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Monday, 19 August 2019 12:44

Announcement of Volunteer Nominations to the CFA Board

Written by

VFBV welcomes the announcement of the three volunteer nominations to the CFA Board.

Peter Shaw has been renominated to the CFA Board having served on the Board for the previous three years. Peter has been a volunteer since 1974 and is currently Group Officer for the Knox Group in District 13, and member of The Basin Fire Brigade. Peter brings extensive emergency management experience to the role, having served with Victoria Police concurrently with his CFA service for over thirty-five years.

Joining Peter, are newly appointed members Dawn Hartog and Kent Griffin.

Dawn is Captain of Toolangi Fire Brigade in District 12, and serves as Chair of the District 12 DPC. She has extensive experience across the education, training and the emergency management sector in addition to her volunteer experience, having had roles with CFA, Royal Life Saving Society of Australia, EMV and currently performs a senior role with DELWP. Dawn has a Masters in Adult Education and has commenced a Doctorate of Philosophy specialising in Education, Fire Safety and School education.

Kent is a member of the Langley-Barfold Brigade in District 2, where he currently serves as Brigade Secretary and Treasurer. Kent is a very experienced board director and senior executive, and is currently the Chief Financial Officer for TAL, one of Australia’s leading life insurance companies. Kent was previously a partner with Ernst & Young. He has led and developed teams over many years, including transformational change within finance and actuarial functions at enterprise level and is a very experienced director having held various director positions on companies across Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Thailand and India.

VFBV is confident that together, Peter, Dawn and Kent will bring significant experience and capability to the CFA Board and make a valuable contribution to the future CFA. They along with the other impressive applicants demonstrate the extensive breadth, experience and skills within the volunteer ranks and are a shining example of the professionalism and capability of CFA volunteers.

We also take this opportunity to thank outgoing CFA Board members Lynda Hamilton, Hazel Clothier and Tim Young who each served on the Board for the previous three years. They join a long list of Victorians who have stepped up to represent their communities and volunteers at the Board table. We remain forever indebted to their service and contribution, noting all are eligible for renomination in the future. Given the particularly difficult period that CFA has undergone over the last three years, VFBV expresses its sincere thanks for their efforts and contributions during their time on the CFA Board.


In the process of finalising these positions, an unexpected late withdrawal of a selected nominee has created a casual vacancy. The Minister has established a process to fill this remaining position, to which we are now working towards. VFBV has completed its advertising and interview process for this vacancy, with interviews of applicants continuing over the weekend. A new panel is being finalised by the VFBV Board for submission to the Minister shortly.

We are hopeful for an expedited announcement regarding the fourth nominee, and will await the results of the Minister’s  deliberations, with an announcement expected shortly.

On behalf of the VFBV Board and State Council – please join us in congratulating Peter, Dawn and Kent on their appointments to the CFA Board, and thank-you to Lynda, Hazel and Tim for their valued and respected service and contribution over the last three years.

Friday, 16 August 2019 13:08

Free entry to AFAC19 Exhibition

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VFBV is proud to be a supporting partner to this years AFAC Conference powered by Interschutz.

Interschutz is kindly offering free entry to this years Trade Exhibition that is run in parallel to the AFAC Conference. All CFA volunteers and VFBV members registering for the Trade Exhibition will also be given a complimentary $15 lunch voucher.

The Trade Exhibition is being held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on Tuesday 27 August through to Thursday 29th August 2019.

The exhibition features 12,000 sqm of exhibition space; close to 200 cutting edge equipment and service providers; 30+ Expo stage presentations; live demonstrations; AIDR Knowledge Centre and more. Come and see the latest technology, personal protective clothing, and equipment on display by some of the world’s largest emergency management suppliers and manufacturers.

VFBV will be on stand #595 and members are welcome to drop by and have a chat. We will have laptops on hand so volunteers can complete this year’s VFBV Welfare & Efficiency Survey while they are there. Our colleagues from our National Body will also be present, with the Council of Australian Volunteer Fire Associations (CAVFA) on stand #597 who we’ll also be helping out during the week.

Do the following to register for your free Visitor pass and to secure your free $15 lunch voucher:

·         Visit https://www.afacconference.com.au/register/ 

·         Select Visitor Pass (scroll down to the bottom right hand corner)

·         Enter your details

·         Under Conference Delegate, select Exhibition Visitor Only

·         Choose the Member option

·         Select your Organisation – members can select either Country Fire Authority or Council of Australian Volunteer Fire Associations.

·         Complete the remaining details

You will receive an email confirmation and barcode for you to hand in on the day to pick up your pass and lunch ticket.

Friday, 09 August 2019 10:23

August 2019 Newsletter

Written by

Presumptive Regulations
By Adam Barnett, VFBV Chief Executive Officer

I am pleased to report on the positive progress made in developing the Firefighters’ Presumptive Rights Compensation Regulations 2019 and the work of VFBV in advocating strongly for CFA volunteers.

Presumptive Legislation provides a rebuttable presumption for volunteer and career firefighters suffering from specified forms of cancer. It legislates that these cancers are presumed to be due to the nature of their service as a firefighter for the purposes of claiming compensation. It is intended to reverse the onus of proof so the sick firefighter does not have to needlessly face the almost impossible task of proving which specific fires, incidents or toxins caused the cancer.

The presumptive rights part of the legislation formed Part 2 of the Government’s Fire Services Reform Bill, and, unlike the remaining parts of the legislation, the presumptive rights portion of the Bill came into operation on the day after the Act received Royal Assent.

One of the first priorities for VFBV was to influence the Firefighters’ Presumptive Rights Compensation Regulations that were to be developed immediately following Royal Assent. While the Bill provides the framework for the law, the Regulations provide the detail and specifics that are required to give practical effect to how administrative processes would actually work. For volunteers in particular, the Regulations are even more critical, as they deal with the workings of the controversial ‘advisory committee’ required for all Victorian volunteer firefighter claims.

VFBV’s concerns and objections to the additional barriers and processes that only volunteer firefighter claims must go through are well known and documented. I am not going to repeat them here. However, while the regulations are not able to completely cure those problems (as they have to operate within the framework of the principal legislation), we saw an opportunity to work with Government and stakeholders to develop the regulations in such a way that could minimise the harm while hopefully mitigating the potential bias that the legislation creates. The goal was to influence the regulations as best we could to ensure volunteers received as fair and respectful treatment as possible under the circumstances.

That is why I am so pleased to report that our hard work and collaboration over many weeks with the Minister, the Hon. Lisa Neville, her staff, EMV and Worksafe on the drafting has had some positive effects. The Regulations have consequently now been made by the Governor and were given effect on 9 July. And while there were, of course, compromises along the way, I am pleased with the result and very grateful for the hard work and good faith displayed by the Minister’s office in particular.

Discussions were very productive and respectful and gave me increased confidence that the much-needed healing of divisions of the past is on the right track.

One of VFBV’s primary objectives was to gain increased transparency in the advisory committee process and its outcomes. In this vein, the new Regulations require the advisory committee to provide its expert opinion (and the reasons for it) within 10 days of receiving the request from WorkSafe. The Regulations also now provide an opportunity for the claimant firefighter to provide their own information to the committee should they wish to – and the firefighter can request a copy of the expert opinion and the reasons for it, which must be provided within 7 days of the request being made.

These were key criticisms of the original legislation and these changes are important safeguards that volunteers will welcome as they significantly increase the transparency and accountability of the committee.

Other areas of importance was the ability for the nomination and activation of the three person panel to be tailored to best suit the nature of the application they are to review. For example, the panel that reviews whether a volunteer firefighter has ‘attended fires to the extent reasonably necessary’ could be made up of just fire service experts, which may be different to a panel established to review an exceptional exposure event that may requires scientific knowledge. This starts to lay the groundwork and shape the working of the panel closer to the simple ‘tick and flick’ process that was promised to us.

There is also provision for the panel to help the applicant firefighter obtain relevant records or local knowledge – an important safeguard should agency records be incomplete or insufficient.

With the Regulations now complete, VFBV’s next priority is to review the actual claims forms and process to ensure a sick firefighter is not delayed or confused by complicated paperwork. Our preliminary analysis indicates current forms are likely to be somewhat confusing for firefighters submitting a presumptive claim for cancer. This is mainly because the forms were primarily designed to report common workplace injuries where exact causes are known. We will now direct our efforts at working with WorkSafe and CFA on possible solutions. We are also investigating options for additional support for volunteers as they go through the claims process, and I’ll report back on progress shortly.

In summary, this is a positive outcome considering our starting point, and demonstrates the value of working cooperatively and in good faith with stakeholders to achieve a good outcome.

The proof will be in the pudding so to speak, so while good progress has been made on the intent and design of administrative processes, we will need to remain vigilant and monitor the progress of future claims that will test these processes. Despite the inherent weaknesses of the legislation, we will need to see whether these measures can, in fact, mitigate the different treatment of volunteers and career staff simply because one is paid. The ultimate measure of success will be that there is parity of results and all firefighters who go through the system receive fair, equitable and compassionate treatment. We will all need to monitor the situation closely to ensure those commitments and promises are kept.

Rob Gibbs

Most of us know the story of Rob Gibbs, who has courageously spoken up about his treatment by CFA and the authorities over the last three years as he has battled for compensation to support his medical expenses and care.

A few short years ago Rob was a healthy, active firefighter, filling key leadership roles, a regular first responder including attendance at many significant and well publicised incidents. Today Rob, 48, is wheelchair- bound and in constant pain from leukaemia. He is battling this terrible, painful illness and has clear advice from a medical specialist that his firefighting was the primary cause. And yet he continues to be forced to battle insurers and lawyers when he should be concentrating on his health and his family. Rob has been left out in the cold because the legislation that passed Parliament in June this year contained a clause that only backdated presumptive rights to diagnoses occurring after 1 June 2016.

VFBV will continue to support and campaign strongly for Rob, who deserves a fair and just outcome – not just for himself but for his wife and young daughter. We will keep working for the best, but Rob’s experience remains a cautionary tale and one I hope gets addressed as quickly as possible – not just for the trust of CFA volunteers but for the simple humanity, compassion and fairness that Rob is due. We will continue to monitor progress of Rob’s case and will keep you apprised.

AFAC Conference

Just a reminder that if you’re in Melbourne for this year’s AFAC Conference, pop in and say hello.

VFBV will be on Stand #595 in the exhibition space at the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre in Southbank throughout the conference. Members are welcome to drop by and have a chat. We will have laptops on hand so volunteers can complete this year’s VFBV Welfare & Efficiency Survey while they are there.



CFA Board Vacancy

Want to be part of leading and shaping the CFA into the future? You could be the right person for a position on the CFA Board.

A late withdrawal from the CFA Board nominee process has raised a second opportunity for members to nominate for the current round of appointments. The position is currently vacant and VFBV will expedite the process to ensure the position can be filled as quickly as possible. Applications opened on 30 July and close 15 August 2019.

The Board position is one of those nominated by VFBV and any member with experience who believes they have the skills and desire to play a leading role in the CFA is invited to apply. This position is for a CFA volunteer from a brigade serving predominately urban communities. VFBV notes the Victorian Government is committed to seeing equal representation of gender on boards, and female applicants from brigades serving predominately urban communities are highly encouraged to apply.

In addition to volunteer experience and knowledge, selection will have regard to any of the following: knowledge of, or experience in, commercial, technical, operational, legal or financial matters; or expertise in fire or emergency management, land management or any other field relevant to the performance of the functions of the CFA.

Previous applicants who attended interviews this year are not required to re-apply, as all will automatically be considered for the panel of names to be presented to the Minister.

The CFA Board meets on a monthly basis and also operates a committee system which could require a minimum commitment of 2 days per month. Attendance at official functions is also expected. The appointment to the CFA Board would be for a period of up to three years; the retiring members are eligible for re-appointment.

The CFA Board Charter is available from the VFBV office.

For other relevant information, interested volunteers should contact the VFBV office. Applications including a current resume must be emailed or faxed to VFBV by COB on Thursday 15 August 2019 to: Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Fax (03) 9886 1618.


VFBV Volunteer Welfare & Efficiency Survey

This year’s survey will open on Friday 23rd August to coincide with this year’s AFAC Conference being held in Melbourne.

The VFBV Volunteer Welfare and Efficiency Survey, now in its 8th year - is an annual snapshot of volunteer opinion and welfare. It has become a critical tool in monitoring short- and long-term trends, and the effectiveness of initiatives aimed at improving CFA volunteer engagement and wellbeing.

The survey is made up of 33 questions chosen by volunteers and takes just 10 or 15 minutes to complete. It is the largest survey of its kind in Australia, and VFBV supports the other Australian States and Territory volunteer associations in running the same survey within the other fire services to gain a national perspective.

Visit the VFBV website to pre-register for this year’s survey so you get notified the minute it opens.

 

Fast feedback needed

All members are asked to provide VFBV with feedback on the draft CFA Training Strategic Plan 2019-2024 by Sunday 25 August.

CFA commenced consultation on the draft plan on 26 July and copies can be sourced from your VFBV District Council or direct from the VFBV website.

Your views have already made a difference: strong feedback from the VFBV Volunteer Welfare and Efficiency Survey (Vol- WEL), which placed training as one of the top two frustrations and areas of dissatisfaction for volunteers, is quoted by CFA as a key influencer of the approach to the plan. CFA says the plan “responds to the 2018 VFBV Welfare and Efficiency survey feedback by ensuring that we provide sufficient training opportunities in formats and at times which in turn will make it easier for our people to complete their training.”

A number of commitments and statements of how activity will be delivered are included in the plan. Members ‘on the ground’ know best whether the strategic intent will deliver practical benefits on the ground, so your view is important.

Feedback can be sent direct to; Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; Post: 9/24 Lakeside Drive, Burwood East VIC 3151 or Fax: (03) 9886 1618

 

Executive Officer Appointed

VFBV continues to strengthen its skill base and our deep commitment to supporting CFA volunteers with the appointment of Mark Dryden to the VFBV Executive Officer role. Mark started his role on 1 August.

Mark is well known to members, having worked as a VFBV Support Officer in the South East since early 2016. Mark is also a long serving volunteer with more than 25 years’ service. He has served with multiple brigades throughout his life, such as Yackandandah (D24), Kialla (D22), Moorooduc and Skye (D8). He is presently settling in to his new home in Drouin in District 9.

Mark’s deep insights into the needs of volunteers, his experience liaising with many different stakeholders, his organisational and consultation skills and his in-depth knowledge of CFA will be greatly appreciated by VFBV and volunteers alike.

Thank-you to all applicants who applied: they have demonstrated the very high quality of competency and knowledge in candidates who have an interest in working for this unique and very important organisation.

VFBV has commenced advertising for the VFBV Support Officer – South East position, which is vacant as a result of Mark’s appointment. If you know of someone who would love to make a difference for CFA volunteers and who has the skills to facilitate good consultation, issue resolution and volunteer engagement, please refer to the advertisement on this page. Mark will continue to support the South East while the position remains vacant and as he transitions to his new role.

 

Bullying high but reporting low

The CFA complaints process continues to be one of the most serious and contentious issues dealt with by the Joint HR, Welfare and OH&S Committee. VFBV delegates are strongly pushing for volunteers to be fairly, equitably and appropriately treated in any complaint process, and for proper transparency about the process and tracking of cases to ensure they are resolved in a timely manner.

At a recent meeting the committee was informed that data received by CFA consistently indicates that rates of bullying and harassment are unacceptably high, however levels of reporting are low.

There is a perception that many volunteers feel there is little point in raising an issue as they believe it will not be dealt with adequately and fairly, or that there will be negative consequences for the complainant. The committee was told CFA is working on simplifying the process.

VFBV will continue to advocate for fundamental changes to CFA’s current discipline and complaints processes and is seeking an overhaul that will improve confidence amongst volunteers that members will receive natural justice and procedural fairness.

VFBV would advise any member who wishes to lodge a formal complaint to access:- https://cfaonline.cfa.vic.gov.au/mycfa/Show?pageId=display-Doc&docId=005323 

 

Making recruitment and retention easier

VFBV has formed a joint working party with CFA following repeated requests from brigades for a way to easily share and find information about existing and tested recruitment and retention strategies used by fellow brigades around the state. The working party will aim to ensure programs developed for brigades to retain and recruit new members are user-friendly.

Initiatives under review include editable marketing templates and knowledge-sharing platforms (which includes case studies direct from brigades about how they have re-engaged, recruited or retained members). Programs may include a variety of word style documents, brochures, still images and videos, and even a suggestion of podcasts. Rural decline is also part of the program, with a pilot underway in Edenhope (District 17) and Wedderburn (District 20).

CFA is also looking at youth retention and recruitment initiatives in other organisations, such as other emergency services, Scouts and the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme. It is believed that CFA has around 4000 operational youth members (aged between 16-17 years up to 24 years old). CFA is currently working through the seven key areas of child safety to ensure that the organisation is compliant and meet legislative requirements, which has caused some programs to ‘slow down’, such as the cadet program, Duke of Edinburgh Award, and La Trobe University visits.

CFA committed to continue supporting, maintaining and growing junior membership and ensuring that members under 18 years are made to feel safe at all times.

 


Position Vacant – VFBV Support Officer

VFBV is seeking to appoint a VFBV Support Officer to work in regional Victoria with VFBV District Councils, Brigades and volunteers to facilitate consultation, issues resolution and volunteer engagement.

The position is a State role, with emphasis and focus on providing support throughout CFA’s South East region (CFA Districts 8, 9, 10, 11 and 27.)

This is an existing position, with the incumbent moving to another role within VFBV.

In addition to relevant skills and experience, candidates will need to understand CFA and volunteerism, be good listeners; be able to facilitate good consultation; ability to establish productive networks; navigate through complex issues resolution; be self-starters and have a passion to improve arrangements that benefit the welfare and efficiency of CFA volunteers.

Extensive regional Victorian work travel is envisaged and flexible work base locations will be considered for the position, with the priority focus to assign a work location within the CFA South East Region.

Flexible working arrangements, to cater for extensive evening and weekend work, will be tailored to match the needs of our volunteer membership base.

This is a full-time position giving the right candidate an opportunity to really put his/her stamp on the VFBV of the future.

All applications must include both a current resume and a cover letter addressing the key selection criteria outlined in the position description available from the VFBV office or website

 

Thursday, 08 August 2019 17:12

Get to know this year's OAM recipients - Les Sumner OAM

Written by

In this year’s Queens Birthday Honours Leslie Rupert Sumner, Cobden, received an OAM for service to the community of Cobden, including through Jancourt Fire Brigade (since 1960) and Cobden Fire Brigades Group (since 2013). He was also head trainer and life member at Cobden Football and trainer for the Victorian Country Football League, in addition to other volunteering around Cobden.

To get to know Les, we asked for some personal insights into his life, especially with the CFA.

1. What prompted you to join the CFA?

I officially joined in 1960 which was when you had to register but I had been involved before that. My parents had bought a property at Cobrico and I got involved when I left school about 1950. We didn’t have a fire truck then but Clem Hose had a truck with a tank on the back. I remember there was a house fire beside us. We were milking in the morning and went out to get cows and saw the smoke. Dad knew the house so we flew up there but the house was gone. From then on whenever something happened you got a phone call to come and help. In ’51 we had big fires going through from Naroghid to the coast. Every day from January 26 to Good Friday we were out fighting fires and I was involved with that. When we shifted to Jancourt I got involved there.

2. What have been your roles with the CFA and are you still involved?

I’ve been a Jancourt member since 1960, secretary and delegate for the Jancourt brigade since 1969 and treasurer from 2003 to 2009, deputy group officer between 1981 and 2007 and secretary 1981 to 1997 and I’ve been assistant communications officer for the Cobden Fire Brigades Group since 2013. I’ve stepped back a bit but still do the comms role and I’m still secretary at Jancourt after more than 50 years.

3. What drives you to undertake roles, with CFA or anywhere, with such a focus on serving communities?

I just like to help the community. Everyone was involved. It’s a community thing when you’re in the country. When you’re in the country and your family is growing up you have to take them to things so you get involved. If you didn’t like doing it, you wouldn’t do it.

4. What is the most important thing you’ve learned in your time as a CFA volunteer?

Everyone is there for the same reason; to help your fellow person out, whether it’s a house fire or car accident or a cat stuck up a tree you’re there to help. In those days it you’d ring people to help on the telephone, now it’s all pagers.

5. What do you think your best achievements are in your role with CFA?

I’ve been to different places like the big fires in Sydney and to Marysville on Black Saturday. That was probably the worst, the town was completely decimated. It was shocking and very traumatic.

6. What is your best memory - funny or serious – about your time with CFA as a volunteer?

We did have a cat up a tree but our ladder wasn’t tall enough to go to the top so we had to bring in the big truck with the high ladder from Cobden. We only had a Willy’s jeep.

7. Which was your favourite role or activity with CFA and why?

I just enjoy being part of the team.

8. What makes a good CFA volunteer?

Do what you have to do and be a part of a team and get behind the leader. The sooner you get the job done, the sooner you get home.

 

Congratulations Les and thanks for being such an inspiring part of our CFA family.

 

PHOTO CREDIT: Cobden Timboon Coast Times

Tuesday, 06 August 2019 14:08

Position Vacant - VFBV Support Officer (South East)

Written by

VFBV is seeking to appoint a VFBV Support Officer to work in regional Victoria with VFBV District Councils, Brigades and volunteers to facilitate consultation, issues resolution and volunteer engagement.  

The position is a State role, with emphasis and focus on providing support throughout CFA’s South East region (CFA Districts 8, 9, 10, 11 and 27.)

This is an existing position, with the incumbent moving to another role within VFBV.

In addition to relevant skills and experience, candidates will need to understand CFA and volunteerism, be good listeners; be able to facilitate good consultation; ability to establish productive networks;   navigate through complex issues resolution; be self-starters and have a passion to improve arrangements that benefit the welfare and efficiency of CFA volunteers.

Extensive regional Victorian work travel is envisaged and flexible work base locations will be considered for the position, with the priority focus to assign a work location within the CFA South East Region.

Flexible working arrangements, to cater for extensive evening and weekend work, will be tailored to match the needs of our volunteer membership base.

This is a full time position giving the right candidate an opportunity to really put his/her stamp on the VFBV of the future.

All applications must include both a current resume and a cover letter addressing the key selection criteria outlined in the position description available from the VFBV office or website.

Send applications to the attention of the CEO, VFBV, PO Box 453, Mt. Waverley, Vic. 3149 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

Applications close Sunday 15th September 2019.

Any questions or queries re the application process should be directed to Cathie Smith from the VFBV Office on (03) 9886 1141 or via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Any interested applicants to the VFBV Support Officer position, are also encouraged to speak to one of our existing VFBV Support Officers and/or State Councillors who would be more than happy to give members a sense of the role.

Tuesday, 30 July 2019 11:41

Casual vacancy for appointment to CFA Board

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The opportunity has arisen for a volunteer nominee to be appointed to the CFA Board. 

As members would recall, in February this year VFBV advertised for applications from suitably experienced volunteers for appointment to one of four vacant CFA Board positions which were to expire this year at the end of their three year fixed term appointment.  With VFBV’s process to advertise for and nominate names to fill these positions completed last month, VFBV understands an announcement to confirm three of the appointments is imminent. 

In finalising the appointment an unexpected late withdrawal of one selected nominee has now created a further vacancy and therefore the VFBV Board has decided to reactivate its advertisement/selection process in order to fill this new vacancy.  The vacancy is for a CFA volunteer from a brigade predominately serving urban communities.

In light of significant legislative changes passed by the Victorian Parliament in June this year this is a significant opportunity to lead the future direction and shape of CFA.  The position is currently vacant and VFBV will be expediting the process to ensure the position can be filled as quickly as possible.  Applications are open and will close 15th August 2019.

Previous applicants who attended interviews this year are not required to re-apply, as all will automatically be considered for the panel of names to be presented to the Minister.  Members are reminded that the Victorian Government is committed to seeing equal representation of gender on boards, and female applicants from brigades serving predominately urban communities are highly encouraged to apply.

CFA volunteers who believe they have the skills, experience and capacity to make a contribution to the Board of the CFA, are invited to apply for nomination.  In addition to volunteer experience and knowledge, selection will have regard to any of the following:  knowledge of, or experience in, commercial, technical, operational, legal or financial matters; or expertise in fire or emergency management, land management or any other field relevant to the performance of the functions of the CFA.

From applications received and following interviews, VFBV will submit a panel of names to the Minister for Police & Emergency Services.

The CFA Board meets on a monthly basis and also operates a committee system which could require an additional commitment of one half day per month.  Attendance at official functions is also expected.

The appointment to the CFA Board would be for a period of up to three years; the retiring members are eligible for re-appointment.

The CFA Board Charter is available for download at the bottom of this page. For other relevant information, interested volunteers should contact the VFBV office.

Applications including a current resume must be emailed or faxed to VFBV by COB on Thursday 15th August 2019 to:   Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Fax 03 9886 1618.

In this year’s Queens Birthday Honours, Leolyn Clem Watkins was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for service to the community of Ararat, including as a member of Warrak Brigade since 1961, with Life Membership awarded in 1992.

To get to know Leo, we asked for some personal insights into his life, especially with the CFA.

1. What have been your roles with the CFA and are you still involved?

I was never a captain or anything like that; just one of the soldier ants, so to speak.

2. What drives you to undertake roles, with CFA or anywhere, with such a focus on serving communities?

I just did my little bit and was quite happy to do so, but there were a lot of others around the town who’ve done a lot more than I’ve done and are worthy of awards.  I’ve been out fighting fires and participated in whatever was going on around the place.   I was on any local committee around here; the hall committee, the cemetery Trust, the recreation committee. It was just the accepted thing; you were in the community so you did your bit. I don’t know if it was expected of you, but I could see the benefit of it and I was prepared to put my hand up.

3. What prompted you to join the CFA?

I think I joined in 1961. I’m 85 now, going on 86. I’ve got a sheep property here at Warrak, which is about 20 kilometres east of Ararat. It was just the accepted thing in those days. If you were in the community you had to be prepared to protect your properties. It’s only a small community but we all helped. It wasn’t just me, there were always others around the place who had properties. We got together and if there was a fire, we worked on it.

4. What is the most important thing you’ve learned in your time as a CFA volunteer?

It was good for me to be involved. You become aware of when there are fire ban days and you keep your eyes open and make sure you don’t do stupid things like grinding metal and that sort of thing. You become aware of how dangerous fires are and how easily they can start.

5. What do you think your best achievements are in your role with CFA?

Fortunately, where I’m situated, the fires never came any closer than five kilometres, though a fire did burn about 20 acres of scrub on a portion of a bush block which adjoins me. It was just good to be available to help when needed.

6. Which was your favourite role or activity with CFA and why?

I’ve tried and done the best I could just to help the brigade and the community with anything that was needed.

7. What makes a good CFA volunteer?

Be prepared to put aside what you’re doing and put your efforts to helping others.

 

Congratulations Leo and thanks for being such an inspiring part of our CFA family.

In this year’s Queens Birthday Honours Mervyn Arthur Hampson, from Mortlake, was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for service to veterans and their families through the Returned and Services League of Australia and Naval Association of Australia. A Life Member of Mortlake Fire Brigade, where he joined in 1979, he has received CFA’s 35-Year Service Award and National Medal.

To get to know Merv, we asked for some personal insights into his life, especially with the CFA.

1. What prompted you to join the CFA?

I joined in ’79. I’d done a lot of fire brigade training in the Navy. One day I was sitting at home here and saw the fire truck racing to a house fire and I realised it was my best friend’s house on fire. I raced down to see if could help. They were really short-handed and I ended up on the roof with the captain and he said you’d better join the brigade. I enjoyed it ever since.

2. What have been your roles with the CFA and are you still involved?

I’m still a member but I’m 79 now and I’m less active now. I haven’t had many roles. I’ve been Communications Officer. I never worked in the town – I was out on different farms all the time - so if the phone rang, I wouldn’t be any good as a lieutenant or a captain.

3. What drives you to undertake roles, with CFA or anywhere, with such a focus on serving communities?

I just like doing things; I can’t stand to be idle. As soon as I came out of the Navy, I was asked to join the RSL which I did and I’ve had a couple of stints as President, and I’m in that role at the moment. We didn’t have a branch of the Naval Association here in the south-west and a fellow asked me to help him to see if we could get together a little branch, which we did and it’s still going quite strong.

4. What is most important thing you’ve learned in your time as a CFA volunteer?

That’s a hard question, but I think it’s important to know how valuable it is to help people, plus getting the skills and training to know that if there’s a fire you’re able to do something about it and help people. I did all the relevant training courses up at the fire station and went to Fiskville and Penshurst a few times.

5. What do you think your best achievements are in your role with CFA?

The times I went away as staging area assistant manager. I went to several different places across the state to help when there were major fires. We went to a big one at Corryong, to Heyfield in Gippsland and a couple of stints in our district at Dunkeld and Dartmoor and a fair few others. I wasn’t home for Ash Wednesday. I was working at Port Campbell but ended up on the back of a truck and helped out down there.

6. What is your best memory - funny or serious – about your time with CFA as a volunteer?

Coming home from a big factory fire in Terang we decided to stop at the Noorat pub. We went in for a drink and stayed a while. A fella walked in and said you blokes must be with the fire brigade. He said there’s a truck out there and apparently its lost. The radio was going flat out - they were wanting to know where we were.

7. Which was your favourite role or activity with CFA and why?

I’ve had some wonderful experiences and met marvellous people. It’s good to be a part of the community, particularly in the staging area capacity where you record all the vehicles and everyone who goes out to a fire. If something happens and you want to find them, you know exactly where they are.

8. What makes a good CFA volunteer?

Dedication to your community.

 

Congratulations Merv and thanks for being such an inspiring part of our CFA family.

 

PHOTO CREDIT:  Western District Newspapers

In this year’s Queens Birthday Honours John McKenzie Fleming, Inverloch, received the OAM for service to the community of Wonthaggi, including the Glen Alvie Fire Brigade (since 1996) and Wonthaggi Fire Brigade (from 1961) where he is also a life member.

To get to know John, we asked for some personal insights into his life, especially with the CFA.

1. What prompted you to join the CFA?

I joined in 1961. I was the Holden dealer in Wonthaggi at the time. I used to see the old Austin pumper going down the main street with one person driving it going to a fire. He was the captain and also our grocer, his grocery shop was about 100 yards from the fire station. I asked him how come he was driving by himself, where’s the rest of your crew? He said they get along in due course so I said do you need some help? He said sure do so I joined and that was it.

2. What have been your roles with the CFA and are you still involved?

I’ve been brigade secretary, training officer and group officer for 18 years and been as far as Queensland fighting fires. One time we took 37 vehicles to Tenterfield and spent a week there helping because they’d been fighting fires for six weeks and were worn out. I also spent a week in northern Victoria in the logistics section when there were fires at Mount Beauty. People say we should pay you for the job you do; my answer to that is the day you pay me is the day I’ll resign. When you’re a volunteer you can choose what you want to do, you don’t own me.

3. What drives you to undertake roles, with CFA or anywhere, with such a focus on serving communities?

I’m 88 now and retired but I’ve had a saying for many years that we do these things because we can, not because we have to. You see a need and you try and fill it.

4. What is the most important thing you’ve learned in your time as a CFA volunteer?

Self-help. You can help protect your community but your community is the whole of Australia, not just your town. I don’t want to get into a debate about the CFA and MFB. That’s stupid. If that happens, we’ll lose our surge capacity and there will be some disastrous fires.

5. What do you think your best achievements are in your role with CFA?

Just being there and doing things. I was involved as a commissioner in the shire amalgamations in 1994 and we had the motto `make it happen’ and that’s what we did. It was the same with the CFA.

6. What is your best memory - funny or serious – about your time with CFA as a volunteer?

Every fire is different and you have to treat it as such. There were some stories I wouldn’t want to talk about, probably the stupid things with bureaucracy.

7. Which was your favourite role or activity with CFA and why?

Just being there. It’s good to contribute to the community.

8. What makes a good CFA volunteer?

Community interest. You need people to look after the community.

 

Congratulations John and thanks for being such an inspiring part of our CFA family.

 

PHOTO CREDIT: Brad Lester of The Great Southern Star

 

In this year’s Queens Birthday Honours. John Anthony Munckton of Glenaroua, received an OAM for service to the community of Seymour, including as a member of Glenaroua Fire Brigade, where he has volunteered since 1970, served as president from 1980-1996 and became a CFA Life Member in 2010.

To get to know John, we asked for some personal insights into his life, especially with the CFA.

1. What prompted you to join the CFA?

I joined in 1970. It was a natural thing to do. As a rural person, I have a sheep farm, you just served the community. Everyone pitched in. It’s a great sense of community when people pull together for a common cause.

2. What have been your roles with the CFA and are you still involved?

I was president for 16 years and was brigade representative to the group and region during that period, and basically a firefighter the whole time. I qualified as a crew leader in 2002.  I’ve received a life membership and a 45-year service medal. I’m still a member but I’m nearly 70 and not as active these days.

3. What drives you to undertake roles, with CFA or anywhere, with such a focus on serving communities?

I was a shire councillor for a number of years and twice shire president, I’ve been president and assistant secretary and a life member of the Seymour Agricultural and Pastoral Society which runs the Seymour Show, I’ve been president of the Victorian Wine Show, on the Pyalong Water Board and Seymour Primary School council, vice president of the Graziers Association and I was a member of other organisations. I just like contributing to the community.

4. What is the most important thing you’ve learned in your time as a CFA volunteer?

I appreciate that it’s purely a volunteer organisation and people pull together for a common cause. That’s something that should not be threatened by any bureaucracy or government because the bottom line of our community is voluntary involvement. If that saves money for any local, state or federal government that should be applauded and promoted.

5. What do you think your best achievements are in your role with CFA?

Just being there when I’m needed. When there was a fire and you were required, you dropped tools and off you went.

6. What is your best memory - funny or serious – about your time with CFA as a volunteer?

I have a lot of good memories. I could say the earlier days of my involvement in the CFA saw a freer way of doing things from members who were not subject to the political correctness and bureaucracy we now experience. For instance, we ate sandwiches at a fire prepared by our wives and ladies associated with the brigade – no-one died as far as I can remember.

In the early days, the old Austin fire truck was our stalwart and it had no protective sides and a crash gear box. You went out there armed only with a good woollen jumper, long pants and boots and some water and you didn’t know when you were coming home. Things have changed a lot, although I would say the safety side of firefighting has dramatically improved with better truck protection and personal clothing protection and tests or basic fire knowledge.

7. Which was your favourite role or activity with CFA and why?

I just enjoyed giving my time. I haven’t really thought about doing it, it was just part of community involvement.

8. What makes a good CFA volunteer?

Someone prepared to drop tools when the occasion requires and goes to defend the district and an individual’s property. 

 

Congratulations John and thanks for being such an inspiring part of our CFA family.

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CFA Volunteers are the unpaid professionals of our Emergency Services. VFBV is their united voice, and speaks on behalf of Victoria's 60,000 CFA Volunteers.

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