Anglesea Captain Noel Foster with The Hon. Gayle Tierney MP
Volunteers from Anglesea Fire Brigade celebrated the official opening of their new satellite fire station on Harvey Street over the weekend.
Brigade members were joined by local community members, Member for Western Victoria, The Hon. Gayle Tierney MP and CFA Acting Chief Officer Garry Cook on Sunday for the official opening.
The new $520,000 facility is a secondary station for brigade members to respond from, with the primary station located on Great Ocean Road in the Anglesea township.
According to Anglesea Captain Noel Foster, the new satellite station will not only enable the brigade to respond to events more effectively, but it will also house the brigade's new ultralight tanker, which was officially handed over during Sunday’s celebrations.
"The beauty of the ultralight tanker is that you don't need a truck licence to drive it," said Noel.
“That means any of our members can operate the ultralight tanker, which enables us to respond to events more quickly.
"Whether it's used to protect communities on the coast or for interstate deployments, this is a valuable firefighting resource."
A sign for the new satellite station, using artwork from Billy Jay O'Toole's painting ‘Gunyanggurta’, was generously gifted to the Anglesea Fire Brigade and unveiled during the official proceedings.
The artwork represents a sunrise, heathland, animal trails, and the Anglesea River joining the sea. It also reflects on the history of using fire as a tool to care for the land, as well as the parallels between CFA volunteers and how they come together to protect the community and care for country.
Acting Chief Officer Garry Cook said it was an honour to officially open the new facility.
“The old satellite station served the brigade and the community well for many years,” A/CO Cook said.
“The new, improved station is an asset to Anglesea and the wider community, and will allow our volunteers to continue carrying out their important role in protecting lives and property now and well into the future.
“Thank you to the brigade for their invaluable service to their local community and wider area.”
Captain Noel Foster and Corrina Eccles - representing Wadawurrung Traditional Owners-
Acting Chief Officer, Garry Cook
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Anglesea brigade members with Acting Chief Officer Garry Cook
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Former Anglesea satellite station
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New Anglesea satellite station