While the handover of a fire truck is a pretty good day for any community, Sunday 26 November was something special in Maiden Gully.
Local MP Maree Edwards officially handed over the keys of a CFA light pumper to Brigade Captain David Mustey. In accepting the keys, David said, “Having our own pumper fills a huge gap in our firefighting capability. Our community is growing rapidly with two new sub-divisions underway, new and expanded schools along with the development at the Great Stupa. These structures and the homes of our residents will be better protected now we have this vehicle.”
Maiden Gully now has over 5,000 residents and will exceed 10,000 within 10 years.
The day marked the successful culmination of 10 years of negotiations, submissions, promises, disappointments and persistence by the brigade.
At the handover, the brigade acknowledged the work of ACO (Inclusion and Fairness) Steven Smith who, as OM for District 2, acknowledged the need for a pumper at Maiden Gully and put together a practical plan to make this happen.
ACO (NW) Gavin Thompson followed through with Steve’s work along with recently-appointed District 2 Operations Manager Bill Johnstone who got the allocation over its final hurdle.
The day was also the brigade’s annual open day and brigade members were kept busy welcoming community members and showing off their station, vehicles and other facilities.