Wyuna fire brigade welcomes new Filipino members

With a population of only 262 people, and located halfway between Shepparton and Echuca, it’s a great boost for the Wyuna community. 

With approximately 40 callouts a year, the brigade mostly attends grass and bushfires. The Murray Valley Highway runs directly through the area which means they also see their fair share of road accidents. 

The brigade is very much part of the close farming community, especially during the summer months, hosting barbecues out of the brigade shed. 

New member Carlbyrd ‘Carl’ Cabaraban shared his motivation behind joining CFA.  

“There is a huge culture of volunteerism in the Philippines, just like here in Australia and it’s a value I try to pass along to my children,” Carl said.  

“I volunteered for Caritas Philippines for 12 years before moving here, so volunteering in my community is something I have always done. 

“Since joining CFA the brigade, our captain and the entire leadership team have been very accommodating and empowering in terms of pushing us to finish the training and be part of the brigade.  

“It was a very heartwarming and accepting experience when we finished our training, and everyone has been very welcoming to us.

“We consider this our new home already.” 

New member Francis Cueva shared similar sentiments.  

“When my family first came in 2009 there weren’t many other Filipinos here compared to now. But the community is very accepting and welcomed us. We’re very thankful,” Francis said. 

“The biggest cultural difference here is the food. There weren’t many Asian stores for ingredients back in 2009, but now Woolworths has a lot more variety and has an Asian aisle.  

“Also, Asian shops in Shepparton have opened for ingredients. I enjoy introducing new food to the brigade so there’s some variety from a typical Aussie BBQ. 

“Being a member with CFA is a good way to give back to the community, particularly as an immigrant who has been welcomed here.  

“Before we joined a lot of the members were getting older and the brigade had fewer volunteers, so they reached out to the dairy farms for new members. That’s how I ended up going to my first meeting and joining the brigade.”  

Captain Harold Montgomery expressed the importance of recruiting new members.  

“We have about 20 members on the books but a few of them are in their 70s now. A while back we gave out two 50-year service and one 55-year service medals, so it's important we can get new recruits while we still have these experienced members who can pass along that knowledge,” Harold said. 

Regional and rural communities are still very much in need of more volunteers, particularly daytime responders and younger members. 

There has been a growing number of younger people recently joining CFA, with 55 per cent of new recruits in the past 12 months falling into the 18 to 44 years of age category. 

If you’re interested in joining CFA or learning more about volunteering, visit to www.cfa.vic.gov.au/volunteer.