Flowerdale Fire Brigade celebrates 75 years

The Flowerdale Fire Brigade was first registered with CFA on 19 September 1945, with a total of 66 men to form the Flowerdale Rural Fire Brigade. Running for 79 years, the brigade now currently has 24 members, including 14 firefighters and 10 support members.  

The first corrugated iron shed was built in 1955, however, following the Ash Wednesday fires of 1983, Flowerdale was granted a new, larger fire station in 1996 before expanding in 2014 to house all their new vehicles and equipment.   

Flowerdale Captain and 40-year CFA life member Brian Makin said the celebratory event held at the station was a fantastic day where over 45 members of the community gathered with them and their neighbouring brigades.  

“We thoroughly enjoyed receiving our 75th certificate after it was unable to be presented in 2020. In 2025, we will hit 80 years,” Brian said. 

“It was wonderful to see our members recognised for the work that they do and receive their certificates and medals in front of their community.” 

CFA Group General Manager Support Services Kylee Bates and Commander Paul Brislin presented six Service Awards, ranging from five to 45-years, while two members became brigade life members and three proudly CFA life members. 

“As I said when I received my 40-year badge, it’s not only for me, but for my family too, because we are often away, and they’re very supportive,” Brian said.  

“Our brigade is full of friends who are willing to help wherever they are needed. We are most proud of our response and getting the job done for our community.  

“We’ve sent members on strike team deployments to North East Victoria and New South Wales, and we were severely impacted and involved in Black Saturday. 

“More recently we sent members to help the Black Summer fires of 2021/2020, and we had the Spring Valley Road fire in February this year that took several weeks to declare safe.” 

Since 2019, the brigade has attended 96 incidents and has strong ties to their community, running the Fire Safe Kids program with the local school for over 20 years. 

“If there is a community function, we will have representatives, especially at the Flowerdale market where we cook sausages and assist the cooking ladies at their functions.  

“We are also a part of the annual Father Christmas Lolly Run and Carols.  

“They are great opportunities to touch base with the community, meet new residents and talk to them to see if they would like to join. We’ve got brochures to hand out to them and explain what we do.” 

The brigade currently has a strong suite of resources, with a 2.4C Hino tanker, an Ultra-Light tanker that was donated in 2010 by Darley Stud and Newman’s Own Foundation, and a Ford Ranger Forward Command Vehicle (FCV). In 2024, they will receive their new Light Tanker to replace the Ultra-Light, following a successful 2021 VESEP application.