By MARA PATTISON-SOWDEN
THE Red Hot Fireman’s Ball was a flaming night of fun at the Sam Knott Hotel last month but, more importantly, the fundraiser will help the Wesburn-Millgrove Fire Brigade rebuild its station.
The second annual Fireman’s Ball was a huge success, according to captain Richard Ireland, with plenty of donated items from local businesses.
“We even raffled off a few firefighters… we’ve been donated to the winner’s mother for a day to help clean up her yard,” he said.
He said the last 12 months had been trying, with a large number of fire calls and an unfortunate accident last year that wrote off the brigade’s tanker.
“In January we attended in excess of 30 calls, for a small brigade of 25 members that was a big achievement for us,” he said.
“We’ve sent members on strike teams across Victoria as well.
“Thankfully no one was seriously injured in that accident and the CFA provided us with a replacement tanker.”
Brigade president Brian Halit said the plans had already been approved for the station rebuild, which would see the current station demolished and a new station erected on the same site.
“Because we’re looking to get another vehicle that the brigade will fund with some government assistance, a third bay will cost about $80,000… with fundraising and local support we’re hoping to fund it along with money from the ball,” he said.
Mr Halit said the current plans would see the rebuild begin before the end of this financial year, and finish before the end of the next financial year.
“We’re a very busy brigade and we’re kicking goals all over the place.
“We have very good support from local businesses and with gifts donated for the ball we raised quite a bit of money.”
Wesburn’s Sam Knott Hotel hosted the event on Friday 22 March with the volunteer services of a DJ and auctioneer and the River Valley Centre offering a courtesy bus for the night, which meant all profits went to the brigade.
