Barongarook West celebrate 80 years in CFA

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Barongarook West Fire Brigade gathered to celebrate their 80th year in CFA’s history books this month, paying tribute to the significant contributions their members have made over that time.

The Colac Lake Bowling Club hosted brigade members and their families on Sunday, 8 September where they were treated to a catered lunch before award presentations took place.

Established in 1944, Barongarook West formed on back of the local response to the 1939 Black Friday bushfires which unfortunately involved a local tragedy.

While original fire stations were based out of many former Captain’s homes, it now resides on Colac-Lavers Hill Road at the old Tulloh Rail Station.

Barongarook West combined with the east side of the town, and joined the amalgamation of the Bush Fire Brigades, Country Fire Brigades and the Forest Commission as an outcome of the Royal Commission when CFA was founded in 1945.

Captain of three years, Ken O’Brian, who joined the brigade in 2008, said occasions such as these are an opportune time to acknowledge the service of their local members and the work they do for the local community.

“It was such a terrific event. We had a lot of our life members and their families there, including the granddaughter of the first founding Captain. Her father is a life member too,” Ken said.

“It's incredibly important to come together and celebrate our members, but also their families. We like to honour those who have served and those who support those who are serving.”

Three Service Medals were presented spanning up to 40 years, as well as eight CFA Life Award Medals showcasing 30-to-40-year members. National Medal presentations saw eight members receive the prestigious honour, with some earning their 1^st and 2^nd clasp.

“We have a strong presence along the coast west of Anglesea and in the Grampians, but the 2015 Wye River fires and the 2018 southwest St Patrick’s Day fires are the most significant ones that we’ve been part of as a brigade,” Ken said.

“We’ve supported many regional strike teams, such as the Black Saturday 2009 bushfires where our tanker travelled 3,500kms in four days, the damaging Ash Wednesday bushfires, and across NSW and North East Victoria.

“I’m really proud of the family we have formed, we really work had to take care of each other on the scene and in between jobs.”

The brigade has a community firefighting trailer that allows landholders to manage their private burn-offs, while many in the brigade have played a role in the trialling and testing of foam concentrate and equipment to meet Australian standards, with Class A foam now fitted into CFA tankers.

“We’re also grateful to have been leaders in adopting the progressive and lateral hoselay system that attacks remote fires where access for tankers is difficult or non-existent,” Ken said.

Many award recipients across the day started as juniors at Barongarook, while some have dedicated years as a Lieutenant, or stepped up as one of the eight Captain’s.

Others have played a pivotal role in a supportive capacity, leading training, communications or administration. CFA Board Member Beth Davidson and Assistant Chief Fire Officer Tony Field had the honour of touching on their incredible service before presenting individual awards in front of their peers.