Koroit Fire Brigade held a celebratory dinner last Saturday evening to commemorate 125 years of service in its community followed by the formal opening of the new $1.68m Koroit fire station on Sunday 29 April.
(Left to right) Emergency Management Commissioner Craig Lapsley, Captain Leigh Mugavin, Ex Captain Bert Morris, Ex-Captain David Lumsden and Assistant Chief Officer Rohan Luke cut the celebratory cake. Photo by Melissa Mueglitz
The event was attended by past and present members, representatives from other emergency services and community groups, including Emergency Management Commissioner, Mr Craig Lapsley.
CFA Assistant Chief Officer Rohan Luke presented Koroit Captain Leigh Mugavin with a commemorative plaque to mark the occasion.
Captain Mugavin said he was honoured to receive the award on behalf of the brigade.
“The brigade is proud to have served the community of Koroit and its surround for 125 years, and we look forward to continuing this service well in to the future”.
The brigade also recognised the service of many of its long standing members, with David Lumsden, James Beck and Kenneth (Alby) Martin all awarded the National Medal and Clasps, whilst Albert (Bert) Morris and Kelvin White received incremental clasps for their National Medal.
Trophies were also presented to Daryl Woodward and Ellen Gardiner for Firefighter of the Year and Bert Morris Encouragement Award respectively, whilst Darren Rentsch, David Lumsden, Danny Keane and Phil McCosh joined the prestigious group who have been awarded Brigade Life Membership to Koroit Fire Brigade.
The brigade followed on from their dinner celebrations with another gathering the next morning to officially open their new station on Mill Street.
Ms Gayle Tierney MP, Member for Western Victoria, unveiled a commemorative plaque for the new station, which replaces the previous station located on High Street.
Captain Mugavin said the new station would be a great asset to the brigade in supporting the rapidly expanding township of Koroit and surrounding communities.
“Community safety will always be our number one priority and we now have the new and improved fire station to ensure we can respond to all incidents as quickly and efficiently as possible.”
“This new station is a big step up from our previous arrangements and will serve us well into the future.”
Construction of the new fire station was completed in September last year. The project cost approximately $1.68 million and was funded through CFA’s Capital Works Program.