through those tough times," said Chris.
Information around services & entertainment offered by Kinglake Pub can be found at www.kinglakepub.com.au
Information relating to the High Mountain Natural Spring Water can be found at www.highmountain.com.au
Author: Josh Gamble