The Elaine Recreation Reserve came to life with Junior brigade members honing their firefighting skills and all vying for the coveted Midlands Junior Cup on Sunday 18 November 2018.
Teams from Coimadai, Elaine boys and Elaine girls, Truganina (1 and 2), Ballan and a combined Greendale/Coimadai team participated in events included first aid, communications and HAZMAT (thanks to Lucas Fire Brigade), running edge, hydrant and fog attack, entrapment and extinguishers.
Teams of four to six members completed in all seven exercises.
Two judges were required at each event, and a volunteer helper stayed with each team to escort them safely to the events.
More than 25 volunteers from the participating brigades gave up their Sunday to ensure the event ran smoothly, including cooking the barbecue and tallying the scores throughout the day.
In awarding the cup to the winning all-female team from Elaine brigade, Ballan Group Officer Shane Cramer thanked to all of the volunteer judges and officials and junior leaders whose contribution made the day possible.
Shane made special thanks to this year’s hosts Elaine brigade and their Junior Leader Jo Adcock. Shane also thanked Lin Lawson who developed the Midlands Cup 11 years ago after realising that junior members were keen to show off their skills throughout the year.
Much to Lin's delight, one of the career firefighter members who had attended with the HAZMAT from Lucas Fire Brigade had been a junior member at Gordon.