Members of the Volunteer Sustainability have captured photos and stories featuring volunteers from the South East Region.
The roadshow is part of the Volunteer Recruitment and Retention project. The photos, taken by photographer and CFA volunteer Blair Dellemijn, form part of a suite of resources that will be delivered over the course of the project.
The three-day trip included stops at six brigades.
Mitchell Watson, Volunteer Sustainability Officer, shares his experience.
"The trip began at Narre Warren were we were greeted by some of their firefighters, members of the catering team as well as the brigade historian, Robin Anderson. A stop down the road in Bunyip had been planned, yet it has been a tough time for their area recently and they unfortunately were forced to call off due to operational activity. We are grateful for their commitment to helping protect their community.
"Briagolong brigade was bustling with almost 20 members, including new recruit Andy James who has recently started his minimum skills training, as well as members who have been in the brigade for many years. Firefighter Marilyn Benton spoke of the first time she joined a brigade in 1991, where she was the only female, which is quite the contrast to Briagolong's almost equal gender representation today.
"At the furthest brigade of the trip, just past Bairnsdale in Johnsonville, we started the day's shoot with a sausage sizzle, which drew in members and their families regardless of the wet and windy day. We spoke to Rebecca Coombes who joined the brigade eight months ago after hearing stories from the captain who she worked with. She is now the Tambo Group Secretary.
"The smallest shed of the trip was the next stop, where the brigade captain and three lieutenants met our photographer Blair at their Perry Bridge Fire Station. Fourth lieutenant and Community Safety Coordinator Jean Ribolli, a 10-year volunteer with CFA, also volunteers with SES, believing volunteering is good for your soul. The members own or work at properties nearby.
"The photo road trip stopped next in Port Albert, a town rich with history and not far down the coast from Wilson's Promontory National Park. Port Albert is also home to a coastguard; member Peter Price-Lewis volunteers for both.
"The last stop for the trip, down a long dirt road with beautiful scenic views, was Allambee Fire Brigade. This brigade may go a year with just one call out, yet has an incredible amount of active members and used the photo shoot as an opportunity for members to catch up.
The most noteworthy conclusion from the journey was that despite the South East Region's demanding fire season, every volunteer met us with smiling faces and stories to share."
The photos from the trip will soon be uploaded to CFA's Digital Library (formally CFA Pix), where members can access the photos for recruitment, retention or re-engagement purposes.
