Ocean Grove Fire Brigade turned 75 years young and celebrated in a big way on Saturday to present significant service awards and national medals.
CFA Board Member Beth Davidson attended and helped present six CFA Service Awards.
Neil and Caroline Hickman were awarded life membership and Jason Barry was named firefighter of the year.
Captain Andrew Cooper said there were generations of firefighters in the room to celebrate the brigade’s history.
“It was great to come together with everyone to mark the milestone,” he said.
“It was a worthwhile event, with many stories shared around the room.”
Mr Cooper said the brigade has embraced and grown through change over the course of its 75-year history.
The inaugural meeting of the Ocean Grove Fire Brigade was held on 16 November 1946 and was attended by 29 interested residents. Volunteers registered their interest and the brigade was officially registered on 19 December 1946.
The next year, the brigade purchased a block of land in Hodgson Street and in 1950 an old army hut was relocated and repurposed into the fire station.
The brigade upgraded its facility in 1977 with a new $110,000 modern brick station built at the site. Eventually the brigade would outgrow the Hodgson Street site and move to its current site at Shell Road, that was officially opened in 2011.
In 2012, the Ocean Grove Fire Brigade became a CFA integrated station with career firefighters working alongside volunteer firefighters.
“This was a major change for the brigade and we worked hand-in-hand with the CFA catchment team and District to ensure a smooth transition,” he said.
“It was a great success and we have worked very closely with career firefighters ever since.
“Whenever we respond out the door, we do so with the same purpose, to protect lives and property.”
The brigade currently has 33 members, including 21 operational firefighters and 12 support members.
“The event was heart-warming – our brigade has such a rich history and we have members from a range of backgrounds,” Mr Cooper said.
“It’s important to reflect on where our brigade has come from and the people that have shaped it into what it is today.
“Many people don’t realise the volume of work necessary to create the strong and trusted asset the brigade is to the community today.”
