This year will see the anticipated return of the Torchlight Procession at the CFA/VFBV State Championships, with brigades encouraged to register for the traditional event.
Torchlight Processions are a traditional part of CFA history and culture, dating as far back in 1873 when the first demonstration was given by Victoria’s fire services through the streets of Melbourne.
Long-time Championships stalwart Peter Davis is again helping organise the event and said with the Championships less than a month away, there is still time for brigades to sign up and participate in the procession.
“COVID stopped the last two years, and it also means that numbers have unfortunately dropped this year.
“It used to be that brigades competing in the Championships would participate, but we’re extending the invite to every brigade in the state, so anyone who would like to come along and march can do so.
“We’re particularly calling for brigades around the Shepparton and Mooroopna area to consider registering.”
The Junior Rural Championships will be held on the 19th and 20th March, while the Senior Rural, Junior Urban, and Senior Urban Championships will be held the following weekend on the 26th and 27th March.
With the combining of the Urban and Rural State Championships in recent years, the Torchlight Procession continues to be an important feature of the Championship program, with the procession to take place on the second weekend.
“It starts at 8:30 on Saturday night at Sobraon St in Shepparton before heading down Wyndham St and finishing at the Shepparton Arts Museum.
“The Chief Officer, VFBV President, and a colour party lead off and are followed by the brigades with a CFA tanker in front of each group,” said Peter Davis.
“The torches themselves are metal torches with a 2-foot-long wooden pole with the brigade members carrying them on their hips at a 45 degree angle.
“It looks quite spectacular as everyone is coming down the street.”
Any brigade which is not competing at the Championships and is keen to march in the Procession should contact Peter Davis (p.davis@cfa.vic.gov.au or 0458 933 797) no later than Friday 11 March 2022.