Participation in the Bendigo Easter Festival is an annual event for a number of Brigades and Groups across the City of Greater Bendigo with this year being no exception.
Commencing from the Queen Elizabeth Oval, down View Street, into Pall Mall, along McCrae Street and into Bridge Street saw crowd numbers looking to be up on previous years.
The Best Fire Brigade Entry for the Torchlight Lantern Procession was awarded to the North West Region Community Education Group who was supported by Eaglehawk’s FCV and the Central Victorian Preservation Society. The entry consisted of the Mobile Smoke House along with the Little Fire Truck which displayed key messages relating to both the Smoke Alarm Campaign as well as providing a reminder that Fire Restrictions were still in force!
The following entrants participated in the Torchlight Parade on Saturday evening 26 March –
- North West Region Community Education Group
- Central Victorian Fire Services Preservation Society
- EppalockGroup
- LakeEppalockCoast Guard Brigade
- Mandurang Brigade
- Redesdale Brigade
- Sedgwick Brigade
- Raywood Brigade
- Goornong Brigade
- Woodvale Brigade
- Elmore Brigade
- Maiden Gully Brigade
- Kangaroo Flat Brigade
- Eaglehawk Brigade
- Huntly Brigade
- Golden Square Brigade
- Bendigo Brigade
Some then did it all again on Sunday for the Gala Procession. Huge thanks must go to members of the Central Victorian Fire Services Preservation Society, Kangaroo Flat and Eaglehawk Brigades and the North West Region Community Education Group for their participation.
What a great effort by all members representing their respective Brigades and Groups in the parades. From those who marched, carried banners and flags, handed out giveaways to members of the crowd and those who rode in the vehicles it all looked fantastic!
Special thanks to Kangaroo Flat Brigade for ensuring Captain Koala made an appearance on both occasions!
Paul Tangey
Community Education Coordinator
North West Region
Author: District 2 News