Barwon Heads Fire Brigade has launched a fundraising drive to raise $55,000 to help pay for its fire station expansion.
While the building project was completed in June, the brigade delayed its fundraising activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With the situation improving, the brigade is getting back on track with fundraising activities.
Captain Helen Wood said the building project was necessary to ensure the long term sustainability of the brigade in its mission to protect the Barwon Heads community.
“We are a group of dedicated volunteers, committed to our ongoing ability to keeping the community safe, and to do that we need to have the right facilities, equipment and appliances to enable us to do so,” she said.
“In addition, safety is always our primary concern and the area where we got changed into our protective clothing was in direct proximity to where our fire trucks are located – this caused concerns when they were backing in and moving out.”
The expansion included expanding the motor room so that three vehicles could park side by side, creating a new entry and dedicated changing area for members, a new communications area and better utilisation of the current meeting and office space.
“We chose this program as it was more sustainable, utilising the existing boundaries rather than seeking more land,” Ms Wood said.
“We are really enjoying the new layout; the flow works really well and the new change rooms are great. We’re very pleased that all three appliances can now be housed side by side and the workshop has been restored to its primary use.”
To make a tax-deductible donation, ask to donate to the Barwon Heads Fire Brigade Reconstruction Project at Barwon Heads Bendigo Community Bank or donate via the donation link on Barwon Heads CFA’s Facebook page.
“We know 2020 has been a very difficult year for many people, first with the bushfires followed by the economic and health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic but I do hope people will be able to help us out for a very local cause,” Ms Wood said.
“The Victorian government provided a generous grant and the Barwon Heads Community Bank has committed to being a foundation donor, however, there is still a way to go. Our fundraising drive aims to raise $55,000 by December.
“We will hold a community event to officially ‘open’ the new facility when it is safe to do so, to which all donors will be invited and unveil a supporters board with the names of all those who have given $500 or above.
“We look forward to welcoming everyone to the expanded facility, and for it to serve our needs now and well into the future.”
