Woosang Fire Brigade centenary celebrations

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Eighty brigade members, both past and present, and their families attended the Woosang Fire Brigade centenary event last weekend (15 August).

Special guests on the day included, CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan AFSM, District 20 ACFO Micheal Sporton, VFBV Board member Greg Murphy, Fred White (ex captain and now member of Cobram brigade), Wedderburn Group Officer Joel Polkinghorne and Wedderburn Group Secretary Karen Fazzani.

MC for the event was former Chief Officer and Woosang Fire Brigade Lieutenant Euan Ferguson AFSM, who opened the event. A history of the brigade was presented by Roger Paterson.

The foundations of Woosang brigade were laid in 2026 when an inaugural meeting was held in the district. JM Gould was appointed as the brigade's first captain. Following World War 2 Woosang was formally recognised as a Rural Fire Brigade in 1946.

In its early years, the brigade relied on basic firefighting equipment, including a square 200 gallon water tank fitted with a low mounted pump on a sliding platform. This unit was transported on a privately owned farm truck. Other essential firefighting tools of the era included leather beaters and knapsack spray units.

Between 1964 and 1966, the brigade was provided with a seasonal standing fire truck for used during fire season. In 1967, this was replaced with a new Austin tanker, which was initially housed at the White family property until the CFA station was constructed in 1970 on land generously donated by Mr N Gould.

Following the completion of the station, the brigade's water tanks previously located on private properties were relocated to the new site. In 1973 the brigade celebrated the installation of its first telephone at the station, significantly improving communications.

On 23 June 1988, Woosang received an Isuzu 2.2 medium tanker which served the community for many years. In 2015 it was replaced by a Hino 2.4C medium tanker. A four-wheel-drive crew cab truck equipped with the latest CFA features including radiant heat protection curtains.

Another significant milestone was achieved in 2014 with the completion of the new fire station, which replaced the ageing single bay shed that had no amenities. The modern facility features a two-bay truck room, kitchen facilities and accessible amenities. The new station provides members with a safe comfortable and contemporary base from which to serve the community while ensuring the brigade is well equipped to meet both current and future operational needs.

One of the brigade's proudest traditions has been in its success in the CFA demonstrations (Now called the Firefighter Championships) and firefighting competitions during the 1950s through to the 1990s. Woosang members regularly represented their community at regional and state events. The brigade was considered among the strongest demonstration brigades in the region, being recognised as the best brigade for six consecutive years between 1952 and 1958.

National Medals (1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd Clasp) were presented by Chief Officer Jason Heffernan to Captain Murray Gould and Jeffrey Round for their service. While ACFO Sporton read out the citations.

Service awards were presented to the following members.

Five years: Ingrid Gould and Brian Dickson

10 years: Kristin Ferguson, Hannah Gould, Paigan Gould & Molly Gould

15 years: Jake Hayes (3^rd Lt)

20 years: Euan Ferguson AFSM (4^th Lt)

35 years: Frank Cooper & Cameron Turnbull (2^nd Lt)

40 years: Alistair White (Sec)

45 years: Murray Gould (Capt) & Ian Gould (1^st Lt)

50 years: Malcolm Burge and Garry Hayes

55 years: Jeffrey Round

60 years: Roger Paterson

65 years: Colin Stewart

The day concluded with a photo shoot by Kylie Findley (Roger’s daughter) and afternoon tea supplied by local catering guru Susan Lockhart.

Woosang Fire Brigade would like to thank everyone for helping make this milestone a memorable occasion, especially BASO Erica Potter who brought the day together and served as a go-to for the brigade.