The excitement at this year's CFA/VFBV state championships was overwhelming with more than 880 members across 73 brigades coming together to compete as well as coaches, judges, officials, CFA and VFBV staff and spectators.
Members were eager to showcase their firefighting skills and celebrate all that CFA is, following the unfortunate cancellation of the 2019/20 Championships due to COVID-19.
This year's Championships were hosted at Mooroopna Recreation Reserve, Mooroopna across two weekends, 20-21 and 27-28 March. This is the first time in CFA history that the senior Championships have been hosted together.
CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said it was a great achievement having the Rural and Urban Championships together this year.
"My hat goes off to the organising teams," Jason said. "Bringing the Championships together has really meant that this year's event has been a fantastic celebration."
As well as the competition events, the Championships included an official opening ceremony, firefighting sprints, the Chief Chargers, training opportunities, a large corporate marquee, food vans and a children's entertainment area.
Congratulations to the overall winners of the Championships.
- Urban juniors - Melton A
- Urban seniors - Kangaroo Flat A
- Rural juniors - Strathmerton A
- Rural seniors - Beazley's Bridge A, Sedgwick B and Beazley's Bridge B.
A full list of the 2021 results can be found on the VFBV website.
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There was a strong corporate presence at the State Championships including Training, Inclusion and Fairness, Bushfire and Fire Prevention and Preparedness, Volunteer Sustainability team, and lots more. The corporate tent was open throughout both weekends receiving up to 1,000 visitors per day.
Brigade Member Megan Farhall, Firefighter, Molly Dune, Firefighter Scarlett Pearce
Elaine Firefighter Molly Dune said that whilst it was disappointing the event couldn't go ahead in 2020 their team was ready to go and keen to compete.
"The Champs are our favourite part of the year; we've been competing since we were 11 and we are now in our twenties," Molly said.
"Our brigade is like its own family," she added. "My favourite part of the Champs is definitely being able to come along and cheer each other on.
CFA and VFBV hope to open the State Championships to the wider community in 2022.
