Nandaly Fire Brigade has increased its volunteer membership base by 20 per cent following a local recruitment drive.
Story and photo by Michelle Brady, Swan Hill Guardian
Captain Terry Elliott said the brigade recently welcomed six new young volunteers, placing them in good stead for the future.
“We’ve replenished our stocks and now have some much younger recruits,” Mr Elliott said, noting the average age of the existing brigade was not decreasing.
Growing up in the local area, 18-year-old Jesse Parkinson was one of the youngest recruits to sign up for the challenge.
“I joined to help out the community,” he said. “The more volunteers we have, the better it will be overall.”
These sentiments were echoed by 26-year-old Alli Elliott who also joined the Nandaly brigade earlier this year.
“It’s a team environment. Like many things we do, we’ll achieve it more efficiently and safer if we do it as a team,” Ms Elliott said.
She said it was good to see the brigade taking a proactive approach to its recruitment process, especially in a close-knit community where resources were limited.
“We all know that if there is an incident it’s likely to be our friends, our family and our neighbours that may be impacted,” Ms Elliott said. “It’s also going to be these same people that will be out there fighting it, so why not offer support if you’re able to and make that group bigger, stronger and more diverse.”
The Elliott family have been heavily involved in the Nandaly CFA over the years, and it was only fitting that 22-year-old Lacey Elliott also follow in her family’s footsteps.
“I’ve wanted to join for a couple of years and help out the local Nandaly brigade,” she said. “It’s fun and rewarding, and it’s good to be able to help out.
“I have enjoyed it so far. I haven’t been to a fire yet but I did like the training.”
Author: Leith Hillard