ALL PRAISE FOR CFA
Member for Bendigo West, Maree Edwards yesterday in Parliament praised the tireless efforts of local CFA organisations. In particular Ms Edwards highlighted the outstanding achievements of Mr Tommy Kilmartin from Kangaroo Flat CFA who received his 65 year service medal and life membership and Mr Wally Browning who was also made a life member.
Ms Edwards attended the Kangaroo Flat CFA Brigade’s annual dinner and presentation night on Saturday night. The Kangaroo Flat CFA Brigade is now in its 139th year.
“I also applaud the much deserved recipients of the newly instituted National Emergency Medal, Eaglehawk captain Eric Smith and Elphinstone captain Andy Chapman.”
“These medals were awarded in recognition of their courage and leadership during the Black Saturday fires in Bendigo and Redesdale.”
“The Kangaroo Flat CFA volunteer brigade has a long and brave history with tremendous service to the community, not just in Kangaroo Flat, but across all of Central Victoria.”
“But now the brigade is in a state of limbo, waiting to hear if their planned new fire station will go ahead following the National Party Leader’s decision to cut $41 million from the CFA budget.”
“The current station is a shed that is too small for the growing brigade and the number of vehicles the brigade accommodates,” Ms Edwards said.
“Of particular concern to the Kangaroo Flat CFA is that the land that has been purchased by the CFA for their new building could be sold from under them.”
“The Minister must come clean and allay any fears this great volunteer brigade has about their future.”