Championships 
HomePage Featured (470)
Budget woes
By Adam Barnett, VFBV Chief Executive Officer
Many a politician has described budgets as not just being a collection of numbers on a page, but rather an expression of the government’s values, principles and aspirations. In fact, this year’s Victorian Budget papers are emblazoned with the motto “Focused On What Matters Most” so it is a telling and insightful reflection of this government’s priorities. And spoiler alert – it is clearly not volunteers, fire services or CFA that matters the most.
Despite documenting a record tax hike under its new Emergency Services Tax, less of that money is making its way to CFA than ever before.
The budget papers reveal the new tax will collect $1.6 billion dollars this year. This is the highest tax haul ever in the entire history of the preceding Fire Services Property Levy. So, with this record tax haul – surely CFA must be receiving a record-breaking budget? And if it were, government MPs would be very excited to tell everyone about it right?
So, what did this year’s Parliamentary Public Accounts and Estimates Committee (PAEC) inquiry into the 2025-26 budget estimates reveal over its two weeks of testimony from accountable Ministers?
If “I love you” are the three hardest words in the English language according to Hollywood and boybands, then “The CFA budget is….” must be the four hardest words for a Victorian MP to utter.
Despite hours and hours of testimony, neither the Premier, Treasurer nor Minister for Emergency Services were able to answer a very simple question - what is CFA’s base budget this year? Each handballed to the other, with the Premier’s testimony in particular - a sickening example of meaningless rhetoric dressed up as compassion and empathy that ultimately ignores the very people they claim to support.
The hearings confirmed that it will cost $12M a year to administer the new tax. That’s code for bureaucrats – and is $2M more than what they committed to add to the CFA budget for fleet. Only in Victoria would spending on bureaucracy be more important than fire trucks.
Their non-response on the CFA budget is inconsequential however, as it is actually quite easy to calculate. If anything – their refusal to confirm what can already be calculated is a clear sign they find themselves on shaky ground.
First, let’s look at the legislation itself. Section 12(d) of the applicable Act states that in the case of levy rates for each year subsequent to the 2024-2025 levy year – “(2B) The percentage of the annual funding requirements of the CFA and VicSES that are to be funded by the levy in a levy year is 95%.”
Then we move to Section 12(5A) which stipulates that the Minister must publish the amount in dollars forecast for each funding recipient.
This was done through Government Gazette, dated 30 May 2025, that confirmed that 95% of CFA’s forecast annual funding requirements for the upcoming year 2025/26 was $312,004,751.
This makes it very easy to calculate that 100% of the forecast funding requirements for CFA is: $328,426,053.68 or in other words - $328 million. So now we compare this figure against the figure that the Treasurer tabled in PAEC last year for CFA’s forecast budget for 2024/25 – which was $337.6 million.
You don’t have to be Einstein to figure out then that this year’s number is about $9 million less than the year before. That’s the sixth year in a row.
Now when you heard the Government spruiking its new Emergency Services Tax and how our emergency services and volunteers were working harder than ever and needing much more support to justify the huge tax increases being imposed on property owners, where in that did you see them admit they were increasing the taxes they were collecting but would actually be giving less money to Victoria’s largest volunteer emergency service whom they labelled their tax after? The extra money collected is now being diverted to Government departments and public sector employees, making a mockery that this new tax would be supporting Victoria’s front line emergency services. Don’t take my word for it, refer to the Government Gazette which now shows that only $1.1 billion of the $1.6 billion taxes collected are actually going to CFA, FRV and SES. The other $500M is now being sent to departments that used to already be funded under consolidated revenue which is not only $500M in new revenue, but an extra $500M they are no longer spending from consolidated revenue.
So, what would a real investment in CFA look like? Well – it would cost $515M to replace every single CFA truck in the fleet that is older than 20 years – even if you could do it all at once in a single year. How much did they actually commit from their record tax haul in extra funding? - $10M. That is not a typo. That’s just three fifths of one cent for every dollar collected.
Don’t fall for the $40M figure they bandy about – that is $10M over four years. Don’t fall for the $70M “rolling fleet” they bandy about. That’s the $10M a year for CFA (40), and $7.5M for SES over four years (30). And don’t fall for the $110M “rolling truck” figure they bandy about. That’s just the $70M over four years for CFA and SES plus the new $10M for FRV over four years. (40) Talk about how many ways can you spin a single depressingly tiny figure.
This is the reality of the new emergency services tax. Gouging the eyes out of Victorian property owners without actually addressing the fundamental issues of Victoria’s creaking old fire truck fleet.
So, if that won’t move the needle on this much needed investment what will it actually take? I shudder to think it will only take a fatality or serious injury when an old truck fails on the fire ground to spark action.
We must continue to call out the brazen spin and mischievous untruths that continue to pull the wool over the eyes of Victorians and how badly its fire service budgets are being managed. While the $10M investment is progress, VFBV will be redoubling its efforts to educate on the ageing CFA truck fleet and the looming catastrophe of a decade of fleet and budget mismanagement.
I have also recently reiterated VFBV’s support for the actions taken by the Municipal Association of Victoria in its opposition to the new tax. We have requested that councils show a pie chart on rates notices that clearly shows taxpayers how much of their emergency service tax is actually going to each emergency service. This will show how little is going to frontline services. Our analysis confirms that just 20% of the total revenue collected from this new tax will go towards CFA. 50% will go towards FRV. The remaining 30% is now being redirected away from the fire services – and will now fund other government entities.
Given it is CFA volunteers who will still be relying on fundraising to fund essential equipment, trucks and stations they require just to protect their communities – we must educate the public that only 20 cents in every dollar they are paying in the new tax will actually make its way to CFA.
We will continue our public advocacy on the new tax, and I want to thank each and every individual volunteer who has made contact with their local member of parliament to discuss the impacts the government’s new tax is having on their community, and the unfair treatment of CFA in the government’s budgeting process.
And while recent rains may take drought from front of mind for some, most of our members will know these very small rainfalls will have little to no impact on long-term drought conditions across Victoria. For those in the west of the state especially – conditions continue to be dire.
VFBV has prepared a Drought Relief resource guide to assist volunteers navigate what can be a very complex and confusing array of support. Our guide attempts to outline each of the supports available and where people can go to access more information.
Just like our flood and fire relief guides, the information is dynamic and changing daily – but this collection of information in one place is hoped to make a world of difference for those really struggling. Paper copies are available from the office, so please don’t hesitate to reach out and ask for one to be posted to you should you not be able to access our online resources.
On a positive note, there has been recent good engagement and discussion on the proposed revised CFA Regulations with government. Thank-you to all members who got in touch to highlight the issues of most concern to you and your brigade. While it is still too early to judge progress, I am happy with the level of consultation and engagement by Minister Ward and the Department to ensure they are very clear on the issues and which aspects may negatively affect volunteers.
For example, we continue to hold serious concerns about the imbalance of power between CFA and volunteers on matters such as injury compensation, and have advocated very strongly for changes that ensure volunteers have the same rights and protections as any other Victorian worker claiming for injury through Worksafe. Thank-you to each volunteer who has contributed to our advocacy on this issue and provided feedback to either us or EngageVictoria.
With private members bill’s entering the South Australian parliament to expand SA’s treatment of firefighters under their respective presumptive legislation scheme and the number of cancers covered, VFBV’s advocacy continues on Victoria’s scheme which now sees Victoria progressively falling behind. The SA bills also propose including PTSD in line with QLD, TAS and NT, and asbestos related cancers in line with QLD and NT.
Firefighters deserve protection from the risks they are forced to expose themselves to when rushing to the aid of their fellow citizens. Cancers do not discriminate depending on what side of a line on a map you happen to live, and neither should our cancer legislation.
While we have accomplished much, there still remains much to do.
VESEP Open
Applications are now open for the Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP), with applications closing 28th July, 2025. VESEP provides grants of $2 for every $1 of Brigade or Group funding.
The popular VFBV Help Pack has been updated to assist brigades and groups with their applications and is available from the VFBV website with paper copies available up on request.
VESEP is designed for brigades to purchase essential operational equipment, vehicles and appliances and minor facility improvements.
The program offers five categories plus Statewide & DPC Local Initiatives: -
· Primary Response Appliances
· Specialist & Support Vehicles
· Operational Equipment
· Volunteer Amenities $<5K
· Minor Works $<250K.
Applications for minor works need to be registered with CFA Land and Building services before the 14th July to allow for proper scoping.
This is the programs 25th year, and was designed in close consultation with VFBV, with the intent of being a grants program designed by volunteers with minimal administration required from volunteers.
VFBV wishes everyone the best in their applications and will continue to assist and support you in protecting Victorian communities.
2025/26 Affiliations
Thank you to all affiliated brigades and groups last year in helping us stand up for volunteers.
Affiliation sends a strong message that volunteers are united and will work together to achieve positive outcomes that benefit not only brigades, but the broader community in which we all protect.
Those who pay before 31 July will be automatically entered into a draw to win one of four extremely worthwhile prizes valued at approximately $4,000. Prizes have been donated by GAAM and we sincerely thank them for their continued support.
2FA
CFA volunteers intending on claiming the volunteer rebate from the new Emergency Services Tax, will be required to first log-in to their CFA Members Online account (formerly Brigades Online). If you have never used your account or logged in this year, we highly recommend that you register and set-up your two-factor authentication (2FA) ASAP, as this will be required for you to progress in the rebate system.
Two factor authentication is a security process to ensure the security of CFA systems and guard against hackers. If you have online banking – you most likely have used 2FA before. But it takes a little setting up – so we highly encourage members to do this before rates notices go out.
Head to https://www.members.cfa.vic.gov.au/ to start the process.
VFBV has requested CFA refresh and update all its guides to ensure members have access to easy to follow information on how to set-up their accounts. CFA has advised this work is well progressed.
VFBV has also highlighted the issue with there being no planned way for a volunteer to apply for the rebate that does not involve accessing CFA and government online services. We believe the system must be able to accommodate those that do not have online access, and we continue to advocate for an alternative method for those affected.
VFBV Board Positions
Vacancies on the VFBV Board will arise when the terms of four VFBV Board members expire on the 1st October 2025. All are eligible for re-appointment.
VFBV invites applications from any CFA volunteer who is motivated by the prospect of making a difference and believes they have the skills to contribute to VFBV at the board level.
The role of a board member involves contributing to VFBV direction, policy determination and monitoring the performance and governance of the Association. This includes actively contributing to policy discussion, consulting with CFA volunteers and contributing to the identification and management of strategic issues.
VFBV is seeking applications from gender and culturally diverse candidates in addition to a diverse range of skills and experience including applications from diverse brigade types and classifications.
Members should familiarise themselves with the VFBV Board member role statement and key selection criteria available from the VFBV website or via the office at (03) 9886 1141.
Applications close on Monday 1st September 2025.
King’s Birthday Honours
VFBV extends its congratulations to the four CFA members who received the prestigious Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM) in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours.
Sharron Merritt AFSM was recognised for her leadership in CFA in establishing a large animal rescue unit at Macclesfield brigade.
Peter Langridge AFSM has been recognised for his leadership in transforming CFA’s health monitoring and firefighter rehabilitation through the establishment of rehabilitation units across the state.
Colin Brown AFSM has been instrumental in advancements in township protection plans, improvements to Incident Control Centres and the creating of the Your Emergency Services (YES) program in the Yarra Valley.
Tony Scicluna AFSM has played an instrumental role in developing and rolling out of minimum skills within CFA as well other training packages including chainsaw training and the updated General Firefighter training package.
VFBV’s congratulations are also extended to Andy Waterson from Fire Rescue Victoria and Shuan Lawlor from DEECA who also received the Australia Fire Service Medal. We also congratulate the current and former CFA members who have been honoured with the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) and as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM).
Cert IV EOI
Expressions of interest are now open for members wishing to undertake a Certificate IV in Leadership and Management course. This course is an integral part of the Volunteer Leadership Development program.
The nationally accredited course equips graduates with transferable skills in essential leadership and management, enabling them to apply their knowledge across various roles, including those within CFA, the private sector, and community roles.
Whether you are an existing leader seeking further training or a formal qualification, or an aspiring leader looking to formalise your qualifications, this program offers a clear pathway to enhance your capabilities.
It is a 12 month program, predominately online and self-paced allowing flexibility. It requires a notional commitment of around 10 hours per week.
The EOI is open for those interested in participating in the August 2025 course or beyond. EOI’s are made to CFA by visiting the Volunteer Leadership Development page on Members Online.
Fire Wise – July 2025 online only edition
The July 2025 edition of Fire Wise has been published online only, this edition and past editions are available from the Fire Wise website.
You can support Fire Wise and the role it plays as an independent voice in keeping volunteers informed by becoming a subscriber. To become a subscriber visit the Fire Wise website or contact the Managing Editor of Fire Wise, Gordon Rippon-King either by phone 0402 051 412 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Recent articles on the VFBV website
2025 VESEP Applications Now Open and VFBV Help Pack
VFBV Board Vacancies 2025 – Invitation to apply
Emergency Services Tax Forecast Funding
Certificate IV in Leadership and Management EOI
Presumptive Legislation Update
Enjoy the VFBV monthly newsletter?
If you enjoy reading the VFBV newsletter each month, why not share it with your fellow volunteers?
Either share this page with others who may enjoy the articles or encourage other volunteers to sign up to receive their own copy via email each month here.
Want to read the VFBV 2-minute briefings from the CFA/VFBV Joint Committees?
The latest edition along with previous editions can be downloaded from the VFBV website here.
VFBV continues to educate the community on the Victorian Government's new Emergency Services Tax, that replaced the previous Fire Services Property Levy that used to only fund CFA and FRV.
While the previous levy only funded fire services, the new tax expands the number of agencies it now covers, including a number of Victorian Government Departments. All new entities added to the Tax were previously funded from consolidated revenue. Therefore, the new Emergency Services Tax constitutes a cost shift, with no corresponding reduction in taxes. It is VFBV's view that this highlights the disingenuous claims that the new tax would inject significant new money into emergency and volunteer services in order to deal with increased demand.
Under the new arrangements, the government is required to table each year's funding allocations from the new tax, via Government Gazette. The most recent gazette was published on the 30th May 2025 and demonstrate far from the claim that the additional taxes raised would boost CFA and SES budgets, they have in many cases received less funding than previous, with now 30% of the taxes raised being diverted to government entities previously funded from consolidated revenue.
The chart below illustrates the amount of funding allocated to each agency and department for the 2025/26 financial year.
This is based on the following Victorian Government figures published on 30th May 2025:
| Funding Recipient | Forecast Funding | % of TOTAL TAX COLLECTED |
| FRV | $ 761,772,628 | 49.5% |
| CFA | $ 312,004,751 | 20.3% |
| SES | $ 72,963,592 | 4.7% |
| DEECA | $ 173,614,597 | 11.3% |
| TripleZero | $ 107,537,038 | 7.0% |
| EMV | $ 10,951,805 | 0.7% |
| Control Centre | $ 174,973 | 0.0% |
| ERV | $ 12,240,349 | 0.8% |
| Emergency Alert | $ 8,871,420 | 0.6% |
| EMV Ops Comm | $ 78,100,915 | 5.1% |
| $ 1,538,232,068.00 |
As the above figures show, CFA is chronically underfunded and relies on the good will of volunteers to fundraise in their community to raise precious funds for the purchase of essential trucks and equipment that keep Victorian’s safe. We believe this new tax and the way it is being communicated will significantly hurt these efforts, and many Victorians will mistakenly believe that CFA is now fully funded. CFA volunteers want all Victorians to know that only 20 cents in every dollar raised by the Victorian Government's new Emergency Services Tax goes to CFA, and they still rely on the communities goodwill and support to fund essential equipment that protects their communities.
We do not support a new Tax on emergency services that is disingenuously being redirected to pay down government debt, and resent the government pretending that this new tax benefits volunteers.
CFA and SES are the only two agencies in the list above that involve front line emergency service volunteers funded from this new tax, with only 20% going to CFA, and 5% going to SES. The remaining 75% of the tax revenue is going to fully staffed agencies and government departments. EMV, the State Control Centre, ERV, Emergency Alert and the EMV Ops Comm program are all entities that sit within the Victorian Department of Justice and Community Safety, and are all staffed by Victorian public servants.
Calling this new tax a volunteer fund is divisive, inflammatory and significantly erodes the morale of CFA volunteer firefighters who are frequently engaging with their communities as volunteers. Calling it a volunteer fund is plain mischievous and misleading, and we believe is only being done to try and play on the community’s respect for volunteers to protect from backlash over the new tax.
As drought continues to set in across large parts of Victoria, VFBV recognises that it is having a significant impact on many CFA Volunteers, their families and communities.
There are numerous supports available to farmers, businesses, individuals and communities, but navigating these can be a time consuming and sometimes frustrating exercise with information hard to find and spread across multiple sources.
Similar to previous Fact Sheets VFBV has prepared for fire and storms – VFBV has developed a Fact Sheet to assist members navigate the various Drought Relief packages that are currently available.
It is important members understand that this information is rapidly evolving and changing and therefore our Fact Sheet includes all current links to further online resources that can be used to verify current information. We have also included phone numbers where available.
In our experience, people experiencing hardship are often overwhelmed and do not have time to search, find and navigate the various assistance that is available. Our Fact Sheets try to put all relevant resources into a single document that can either be viewed electronically – or - be printed out and handed to someone who can then assess what they need most.
Printed copies may also be requested from the VFBV office via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (03) 9886 1141.
The Fact Sheet is available for download from the bottom of this page.
The 2025 King’s Birthday Honours List has recognised more than 830 Australians with four CFA members recognised with the prestigious Australian Fire Service Medial (AFSM). VFBV congratulates these members on being recognised for their contribution to CFA and the wider Victorian community.
Sharon Merritt AFSM – has been recognised for her leadership with CFA in establishing a large animal rescue unit at Macclesfield brigade, one of only two large animal rescue units in CFA. Sharon has served as Captain of Macclesfield brigade since 2003 and is also a qualified sector commander, strike team leader, crew leader and Level 3 fire behaviour analyst and safety officer. You can read more about Sharon here.
Peter Langridge AFSM – Peter’s interest in volunteers and their health and safety has influenced and led to many significant changes in the fire and emergency management sector. As a CFA staff member, Peter led the transformation of CFA’s health monitoring and firefighter rehabilitation through the establishment of rehabilitation units across the state. Peter has also been a CFA volunteer for more than 20 years with a number of brigades throughout District 13. You can read more about Peter here.
Colin Brown AFSM - Colin has provided more than 40 years service to CFA as both as volunteer and staff member. Colin is a current member of the Warrandyte brigade and is seconded to CFA as a FRV Commander for District 13. Colin has been instrumental in advancements in township protection plans, improvements in Incident Control Centres and the creation of the highly successful Your Emergency Services (YES) program in the Yarra Ranges. You can read more about Colin here.
Tony Scicluna AFSM – Tony is a founding member of the Clonbinane fire brigade in District 12 and is also a well respected wildfire instructor with CFA. During his time with CFA, Tony has played an instrumental role in developing and rolling out the initial minimum skills training package and more recently chainsaw training and the updated General Firefighter training package. You can read more about Tony here.
VFBV also recognises and congratulates former CFA volunteer and staff member ACFO Andy Waterson AFSM from Fire Rescue Victoria and Shaun Lawlor from DEECA who have also been recognised with the Australia Fire Services Medal on the King’s Birthday.
A further 10 CFA members have also been awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for their service to their communities including Donald Paterson, Roger Sykes, Raymond Pattle, Joy Pitts, Jason Reid, Mancel Giddings, Roslyn Greenwood, Bruce Holland, Christopher May and David O’Donnell. Andrew Dwyer was also recognised as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his significant service to the community.
Nominations for AFSM's
Nominations for AFSM's are accepted at any time through CFA's Honours and Awards Committee.
The AFSM honours the distinguished service of members of fire services who make an exceptionable contribution to their communities. The AFSM recognises those whose service is above and beyond the normal zealous and faithful discharge of normal or ordinary service, either in the short or long term.
CFA volunteers are often modest and reluctant to seek out recognition for the service they have provided to their community and may not have a realistic appreciation of the impact they have had on CFA, their community, within VFBV or your Brigade or Group. They’re not in it for the honour or glory, but it’s up to each of us to ensure we take the time to say ‘thank-you’ to those people who have stepped up and help inspire us all to do better.
If you know a quiet achiever who has contributed to CFA, who goes above and beyond what could be reasonably expected of someone in a similar position, please consider nominating them for an AFSM.
The Australian Honours system has been designed to break down artificial barriers and open the Australian Honours to all parts of our society. Any member of the community can nominate any other Australian citizen for an award.
It is also critically important we encourage nominations for groups who are typically under-represented in Australian Honours like the AFSM. In particular we are encouraging a greater gender mix.
Women in particular are under-represented in AFSM’s awarded when we consider the thousands of women within the fire services across the country. And while things are improving, much more can be done.
There are so many exceptional CFA women and men deserving to be recognised, so please consider nominating someone you feel is deserving.
A common misconception is that only those members who have decades worth of service are recognised by the Honours system. The AFSM is not a long-service award, its sole criterion is distinguished service. And while prolonged service forms part of the key criteria, ‘prolonged’ is considered by the honour and awards committee’s to be taken in context as to what is considered ‘longer than usual’ and in context of what is ‘above and beyond’ the normal or ordinary service expected. Exceptional service that is sustained over a period of time can be considered as satisfying the criteria. For example, has the members contribution been in excess of expectations for a ‘normal’ member and over what duration? The Committee will consider the nature of the service or achievement within the context of a member’s service history when weighing up the various criteria.
This is especially important for women within CFA who may have their service overlooked simply because they haven’t been a Captain or Group Officer for 30+ years. While these are important leadership roles – our service is a team environment, and everyone’s contribution is valued.
Nothing should take away from the incredible achievement decade long service is, but the Honours system is designed to recognise those that make a significant contribution, and to represent the things that our communities believe to be deserving of recognition, including from those who are perhaps trailblazers for others to follow. Think of those people who have pushed the boundaries or have been first to reach and hold leadership positions that has been inspirational to those around them. For example, think of members who have overcome additional barriers, like English not being their first language and who have toiled away to learn the language and become masterful communicators designing new innovative community safety engagements to CALD communities and serving as a role model for other community members. Who are the people you look up to? Who are the people who have really made a difference in your Brigade or Group?
Distinguished service includes service that is above and beyond and can be short-term or prolonged. It is service that can be exemplified by; responsibility for an outstanding event that has proven to be of significant benefit to the fire service or community; development of a new system, procedure or technique that is unique and made a significant contribution to the fire service; or outstanding leadership in the encouragement and development of others, particularly youth within the fire services.
While it can seem daunting to nominate a potential recipient, some guiding principles that could assist in completing a nomination for an AFSM are:
- In what role(s) has the nominee excelled?
- How has the nominee demonstrated service worthy of recognition?
- How has the nominee’s contribution affected a particular field, locality, brigade, group or community at large?
- Over what period has the nominee made a major commitment?
- Has the nominee’s contribution been recognised elsewhere?
- What makes this person stand out from others?
- What specific examples can be provided to show how the nominee’s contribution(s) have been outstanding?
Nominations for awards are strictly confidential. The person being nominated should not be approached for information or advised of the confidential nomination at any stage of the process.
Additional Resources to Assist
Guide to Preparing Nominations for the Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM)
Want to discuss a potential nomination or need some more information? Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
About the Australian Fire Service Medal
Introduced in 1988, the Australian Fire Service Medal recognised distinguished service by members of Australian fire services and is awarded to both volunteer and paid members. The award recognised the distinguished service by members of a State or Territory Fire Service, a Fire Service of an agency of the Commonwealth, and the Fire Services of the External Territories of Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling Island) and Norfolk Island.
The medal is awarded twice a year as part of the Australia Day award and King's Birthday award announcements.
Criteria for the Australian Fire Service Medal
To be considered for this award it would be expected that the nominee has given service beyond the norm exemplified by:
- Prolonged service distinguished by exceptional performance in a particular area that has proved significant benefit to the fire service; and one or more of the following.
- Responsibility for and management of an outstanding/exceptional event that has proven to be of significant benefit to the fire service, a community or community safety generally.
- Development of a new system, or procedure, or technique that is unique and has made a significant contribution to the fire service, a community or community safety generally.
- Outstanding leadership in the encouragement and development of others, particularly youth, within the fire service and the fostering and furthering of the aims of the fire service to the long-term benefit of the fire service and the community.
- Demonstrated creativity in the development and implementation of innovative changes that have made a significant contribution to the fire service, fire/emergency operations, or the interests of community safety.
Long Memories
By Adam Barnett, VFBV Chief Executive Officer
Progress continues on shaping and influencing the Allan Government’s controversial new Emergency Services Tax. The decision to reduce the primary producer rate to the same level it was under the old Fire Services Property Levy will bring significant relief to thousands of farmers, acknowledging the anguish does not dissipate completely with only a one-year reprieve announced. This has taken prolonged advocacy, and there is still much to do.
VFBV’s actions to commence our public education campaign in December last year has proven effective at uplifting peoples understanding of the changes that were being sought and calling out the untruths being propagated in our name. All our actions have been designed to ensure farmers and primary producers were the focal point of our advocacy. We recognised early on the devastating impacts this tax would have on our rural communities, and designed a campaign that would give farmers, rural communities and their representative bodies time to agitate.
Ensuring the backlash was truly seen as grass roots community action was key to ensuring our actions did not suck the oxygen out of those voices who needed to be heard to explain the devasting impact this tax was going to have on those who can least afford it. Real people with real stories is what moves the needle.
And while significant progress has been achieved, there is still much to do.
To backtrack for a moment and update where I left off in last month’s newsletter, the Victorian Government rammed its controversial Emergency Services Tax through both houses of Parliament during an all-night sitting finishing at 01:27am Friday 16th May. It is very telling this legislation was required to be pushed through the dead of night.
As we had warned members in the months leading up to the vote, the Government was only able to pass its Bill with the support of six votes from the cross bench. Following secret negotiations the night before, the Greens (4), Legalise Cannabis (2), and the Animal Justice (1) parties threw their support behind the government’s new tax to give the government the votes they needed to introduce one of the most egregious, unjust and unfair taxes that Victorians have ever witnessed. I don’t use the word egregious very often, but egregious it is.
You see, the Emergency Services Tax isn’t a tax on income, nor is it a tax on the rich. It is a tax on everyday Victorians, with very little of it directed to boost the actual front line emergency services it claims to support. And while they claim it only affects landholders, there will not be a renter in the state that gets shielded from their landlord passing it on, nor any other Victorian who will pay for it each time they visit their local supermarket, shop or small business.
This isn’t what the 2009 Bushfires Royal Commission recommended. What they recommended was the Fire Services Property Levy that was introduced to Victoria in 2013. The Government’s own independent Bushfires Royal Commission Implementation Monitor, Mr Neil Comrie AO, APM confirmed to Parliament in his July 2014 Final Report that recommendation 64 was complete.
This new tax is simply a grubby cash grab to fund government services you already pay for and cleverly hidden in plain sight behind your proud and hardworking fire and emergency service personnel. And it disproportionately impacts on farmers and primary producers who use their land to generate their income. Farmers had already suffered a 59% increase to their rates last year with none of this flowing to CFA. This is the same land that is used to generate and grow our food. And while the Animal Justice party has never shown much empathy or compassion for livestock farmers, this tax equally hits vegetable, soybean and grain growers alike and the Greens, Cannabis and Animal Justice parties have allowed it to occur.
Make no mistake - this is bad government policy. Its effects will directly translate to city areas, your supermarkets and the cost of your food, hitting the most vulnerable within our communities. Even the GST when it was introduced carved out fresh food, a concept the Allan Government seems to have forgotten.
And while they claim to have done it for emergency services, not a single emergency service representative body supported or endorsed their changes. For almost six months now, we have educated the community about the impacts and illustrated how just 7 measly cents for every new dollar collected will actually flow to volunteer agencies.
The Greens have proven themselves to be amongst the most gullible political parties in Victoria – proudly announcing the so called “concessions” they negotiated to secure their four votes. They proudly claimed credit for reducing the primary producer rate from a 189% increase to 150%. You can’t make this stuff up. I certainly hope they are not sitting by their phones waiting for farmers to thank them.
It took a government backflip 15 days later that ripped up the Greens so called concession and reset the primary producer rate to the same rate used under the Fire Services Property Levy granting a one-year reprieve for farmers.
And while I think there is strength in political leaders admitting when they are wrong and reversing bad policy – they have not done this. All they have done is announce a one-year reprieve for primary producers. Rates for residents, commercial and industrial will all go up as planned. And while I welcome the announcement of a reduced rate for primary producers, doing right should never have to wait for a curtain call.
The Greens claim they secured minimum funding for FRV, CFA and SES by changing the words “up to” to “no less” – displaying a gross lack of understanding in how government budgeting processes work. Newsflash – the Minister is required each year to set the budgets of the agencies BEFORE she sets the rates of the levy. She continues to have full discretion on what level the agency budgets are set.
Simply changing two little words in the rates bill now simply removes discretion to limit the impact on taxpayers and mandates that the government must now pass on 95% of the cost of the budget she has previously set through the new tax. A mechanism Victorians will rue the next time there is a major disaster like Black Saturday or the Black Summer bushfires that requires significant government investment. It does not guarantee minimum funding for the agencies in any shape or form, and shame on anyone who pretends it does. I suspect the Treasurer had to supress her glee when the Greens floated this as a supposed concession.
As for the claim they negotiated a guarantee that every dollar collected by the new emergency services tax could only go to front line emergency services and not bureaucrats – their gullibility was again on show.
The only way to guarantee that funding could only go to front line emergency services was to remove the seven government entities that were already funded from consolidated revenue leaving just CFA, FRV and SES. The opposition put up this exact amendment and demonstrating utter hypocrisy - the Greens, Cannabis and Animal Justice parties all refused to support it, choosing instead to play politics with our emergency services.
Evidence of the government’s deceit did not take long to prove.
In the 2025/26 Victorian Budget tabled last week, Budget Paper 5 revealed the new emergency services tax will collect an extra $590M in the first year. Given this number is suspiciously close to the $600M surplus the government has announced, our fear the government would simply pocket the savings from consolidated revenue to redirect to other budget blackholes - appears well founded.
Looking through the budget papers for an extra $590M in spending on front line emergency services remains equally allusive. Volunteers call on the Greens, Cannabis and Animal Justice parties to show volunteers where the extra $590M they guaranteed for frontline services for the CFA, FRV or SES budgets is.
Budget Paper 3 (goods and services) outlines the only additional allocation to CFA for the 2025/26 year was half a million dollars for “Building more Country Fire Authority stations”.
Budget Paper 4 (capital programs) outlines $13.4M to be sent over to the CSBA to supposedly build more CFA stations (regional). I say supposedly - because the CSBA continues to be a black hole where the funds going in seem to have no relation to the actual builds coming out. A second entry is listed as “Further supporting our emergency services and volunteers (statewide)” which is allocated just $13.1M with no further description or explanation.
Most concerningly, there is not a single new CFA fleet initiative announced in this budget. You have to rely on the $50M allocated for 2025/26 to be split between CFA and SES that was announced in the 2024/25 Budget update to find any new spend on trucks for the upcoming financial year. So much for supporting “our hardworking volunteers”.
Members are reminded not to fall for multi-year announcements where they try to bundle multiple years together so they can quote a big number. They do this to confuse and obfuscate. Always come back to a single year investment figure and their arguments quickly flounder.
In summary, these amounts are a million miles, sorry – 500 million miles away from the extra $590M in additional revenue expected to be raised by the new emergency services tax. It proves what we said all along - that this new tax has nothing to do with pumping additional money into Victoria’s emergency services. In fact, if we look at the whole output summary for Emergency Management Capability for the Department of Justice in the performance statement, the budget actually shows they are expecting to spend $203.1M less than they did in 2024/25.
And here in lies the rub. People keep asking me why CFA volunteers are so angered by the changes legislated under the new Emergency Services Tax. It’s simple really.
For one, they chose to add the volunteer name to their new tax. A huge mistake.
You will notice I have refused to use its real name which is “The Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund.” Labor, Greens, Cannabis and Animal Justice all refused to support the amendment VFBV proposed, and put up by Jeff Bourman of the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers party. This amendment would have cost the budget zero, and their refusal to back it is just spiteful and has deservedly triggered anger.
Until the words “volunteer fund” is removed from the levy, I will continue to refer to it as the new Emergency Services Tax, and will be encouraging all Victorians to do the same.
The premier also continues to swipe away criticism by claiming CFA and SES volunteers will not pay the new tax at all. She forgets to tell people there is a cap on the farm rebate, and it only applies to one property or farm and some CFA farmers will continue to pay for the very services they provide.
Volunteers also recognise the biggest ruse of all. Having suffered five consecutive cuts in the form of government grants to CFA – they are sick of being taken for granted and having people pretend this new tax is boosting CFA’s budget when it isn’t. And hence our community education campaign.
But the most important reason is volunteers are not doing this for themselves or for a handout. They are part of the very communities they protect. And while the Government appears to have just woken up and realised this week that there is a drought, our members work, live and protect these communities 365 days a year and know how hard many are doing it during drought and a cost of living crisis.
And while the one-year reprieve announced by the Government is positive progress, it represents just that - a one-year reprieve.
VFBV welcomes the Liberal/ National commitment to repealing the Allan Governments Emergency Services Tax. The only commitment that buries this policy for good.
The only way to guarantee this new tax gets buried is to continue our advocacy for both sides of politics to commit to its repeal. And this is where immediate efforts need to focus.
We are asking that local council’s detail on rate notices exactly which and how much each emergency service receives from the new tax so the public can see very clearly where the money is going – or more accurately – where it is not.
The Government’s Gazette of May 30 confirms what we said all along – CFA’s funding will account for only 20% of the tax raised, and SES accounts for 5%.
Regional communities will not soon forget, and many will not forgive - the pain and anguish caused by this tax, and this government’s track record that prioritises spending on big builds in the city, while turning their backs on everyone else, including our CFA. However, it won’t be until rates notices go out over the next few months that most Victorians will wake up to the new sneaky tax for services they already pay for. And, ultimately, Victorians will not return to the ballot box until November 2026.
VFBV’s focus will continue to be on practical next steps and outcomes that will make a tangible difference. 12 months ago, in the June 2024 newsletter, VFBV commenced its education campaign on CFA underfunding - and is a good reminder that this is a marathon and not a sprint.
And while the one-year reprieve for primary producers is great, we will need to continue to advocate for a fairer tax that properly reflects risk and cost and provide certainty for these communities for the future. I want to especially thank each and every volunteer that has heeded our messages over the last few months to make contact with your local MP, display their 30 year old tankers, and raise CFA’s underfunding. For those that haven’t, there is still value in doing so.
Governments only reverse positions when they are afraid of losing a seat or from pressure from their backbench. And backbench MPs only get nervous when they hear from their local constituents. Real stories from real people do make a difference. If local MPs are not hearing from constituents, then they will think people are happy or have moved on. Remember you are trying to change their minds, so engage with the facts. Remember, every single upper house Region in the State has at least two labor MPs. Some of you will also have a Green, Cannabis or Animal Justice party member. We have produced an easy guide detailing every party that voted for the Bill and how to get in contact with your local member.
We have also produced an easy to understand guide for volunteers to help them understand how the volunteer rebate is likely to work. We can’t call it a fact sheet just yet – but we want people to be aware of what has been announced so far so you can do your own calculations. We are also working hard with CFA on internal arrangements to try and make the process as easy as possible.
Thank-you to each of the 600 volunteers who back in March provided detailed feedback. Your feedback was critical to our opposition of the new tax, and our desire to seek changes. It allowed us to progress the argument on behalf of Captains about how divisive only rebating some volunteers and not others would be. As previously reported in late April, the Government has now agreed to a broad criteria that does not discriminate between operational and non-operational roles. We must not lose sight of these improvements along the way. They have taken much work and effort.
We will remain steadfast in our commitment to pursue meaningful change while also respecting that each person is entitled to their own views. We trust implicitly that brigades and brigade Captains are best placed to make decisions on what actions may or may not impact upon their communities and respect it is not a one size fits all approach. We are prioritising community education actions, and things that are directed at those ultimately responsible for supporting the legislation in the first place. We must continue to ensure this doesn’t just become a fire brigade issue, but a broader community one.
Most importantly, we want members to retain hope. The work you do in your communities is vital. And while it does not appear to be fully valued by all for now – history shows this is an anomaly and we can continue to work to change this. Our hope is we can influence real change that rebuilds morale and critically supports our brigades to do what they do best - protecting lives and property. Never lose sight of the respect the community holds for what you do, nor our will to protect your reputation and helping the community understand what we are working towards. While we are all walking this path together, our strength comes from our connections to our local communities and the high esteem they hold for us. That esteem has been hard fought and remains top of mind in all we do. Real strength comes from principled arguments that do not betray our values. Stay strong and stay safe.
VESEP Applications Open
Applications are now open for the Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP), with applications closing 28th July, 2025.
VFBV Help Pack is available to assist brigades and groups with their applications. The Help Pack is available for download from the VFBV website. Or paper copies can be obtained by contacting the VFBV Office.
VESEP is designed for brigades to purchase essential operational equipment, vehicles and appliances and minor facility improvements.
The program offers five categories plus Statewide & DPC Local Initiatives: -
- Primary Response Appliances
- Specialist & Support Vehicles
- Operational Equipment
- Volunteer Amenities $<5K
- Minor Works $<250K
VESEP provides grants of $2 for every $1 of Brigade or Group funding to assist brigades and groups in acquiring a wide range of additional equipment in recognition of the significant contribution emergency service volunteers provide in supporting Victorian communities. Brigades and Groups can apply for a grant of up to $250,000 – an increase on the previous maximum.
Members are reminded that there are provisions within the grants program for Special Access Grants. These are available where brigades have an operational justification for their application but may not have sufficient funds for the full 1/3rd allocation. All special access grants require DCO justification.
Brigades and Groups will need to discuss your application with the District Office and all applications for minor works need to be registered with CFA Land and Building services before the 14th July.
Brigades and Groups are reminded that additions to the fire fighting fleet will be given a low priority and will need to have the approval and strong justification by the District ACFO and Regional DCO.
In its 25th year, VESEP first started out as the Community Safety Emergency Support Program in 2000 and was designed in close consultation with VFBV, with the intent of being a grants program designed by volunteers with minimal administration required from volunteers.
VFBV wishes everyone the best in their applications and will continue to assist and support you in protecting Victorian communities.
Joint Committee 2-Minute Briefings
The June edition of our popular 2-Minute briefings are now available. These briefings provide a quick snapshot of the priority issues and actions raised by VFBV delegates in recent CFA/VFBV Joint Committee’s.
These committee’s meet four times a year and involve almost 100 delegates appointed by VFBV State Council. CFA management representatives are appointed by CFA.
These committees are a critical loop in our consultative structures. CFA issues that are raised by Brigades right across each of our 21 District Council meetings are directed to Joint Committee’s for resolution. While they endeavour to work collaboratively and cooperatively on issues, they may also be required to escalate issues where resolution or common ground cannot be found - requiring executive attention.
The Joint Committee 2-Minute briefings are an important way volunteers can track the progress of issues that have been raised and where delegates are trying to work towards a solution. They are also included in the Quarterly Supplement which is printed and inserted into the March, June, September and December editions of the Fire Wise newspaper.
Trustees
VFBV is calling for volunteer nominations from those interested in being a VFBV appointed trustee to the CFA and Brigades Donations Fund. The Fund was established in 2004 to ensure brigades continued to have deductible gift recipient status following the introduction of GST and changes made to the charities law that required the associations to advocate for the retention of individual brigade charity status.
Following nominations, five new or reappointed members will be appointed by the VFBV Board to serve as VFBV Trustees on the Fund for a term of two years. All current Trustees are eligible for re-appointment. The Trust Fund committee meets quarterly, either virtually or at CFA headquarters.
Nominations close Monday 16 June 2025 and further information including how to apply can be found on the VFBV website.
Cert IV EOI
Expressions of interest are now open for members wishing to undertake a Certificate IV in Leadership and Management course. This course is an integral part of the Volunteer Leadership Development program.
The nationally accredited course equips graduates with transferable skills in essential leadership and management, enabling them to apply their knowledge across various roles, including those within CFA, the private sector, and community roles.
Whether you are an existing leader seeking further training or a formal qualification, or an aspiring leader looking to formalise your qualifications, this program offers a clear pathway to enhance your capabilities.
It is a 12 month program, predominately online and self-paced allowing flexibility. It requires a notional commitment of around 10 hours per week.
The EOI is open for those interested in participating in the August 2025 course or beyond. EOI’s are made to CFA by visiting the the Volunteer Leadership Development page on Members Online.
VFBV Board Vacancies
Vacancies on the VFBV Board will arise when the terms of four VFBV Board members expire on 1 October 2025. All are eligible for reappointment.
VFBV invites applications from any CFA volunteer who is motivated by the prospect of making a difference and believes they have the skills to contribute to VFBV at the board level. The role of a board member involves contributing to VFBV direction, policy determination and monitoring the performance and governance of the Association.
This includes actively contributing to policy discussion, consulting with CFA volunteers and contributing to the identification and management of strategic issues.
VFBV is seeking applications from gender and culturally diverse candidates in addition to a diverse range of skills and experience including applications from diverse brigade types and classifications.
Members should familiarise themselves with the VFBV Board member role statement and key selection criteria available from the VFBV website or by telephone on 9886 1141.
Applications close on 1 September 2025.
2025/26 Affiliations
Thank you for members’ strong show of support!
In 2024/25, brigades and groups showed it is more important than ever that volunteers have a strong, united and independent voice with 95% of Brigades supporting VFBV’s important work representing and advocating for all CFA volunteers.
Thank you to all affiliated brigades and groups last year in helping us stand up for volunteers.
Brigades and Group secretaries should have now received the 2025/26 renewal notices for your VFBV Affiliation and Welfare Fund subscriptions with a due date of 30th June, 2025. Thank you to all those who have already renewed!
Those who pay before 31 July will be automatically entered into a draw to win one of four extremely worthwhile prizes valued at approximately $4,000. Prizes have been donated by GAAM and we sincerely thank them for their continued support.
Quarterly Supplement
Included with the June 2025 edition of Fire Wise is the latest edition of the VFBV Quarterly Supplement.
The Quarterly Supplement contains 16 pages of relevant news, updates, information on current issues being pursued by VFBV on behalf of members. It also includes additional resources or updates that are available via our website.
An electronic copy of the Quarterly Supplement can be downloaded here.
Brigade Captains and Secretaries, Group Officers and Group Secretaries as well as VFBV delegates are requested to please take the time to read this and future editions, and table at your upcoming meetings for the benefit and knowledge of your members.
Recent articles on the VFBV website
2025 VESEP Applications Now Open and VFBV Help Pack
Nominations for CFA and Brigades Donations Fund Trustees
Certificate IV in Leadership and Management EOI
VFBV Board Vacancies 2025 – Invitation to apply
Presumptive Legislation Update
Enjoy the VFBV monthly newsletter?
If you enjoy reading the VFBV newsletter each month, why not share it with your fellow volunteers?
Either share this page with others who may enjoy the articles or encourage other volunteers to sign up to receive their own copy via email each month here.
Want to read the VFBV 2-minute briefings from the CFA/VFBV Joint Committees?
The latest edition along with previous editions can be downloaded from the VFBV website here.
Valuing Volunteers
By Adam Barnett, VFBV Chief Executive Officer
This month, the Victorian Government has the opportunity to demonstrate the value it places on its emergency service volunteers, with this year’s National Volunteer Week being celebrated across the country between 19-25 May 2025.
In last month’s edition I reported on the inequities of the proposed changes to the Fire Services Property Levy. Since then, the government’s proposed Emergency Service and Volunteer Fund amendment Bill has stalled in the upper house, with debate expected to resume on 13 May.
With a number of the crossbench parties yet to declare their voting intentions, the government’s amendments are still very much within reach, with them requiring the support of six of the eleven cross-benchers to pass its legislation.
To recap: the current Fire Services Property Levy was introduced following a recommendation from the 2009 Bushfires Royal Commission, who concluded the old insurance levy was not equitable and lacked transparency. The government of the day then went through exhaustive public and stakeholder consultation with a green paper released in 2010, and an options paper in 2011 to provide best practice consultation and an opportunity for Victorians to contribute to the fire levy’s design and identify any issues or unintended consequences. The start date was timed for two years later in order to ensure all the necessary supports and processes were in place.
Contrast this with how the current government has arrived at its proposal being rammed through Parliament as we speak.
Rather than being a recommendation from a Royal Commission, this proposal was cooked up in secret and announced via media release by the outgoing Treasurer Tim Pallas a couple of weeks before Christmas. No consultation, no research, no public discussion or enquiry and no stakeholder engagement. Zip, zero, zilch. The cherry on the cake is a planned rushed start date of July 1 this year. The fact the government has been unable to find a single stakeholder to speak in support of its new tax speaks volumes, with Councils opposed, municipal and rate payer associations opposed, the farmers federation opposed, multiple community action groups, firefighters and their representative bodies all opposed and raising concerns. VFBV has been raising these concerns and educating the community on the poor state of CFA’s budget since the December announcement just days before Christmas. With coverage in last month’s edition, as well as March 2025, February 2025 and January 2025 editions, and my OpEd published for the Weekly Times in December 2024.
Just sit with that paragraph for a minute or two. Does this sound like good governance or process to you?
If this new levy was such a boon for emergency service volunteers as they say it is – why did the government not work with each of the volunteer associations early on and build their support? One wonders if the government had retained its ministerial volunteer consultative forum a commitment made under its Emergency Management Statement, if some of the obvious problems with its legislation may have been known well before it was announced.
The Budget Update Paper issued by the previous Treasurer settled all doubts that what was being spun as supporting and sustaining emergency services was an outright deception.
Those papers show an extra $610.9M will be collected in the first year of its operation, rising to an extra $765M thereafter. Of this extra, the budget has only allocated $50M in new funding for CFA and SES. In other words, for every $1 of new extra tax collected, only 7 cents will flow to emergency service volunteer agencies.
So where does the other 93% of the new money collected go? According to the government’s own media releases, the extra money will go to funding up to 95% of 7 government departments, public servants and other entities including - EMV, Emergency Recovery Victoria, Triple Zero and Forest Fire Management Victoria and the support functions within the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action.
Given each of these are already funded through consolidated revenue, and with no commitment that government is not reducing its current contributions to agencies and departments - the government will be able to pocket this money as “savings” from its consolidated revenue, to redirect to its other budget black holes. There is certainly no other new output spending for emergency services identified in the budget papers which makes a mockery of the government’s statements about supporting emergency services.
Which takes us to the sustainability promise. We are told that this new levy will make emergency service funding sustainable. Well, that is exactly what was promised from the current Fire Services Property Levy that has been in place since 2013 and is only intended to fund CFA and FRV. Last year the government collected an extra $186M in fire levies by hiking the primary producer rate up 70%, and still reduced its grant to CFA! This government has had 10 years to demonstrate sustainable funding for CFA. CFA’s annual reports clearly show its budget allocation from government grants has actually dropped consecutively for the last five years in a row. If CFA is treated this poorly when it competes with just one other paid agency, what will happen when there are 10 entities supposedly funded from this new tax instead of just two as is the case now?
The real travesty is revealed when we look at where the extra revenue will come from.
The new tax sees the residential variable rate increase 99% and commercial rates increase by 100%. The industrial rate goes up 64% and the rate for primary producers goes up a whopping 189% which is almost a threefold increase.
To put those increases into perspective, the Governments media release of 23rd December last year heralded its “Fair Go Rates System” which capped Council rate increases to 3% as “continuing the Allan Labor Government’s drive to reduce pressures on household budgets.” Minister for Local Government Nick Staikos MP said “This rate cap will mean local councils are able to raise necessary revenue for the services they provide, without adding cost of living pressure on households.”
If 3% is a ‘fair go’, what do they call a 189% increase?
Which then gets us to the name of the new levy, which they have cynically rebadged as the “Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund” implying that volunteers are somehow separate to emergency services or a convenient scape goat for a very unpopular tax grab.
VFBV has been flooded by calls from volunteers outraged over the prospect of this new tax being called a Volunteer Fund and misusing their hard-earned good name to sell a rotten tax hike especially when less than a quarter of total revenue from the levy is actually going to fund volunteer involving agencies such as CFA and SES with the rest being shuttled off to Melbourne bureaucracies.
I am pleased to report that upper house member Jeff Bourman MP of the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party has staunchly stood up for volunteers by demanding an amendment calling for Parliament to reject the ‘Volunteer Fund’ part of the new levy name and instead simply refer to it as the “Emergency Services Levy”.
This addresses key volunteer feedback that the proposed name of the levy was misleading and would damage the morale of volunteers, impact their fundraising, and expose them to abuse and blame for an increased tax that does very little to support them or their agencies. We commend Jeff on his loyalty and support of emergency service volunteers and his impressive voting record of support to CFA volunteers over the years.
Amendments have also been proposed and tabled by the Opposition to restrict the new levy to only funding CFA, FRV and SES which would significantly reduce the rate increases, and a second amendment to ensure annual transparency of where the funds are distributed and to what agencies.
At April’s meeting of State Council, volunteers representing each CFA District across the State unanimously voted in favour of the VFBV Boards position that we do not support the governments proposed legislation in its current form, and endorsing the three amendments so far proposed. State Council have also endorsed that we formally express our concerns for the disproportionate impact the proposed levies will have on primary producers and the unfair burden being placed on regional communities.
I simply cannot understate the real concerns I hold about the mental health impact the government’s proposals and plans is having on regional and rural communities. The pain and anguish are real, and the consequences devastatingly serious. We must stand up for them.
And while we appreciate the sentiment behind the volunteer rebate, State Council have formally passed a motion of censure against the governments lack of consultation on the design and development of the proposed levy changes prior to the government forming its position, which is a statutory obligation under the Volunteer Charter.
Members are reminded that crossbench MP’s will decide how they vote after hearing from their constituents. Given the numbers, the government will require the support of the Greens to pass their legislation, so members are urged to make contact with their local Greens MP to ensure your views are known prior to debate resuming.
And with National Volunteer week commencing on the 19th May, CFA volunteers will be looking towards the government’s 2025/26 State Budget which is due to be delivered on Tuesday 20 May to assess what value the government places on emergency service volunteers.
We will look with interest for what commitments are made to address CFA’s ageing truck fleet. With 35-year-old fire trucks that belong in a museum - not on our firegrounds, and 700+ tankers that still require volunteer firefighters to ride on the outside with no protection from the toxic smoke or fumes, CFA requires $55M per year in fleet funding to just stop the age of the fleet from getting any older. An injection of almost $400M will be required to replace all current overage trucks.
Time and time again, volunteers have heard the empty words of support from MP’s touring fire affected areas after devastating fires. They are looking for material commitments that will address the inequity of CFA’s budget that sees them having to fundraise to buy their own equipment and fight fires in Australia’s oldest fire trucks.
And with the $2.5 billion dollars of economic value that Victoria’s emergency service volunteers already contribute to Victoria each year, volunteers will be watching the governments next steps closely. If the government decides not to proceed with its levy changes and withdraws the volunteer commitments already made, proof of volunteers being used as hostages to bank in hundreds of millions of dollars of additional revenue for public servants and bureaucracies will be on show for all to see.
Rather than prioritise propping up the budgets of other government departments and entities, CFA volunteers are looking for CFA and the communities they protect to be made a priority. Not just in words or media releases, but actual deeds and actions. The upcoming budget will be a litmus test of whether these words of support for CFA volunteers is real or just double speak.
Survey – Final chance
The 2024-25 annual VFBV Volunteer Survey will close shortly.
Scan the QR code below or visit the VFBV website to take part in the survey today.
Paper copies of the survey are also available by calling the VFBV office on (03) 9886 1141.
CFA Regulations
The Victorian Government’s public consultation on the draft CFA Regulations 2025 will shortly close.
The Regulatory Impact Statement and a copy of the draft regulations can be found on Engage Victoria. Feedback to the proposed changes is due 13 May 2025.
We highly encourage members to review the changes and participate in the public process. If you submit to Engage Victoria, we ask you please provide a copy to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. so we can consider your feedback as we prepare our own submission.
Visit the VFBV website for more details.
Trustees
VFBV is calling for volunteer nominations from those interested in being a VFBV appointed trustee to the CFA and Brigades Donations Fund. The Fund was established in 2004 to ensure brigades continued to have deductible gift recipient status following the introduction of GST and changes made to the charities law that required the associations to advocate for the retention of individual brigade charity status.
Following nominations, five new or reappointed members will be appointed by the VFBV Board to serve as VFBV Trustees on the Fund for a term of two years. All current Trustees are eligible for re-appointment. The Trust Fund committee meets quarterly, either virtually or at CFA headquarters.
Nominations close Monday 16 June 2025 and further information including how to apply can be found on the VFBV website.
Annual Memorial Service
VFBV, CFA and Government officials joined family, friends and loved ones of our fallen CFA firefighters to honour those volunteers who have lost their lives in the line of duty, recognising also the 11 volunteers who were lost prior to the formation of CFA.
This year’s service was the 37th occasion the memorial has been held, with the first memorial in 1987, and the only cancellation being in 2020 due to the pandemic. The service was held on Sunday 4th May at the Emergency Services Memorial in Treasury Gardens Melbourne. The annual service is observed on the closest Sunday to International Firefighters’ Day and St Florian’s Day, with St. Florian the Patron Saint of Firefighters.
Both the Governor of Victoria, Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC and the Minister for Emergency Services, the Hon Vicki Ward MP joined VFBV State President Samantha Collins, VFBV CEO Adam Barnett, CFA Chair Jo Plummer, CFA CEO Greg Leach AFSM and CFA Acting Chief Officer Garry Cook AFSM to lay wreaths and light candles at the Emergency Services Memorial in Treasury Gardens. VFBV and CFA Board members, State Councillors, sector leaders, family, friends and loved ones gathered on Sunday afternoon to pay their respects and honour the personal sacrifices and commitment given, with a bell tolled for each name of our fallen.
Attendees all proudly wore and displayed their blue and red ribbons to show their gratitude and respect to firefighters and their families everywhere. The blue and red ribbons are linked to colours symbolic of the main elements firefighters work with – red for fire and blue for water.
National Volunteer Week
19-25 May is National Volunteer Week and is Australia’s largest annual celebration of volunteering. It’s a week that provides an opportunity to highlight the important role of volunteers in communities, say thank-you and invite people not currently volunteering to give it a go.
The 2025 theme for National Volunteer Week is Connecting Communities.
VFBV passes on our deep gratitude, respect and appreciation to all CFA volunteers for the work you do in your communities 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Victorians are safer because of the work you do, and VFBV could not be more proud of you, your brigades and all those that support you in the work you do to protect lives and property.
We also acknowledge all our brothers and sisters across all of Victoria’s emergency management volunteer workforce including volunteer first responders from VicSES, St John Ambulance, Ambulance Victoria, Life Saving Victoria, Coast Guard, Salvation Army, Red Cross and the Victorian Council of Churches Emergencies Ministry – just to name a few who work together to contribute their time, skills and resources to make change in their communities as emergency management volunteers.
VFBV Board Vacancies
Vacancies on the VFBV Board will arise when the terms of four VFBV Board members expire on 1 October 2025. All are eligible for reappointment.
VFBV invites applications from any CFA volunteer who is motivated by the prospect of making a difference and believes they have the skills to contribute to VFBV at the board level. The role of a board member involves contributing to VFBV direction, policy determination and monitoring the performance and governance of the Association.
This includes actively contributing to policy discussion, consulting with CFA volunteers and contributing to the identification and management of strategic issues.
VFBV is seeking applications from gender and culturally diverse candidates in addition to a diverse range of skills and experience including applications from diverse brigade types and classifications.
Members should familiarise themselves with the VFBV Board member role statement and key selection criteria available from the VFBV website or by telephone on 9886 1141.
Applications close on 1 September 2025.
Cert IV EOI
Expressions of interest are now open for members wishing to undertake a Certificate IV in Leadership and Management course. This course is an integral part of the Volunteer Leadership Development program.
The nationally accredited course equips graduates with transferable skills in essential leadership and management, enabling them to apply their knowledge across various roles, including those within CFA, the private sector, and community roles.
Whether you are an existing leader seeking further training or a formal qualification, or an aspiring leader looking to formalise your qualifications, this program offers a clear pathway to enhance your capabilities.
It is a 12 month program, predominately online and self-paced allowing flexibility. It requires a notional commitment of around 10 hours per week.
The EOI is open for those interested in participating in the August 2025 course or beyond. EOI’s are made to CFA via Members Online.
Women in Leadership Mentoring Program
Expressions of interest are now open for the 2025/26 Women in Leadership Mentoring Program.
The Women in Leadership Mentoring program is designed to enhance the capability and confidence of women volunteer leaders in CFA and is funded by the Volunteer Leadership Development (VLD) project. It is a 12 month program targeted a women volunteers who are currently in, new to, or aspire to leadership roles.
The program contains a mix of face-to-face workshops as well as elective online learning modules to develop and grow future leaders, share knowledge, skills and experience across CFA and model different ways to build and recognise the capability of others.
Expressions of interest are currently open for both mentees (women volunteers only) and mentors (all CFA members) to be involved in the 2025/26 program and will close on 31 May 2025.
Visit the Women in Leadership Mentoring Program page on members online for more information or to lodge an EOI.
Unity
Thank you for members’ strong show of support!
In 2024/25, brigades and groups showed it is more important than ever that volunteers have a strong, united and independent voice with 95% of Brigades supporting VFBV’s important work representing and advocating for all CFA volunteers.
Thank you to all affiliated brigades and groups last year in helping us stand up for volunteers.
In the coming weeks, brigade and group secretaries will receive the 2025/26 renewal notices for your VFBV Affiliation and Welfare Fund subscriptions with a due date of 30th June, 2025.
Those who pay before 31 July will be automatically entered into a draw to win one of four extremely worthwhile prizes valued at approximately $4,000. Prizes have been donated by GAAM and we sincerely thank them for their continued support.
Fire Wise – May 2025 online only edition
The May 2025 edition of Fire Wise has been published online only, this edition and past editions are available from the Fire Wise website.
You can support Fire Wise and the role it plays as an independent voice in keeping volunteers informed by becoming a subscriber. To become a subscriber visit the Fire Wise website or contact the Managing Editor of Fire Wise, Gordon Rippon-King either by phone 0402 051 412 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Recent articles on the VFBV website
Now Open - 2024-25 VFBV Volunteer Survey
Nominations for CFA and Brigades Donations Fund Trustees
Certificate IV in Leadership and Management EOI
VFBV Board Vacancies 2025 – Invitation to apply
Presumptive Legislation Update
Enjoy the VFBV monthly newsletter?
If you enjoy reading the VFBV newsletter each month, why not share it with your fellow volunteers?
Either share this page with others who may enjoy the articles or encourage other volunteers to sign up to receive their own copy via email each month here.
Want to read the VFBV 2-minute briefings from the CFA/VFBV Joint Committees?
The latest edition along with previous editions can be downloaded from the VFBV website here.
Invitation open to all CFA volunteers to apply
Closing date for written applications is Monday 1st September 2025.
VFBV advances the interests for all Victorian fire brigade volunteers and advocates on their behalf to CFA and other key stakeholders. The VFBV Board drives policy development based on volunteer input and is involved in the management of issues of central importance to all CFA volunteers.
VFBV invites applications from any CFA volunteer who is motivated by the prospect of making a difference and believes they have the skills to contribute to the VFBV Board.
Vacancies on the VFBV Board will arise when the terms of four VFBV Board members expire on the 1st October 2024. All memebrs are eligible to re-appointed.
The term of appointment will be to 1st October 2027 (two years) and applications are invited from interested volunteers to be considered for these vacancies.
The role of a VFBV Board Member involves contributing to VFBV direction, policy determination and monitoring the performance and governance of the Association. This includes actively contributing to policy discussion, consulting with CFA volunteers and contributing to the identification and management of strategic issues.
This is an honorary position; no honorarium is paid.
VFBV is seeking applications from gender and culturally diverse candidates, in addition to a diverse range of skills and experience including from applicants from diverse brigade types and classifications.
Prior to applying you should familiarise yourself with the following documents, each available for download at the bottom of this page:
- VFBV Board Member Role Statement including key selection criteria
- VFBV Board Code of Conduct Policy and Declaration
- VFBV Conflict of Interest Policy and Declaration
How to apply
If you are motivated by the prospect of making a difference for CFA volunteers, then send your written application addressing the following:
- The key selection criteria in the role statement
- An outline of your VFBV involvement and experience or in the case of there being none – outline how you have supported or advocated for VFBV positions/campaigns or support CFA volunteer improvements
- An outline of your CFA activity
- A resume, including the names of two referees
Applications must be lodged with VFBV by Monday 1st September 2025.
Applications should be marked Private and Confidential and addressed to: VFBV, 9/24 Lakeside Drive, Burwood East VIC 3151
Or via email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or fax (03) 9886 1618.
If you have any queries, please feel free to contact the VFBV office on (03) 9886 1141.
A reminder that the Draft CFA Regulations are open for public consultation and feedback. Following this consultation, the Minister for Emergency Services will either approve them or modify them based on feedback received during the public consultation.
Members, including brigades and groups can visit Country Fire Authority Regulations 2025 & Regulatory Impact Statement | Engage Victoria to provide feedback. On this page you can access the draft new Regulations 2025, as well as the Regulatory impact statement.
You can access the old Regulations 2014 from here: Country Fire Authority Regulations 2014 | legislation.vic.gov.au
VFBV has prepared a matrix for you to help you understand where most of the main changes are that may impact upon volunteers or where volunteers may have an interest. The matrix includes the new regulation number, as well as a reference to the old one so you can cross reference. We have classified these changes as either High, Medium or low.
These categories do not necessarily mean the change is good or bad. They are simply a guide as to whether a change is significant, sensitive or may have wide ranging impacts (in the case of high), or alternatively the changes are very minor or may already reflect current practice (in the case of low).
This should assist members pinpoint their areas of interest for review.
In addition to the above, we draw members attention to the changes regarding model rules.
Both Schedule 2 (Brigade model rules) and Schedule 6 (Group model rules) have been removed, with CFA’s intent to move these to a delegation of the CFA Board to make these rules in the future. This may have significant impacts on brigades.
Upon the making of the new regulations, the CFA Board will be permitted to issue new rules that were once in the brigade and group model rules. All brigade and groups operate under the model rules, unless they have their own rules (constitutions) which have been approved by the authority. Each time the rules are changed –constitutions are voided in so far as any inconsistencies.
Some aspects of the model rules have been reincorporated into the Regulations as base regulations, while others have not been. Rules in the regulations provides clarity, consistency and a degree of stability, in that regulations are not normally reviewed outside their standard 10-year lifecycle. The risk with this change is that brigades/groups may be exposed to more frequent change. While this may make the arrangements more flexible in cases where people want change, the risk is that brigades/groups will need to adapt to changes to their key operating principles more often, and as set by the CFA Board and which they may not necessarily agree with. It just a matter of whether you prefer the 10 year periods of stability, or would prefer the opportunity for more frequent change, noting change can be both good and bad.
What are some examples of things that used to be in the old model rules that have been removed? Here are some examples: how many meetings you must have; who chairs the meeting; what the quorum is; what you must do at an annual general meeting; how special meetings are called; how the brigade management team operate; rules around your bank accounts and signatories etc.
Feedback is due to Engage Victoria by the 13 May 2025.
If you do provide feedback, it would be helpful for you to provide a copy to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or let us know your concerns so we can incorporate it into any submission that VFBV may make.
Trojan Horses
By Adam Barnett, VFBV Chief Executive Officer
The Trojan Horse is a timeless symbol of deception. A legendary military strategy born from Greek mythology dating back to 12th or 13th century BC.
The story goes that after ten years of battle, the Greeks remained frustrated at their inability to breach the walls and conquer the city of Troy. According to legend, Odysseus, the king of the island of Ithaca devised the plan to construct a giant hollow horse that was disguised as an offering to the gods, but large enough to hide 30 or 40 skilled warriors concealed inside. The Greek army then engaged with the City of Troy, feigning retreat, and leaving their prized offering behind as a subterfuge.
As the horse was a revered symbol in Troy, the unsuspecting Trojans, believing the horse to be plunder hastily left behind by the retreating Greeks, pulled the horse into their city, and celebrated their great victory. During the night, as the Trojans slept - the hidden warriors crept from the insides of the horse, dispatching the guards and opening the gates for the returning Greek army who then conquered the city, winning the Trojan war.
And henceforth why today’s generation call computer hacking software that masquerades as something less sinister - a trojan horse.
A fitting metaphor for the Government’s new Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund, a new tax to replace the existing Fire Services Property Levy that is due to be debated in the upper house tomorrow. (Thursday 2nd April).
The government media release heralded the creation of this new levy as a way to make sure “our hardworking emergency services have what they need to keep Victorian’s safe – with a massive funding boost for new trucks, equipment and technology.”
Fantastic we thought. Later that day, the Budget update papers laid out the clever deception.
As I outlined for members back in January, the original Fire Services Property Levy was due to collect $1,038 million dollars in the 2025/26 fiscal year. ($1.04 Billion)
The budget update shows us that the new levy is expected to raise an additional $610.9M. Combining those two numbers, we can calculate the new levy is expected to raise $1.65 Billion in the first year.
In the second year (2026/27), the Budget tells us the old levy would raise $1,035M and the budget update tells us they estimate the new levy will raise an additional $765M. That tells us revenue for the second year grows to $1.8 billion.
Now we calculate 95% of CFA’s budget last year would be $320M and SES would be $71M. In other words - $391M or just 22% of $1.8 billion is going to volunteer agencies. You would hardly think so by reading all the governments justifications for the new hike.
Ok, so with all this extra money, where does the budget say they intend on spending it? The media release goes on to say “…more frequent natural disasters and population growth mean Victorians are asking for more from our volunteers than ever before.”
Yep. That’s certainly true, so let’s look for this “massive funding boost”.
In Table A.8 of the Budget update paper, under output initiatives for Justice and Community Safety, we find a single line item called “Supporting our emergency services and volunteers.” And this line allocated just $50M from that extra $610.9M to “help support those hardworking volunteers”, repeated for years 26/27, 27/28 and a foot note saying it will extend to the 28/29 financial year also. So, let’s get this straight. The new levy will raise an additional $610.9M in the first year, and an extra $765M in the second year, and CFA and SES receive just $50M extra each year split between them. That’s just 8% of the extra in year 1, and just 6.5% in the second year. Hence why I refer to only 7 cents in the dollar actually going to boost CFA and SES’s budgets.
And unpacking the $50M, only $10M of that is for CFA’s annual fleet program to replace new trucks. This will buy just 20 tankers. Given CFA need $55M per year to replace 100 trucks to just stop the age of the fleet going backwards – this is far less than what CFA needs just to maintain current ages. This means, our trucks will continue to get older. How much older can we get with some trucks now more than 35 years old? If we can’t get rid of aging fire trucks with their definition of “a massive funding boost” I’m not sure how else to describe the job at hand just to bring CFA’s truck fleet up to scratch. So, moving money from consolidated revenue onto land holders to fund government agencies is more important than actually investing in a genuine plan to replace aging fire trucks over 20 years old? Apparently, we must be waiting for an ultra-ponderous-massive funding boost.
Another $15M of the $50M is for the doubling of VESEP, which requires volunteers to match $1 of their money for every $2 of government funding. So, while the government takes a bow for the extra $15M they are providing, the silence is deafening on the $7.5M that most volunteers will need to provide to get their grant in the first place doing - you guessed it – fundraising. Sausage sizzles and tin rattles. How much more difficult will fundraising be with a new tax called a “Volunteer Fund” being mailed to all property holders. VESEP also covers 4 other organisations, so CFA’s cut is closer to $10M.
That leaves $30M which has been allocated to the SES. A welcome injection for sure, and not one that we object to.
So where is the rest of the money going. Well, if the $50M represents just 8% in the first year – that leaves 92% allocated to others. Looking for any other additional spending in the budget update we find estimates in Table C.1 of concessions and exemptions attributed to the new levy. The note explains that the amounts for the 2024/25 and 2025/26 years remains unchanged from the estimate provided under the previous budget for Fire Service Levy concessions, but is adjusted by $6M for each of the 2026/27 and 2027/28 years.
To put this into perspective, $21.5M is the cost for concessions for pensioner and department of veteran affairs cardholders, $9.5M for the exemption for municipal single farm enterprises, which leaves us $6M for the volunteer exemption which is now described as an offset or rebate. In other words, you will pay your full levy, and then apply to an unknown government department, using an unknown form, of which only some volunteers deemed to be ‘active’ are eligible to apply to have your money paid back at some time in the future that is currently unknown. The $6M ‘gift’ accounts for less than half a cent, for every dollar raised.
As your representative body, and with the government having a statutory obligation under S6 of the CFA Act to consult with VFBV on all matters affecting CFA volunteers, it should be very telling that I cannot tell you how any of this will work. Municipal Councils have slammed the lack of consultation with themselves also and the Victorian Farmers Federation is also demanding further consultation occur.
As predicted, volunteer feedback to the exemption has been broad and diverse. From those that don’t want it at all, to those who object to the cap and point out they will still be paying more even with the capped exemption in place. Then there is the mine field of how we determine who is eligible, is it equitable and how it will be managed at brigade level to avoid disputes.
Which puts VFBV in a very difficult position. How can we possibly support an initiative, that while it sounds like it might be a good thing, has not been consulted on with us or CFA volunteers, and when we do not know any of the detail, and have no idea how it will all work. We simply cannot support something we have no detail on.
And for those that might like to characterise this as looking a gift horse in the mouth, if you recall the Trojan Horse metaphor at the start, the trusting Trojans were in fact warned by a Trojan priest named Laocoon, as they came upon the Trojan Horse and were debating on whether they would bring it back to the city. He exclaimed to his people that it was all a trap – and said “Trust not this horse, o countrymen, whatever it may bring! I fear the Greeks, even when they bring gifts.” The Trojans ignored his warning.
An issue as important as an exemption, and all its complex workings and sensitivities upon a volunteer ethos deserved robust and careful consideration in full consultation with emergency service volunteers. We have not been part of those discussions, and volunteers have not had an opportunity to weigh the pros and cons. Councils did not have a say and the people affected the most – the ratepayers of Victoria have certainly not had a say.
Many volunteers have contacted me in recent weeks to make it clear that if their exemption comes at the cost of ripping the plate from farmers dinner tables, or the house over their heads – then how in good conscious can that be ok. What a horrible position to put volunteers in. The notion that the only way we can support volunteers is to support a $765M tax hike and throw volunteers a few scraps along the way is deeply offensive.
And while the government points to the fact that the Fire Services Property Levy was recommended by the 2009 Bushfires Royal Commission, they forget that the then Government went through an exhaustive green paper in 2010 and options paper in 2011 with full public consultation and transparency to arrive at the current Fire Services Property levy in the first place. To think you can make fundamental changes to a levy without any consultation or due process is just incredulous.
Which leads us to the poor ratepayer, who is expected to cop a near doubling of their current levies, some in the tens of thousands of dollars. And knowing how hard a sell it would be to try and convince Victorians in a cost-of-living crisis that the government needed to fleece $610-765M in extra revenue to cover cost overruns elsewhere in the budget – they came up with the bold PR plan to call it a “Volunteer Fund” – thinking this would surely protect them from any criticism.
When I talk about the need for governments to respect emergency service volunteers, I wonder how anyone in their right mind could think that using volunteers as a human shield to sell your outrageous tax hike on the Victorian community even remotely qualifies. How could this possibly be considered as paying due respect to our hardworking volunteers? Can you remember any time that governments have called for a new staff levy to raise funds from the taxpayer for each of the enterprise bargaining deals they sign each year? How insulting would that be to employees. Well, the same holds true for volunteers.
To call their new levy an “Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund” is the most outrageous and despicable act since they labelled their reform bill after sick firefighters calling for presumptive legislation. VFBV has been publicly demanding the words ‘Volunteer Fund’ be dumped since December last year.
Astute volunteers have pointed out that the Government do not pay the levy on crown land. Previously, the argument was that because the government contributed money to each of the fire agencies through consolidated revenue and funded FFMVic, that that was how their contribution was made. But now the government wants to transfer 95% of the costs of FFMVic and support functions from the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action to landholders – they are in effect saying to Victorians – you must pay more for your own private land, but by the way – you can now pay for our crown land also.
We support funding arrangements that will provide CFA and SES with a fair, equitable and sustainable means to ensure that every community in Victoria is entitled to a strong volunteer emergency service that is fit for purpose with modern trucks and equipment. This bill isn’t it. We do not support the government trying to add 7 government bodies to the levy, and abdicating its responsibilities and pretending it is doing this all for volunteers. We certainly do not support regional and rural communities being asked to absorb an unfair proportion of the pain, asking regions to cross subsidise cost overruns of city services and bureaucracies that will drive many farmers to the brink.
If you haven’t yet contacted your local upper house MP’s, and especially cross bench MP’s such as the Greens, your time is running out. As volunteers - we put the community at the centre of everything we do. Surely our elected representatives to Parliament must do the same.
CFA 80th Anniversary
2025 marks the 80th Anniversary of CFA, an organisation quite literally - forged by fire. VFBV pays tribute to each of the amazing men and women of not only today's CFA, but all those past and future.
The Country Fire Authority was forged by fire. Created by an Act of Parliament following a Royal Commission into the devastating bushfires of 1939, the architects sought more effective control of the prevention and suppression of fires.
But from a volunteer perspective, Victorian fire brigades existed long before.
CFA’s origin story over its first year involves 185 brigades transferring from the Country Fire Brigades Board, and 776 brigades from the Bush Fire Brigades Committee. The volunteer associations predate CFA also, with our genesis grounded by the formation of the Country Fire Brigades Association in 1885, and the Bush Fire Brigades Association in 1928. These associations would become the Urban (VUFBA) and the Rural (VRFBA) associations, which merged to form the VFBV of today.
And while many volunteers were cautious of centralised organisation and the perceived loss of their brigade identity and equipment, CFA’s early successes would prove resounding. CFA benefited from the skill and local knowledge of its volunteers, and brigades benefited from the shared leadership and resources of the authority.
Over time, each has contributed to the evolution of the other, forever establishing that CFA as a united force in defence of its communities would always be greater than the sum of each of its individual parts.
The innovation and ingenuity of CFA volunteers has led CFA to be amongst the preeminent fire services in the world, the contributions of its members central to its success.
Countless innovations pursued, such as the first 800-gallon tanker followed by the 400-gallon composite small-town tanker - both born from brigade experiments, a tradition that continues to this day. So too was the introduction by volunteers of field radio’s, leading to CFA adopting mobile radio and base stations that revolutionised comms. The grassland fire spreader plotter invented by a CFA volunteer was the precursor to today’s fire prediction modelling, with even the term ‘Total Fire Ban’ adopted after volunteer insistence that the precursor term ‘Acute Fire Danger Day’ did not properly capture the imperative intended.
And while fires have significantly impacted CFA’s history, legislation and operating model, it is impossible to quantify the positive impact CFA, and its brigades have had on our communities and the people of Victoria. And while history only captures the losses, the ‘saves’ are no doubt exponentially higher still.
Thank you to all the generations that have come before, and those who will proceed us. For surely the true value of the organisation is found within its people - the brave and selfless CFA men and women who not only stand in defence of their communities when required but tirelessly educate, plan and prepare for the prevention of fire and other disasters in the first place. This rich legacy is cause for optimism that the next 80 years will be just as profound as the first.
Final chance
The 2024-25 annual VFBV Volunteer Survey will close shortly.
Scan the QR code below or visit the VFBV website to take part in the survey today.
Paper copies of the survey are also available by calling the VFBV office on (03) 9886 1141.
State Champs Wrap
Held in Mooroopna for the fifth year in a row, close to 900 competitors took part in the 2025 State Rural and Urban Championships across the two weekends of competition with more than 200 judges and officials also attending to ensure that all four state championships are run at a high standard.
Napoleons-Enfield A were the clear winners of the State Rural Junior Championship, winning the 11-13 years aggregate, 11 – 15 years aggregate and the Champion Team marking the third time that they have won the State Rural Junior Championship. Leopold A took out the Division 1 Aggregate at the State Rural Senior Championship for the first time, while Moorooduc A won the Division 2 Aggregate and Napoleons-Enfield B won the Division 3 Aggregate.
Melton A had two successful weekends with the team winning the State Urban Junior Championship and the Under 14 years aggregate and the senior team also won the State Urban Senior Championship. This is fourth year in a row that Melton A has won both the urban junior and senior championships. The Melton B team were also successful winning the Female Aggregate at the senior championship. Echuca A took out the Under 17 years aggregate at the junior championship and Swan Hill A had success winning the B Section aggregate at the senior championship.
The Torchlight Procession was also conducted on the second weekend of competition in Mooroopna with Knox Group winning this accolade with 91%. The full results from each of the State Championships are available from the VFBV website and can also be found in this month’s edition of Fire Wise.
The two weekends of Championships would not have been the success that they were without the hard work of the Mooroopna State Championships Committee who for six years now have worked tirelessly to prepare the competition venue with the support of the Greater Shepparton City Council.
Thank you also to the competitors, coaches, supporters and families of the competitors who keep the competitions going, not only at the State Championships but all the local competitions held in the lead up to the State Championships each year. VFBV also thanks the CFA staff who contribute to the success of the championships, particularly the DMOs.
VFBV’s competition committees will be meeting in the coming months to review this year’s State Championships, if any brigades, competitors or spectators have any feedback that they would like to be considered for either committee please email the VFBV office via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Call for trustees
VFBV is calling for nominations from volunteers interested in being a VFBV appointed trustee to the CFA and Brigades Donations Fund.
The Fund was established in 2004 to ensure brigades continued to have deductible gift recipient status following the introduction of the GST and changes made to the charities law that required the associations to advocate for the retention of individual brigade charity status
Following nominations, five new or reappointed members will be appointed by the VFBV Board to serve as VFBV Trustees on the Fund for a term of two years. All current Trustees are eligible for re-appointment. The Trust Fund committee meets quarterly, either virtually or at CFA headquarters.
Nominations close Monday 16th June 2025 and further information including how to apply can be found on the VFBV website.
CFA Regulations
The draft CFA Regulations 2025 have now been released for full public consultation.
The Regulatory Impact Statement and a copy of the draft regulations can be found on Engage Victoria. Feedback to the proposed changes are due 13 May 2025.
Due to the draft regulations not being available to VFBV prior to the public consultation period, it is important that members participate in the public process by flagging any items you do not feel comfortable with.
VFBV has published a change matrix of the issues we feel are likely to be of interest to volunteers and brigades/groups. While VFBV asked for consideration of improving the imbalance of power between volunteers and the Authority for both discipline and compensation matters, it appears that improvements in these areas is fairly limited. We also hold concerns with the brigade and group model rules being removed from the regulations and converted to a CFA Board instrument.
We highly encourage members to review the changes, and participate in the public process. If you submit to Engage Victoria, we ask you please provide a copy to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. so we can consider your feedback as we prepare our own submission.
Visit Country Fire Authority Regulations 2025 & Regulatory Impact Statement for more information.
CFA Annual Firefighter Memorial Service
The 2025 CFA Annual Memorial Service which pays tribute to firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty will be held on Sunday 4 May 2025. Commencing at 2pm, the service will be held at the Victorian Emergency Services Memorial in Treasury Gardens, East Melbourne.
Please RSVP to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by 21 April 2025 and include any accessibility requirements.
Cert IV EOI
Expressions of interest are now open for members wishing to undertake a Certificate IV in Leadership and Management course. This course is an integral part of the Volunteer Leadership Development program.
The nationally accredited course equips graduates with transferable skills in essential leadership and management, enabling them to apply their knowledge across various roles, including those within CFA, the private sector, and community roles.
Whether you are an existing leader seeking further training or a formal qualification, or an aspiring leader looking to formalise your qualifications, this program offers a clear pathway to enhance your capabilities.
It is a 12 month program, predominately online and self-paced allowing flexibility. It requires a notional commitment of around 10 hours per week.
The EOI is open for those interested in participating in the August 2025 course or beyond. EOI’s are made to CFA here.
Fire Wise – April 2025 online only edition
The April 2025 edition of Fire Wise has been published online only, this edition and past editions are available from the Fire Wise website.
You can support Fire Wise and the role it plays as an independent voice in keeping volunteers informed by becoming a subscriber. To become a subscriber visit the Fire Wise website or contact the Managing Editor of Fire Wise, Gordon Rippon-King either by phone 0402 051 412 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Recent articles on the VFBV website
Now Open - 2024-25 VFBV Volunteer Survey
Nominations for CFA and Brigades Donations Fund Trustees
2025 State Urban Junior Championship Results
2025 State Rural Senior Championship Results
2025 State Rural Junior Championship Results
2025 State Urban Senior Championship Results
Certificate IV in Leadership and Management EOI
Presumptive Legislation Update
Enjoy the VFBV monthly newsletter?
If you enjoy reading the VFBV newsletter each month, why not share it with your fellow volunteers?
Either share this page with others who may enjoy the articles or encourage other volunteers to sign up to receive their own copy via email each month here.
Want to read the VFBV 2-minute briefings from the CFA/VFBV Joint Committees?
The latest edition along with previous editions can be downloaded from the VFBV website here.
Expressions of interest are now open for members wishing to undertake a Certificate IV in Leadership and Management course. This course is an integral part of the Volunteer Leadership Development program.
The nationally accredited course equips graduates with transferable skills in essential leadership and management, enabling them to apply their knowledge across various roles, including those within CFA, the private sector, and community roles.
Whether you are an existing leader seeking further training or a formal qualification, or an aspiring leader looking to formalise your qualifications, this program offers a clear pathway to enhance your capabilities.
It is a 12 month program, predominately online and self-paced allowing flexibility. It requires a notional commitment of around 10 hours per week.
The EOI is open for those interested in participating in the August 2025 course or beyond. EOI’s are made to CFA by visiting the following page: https://www.members.cfa.vic.gov.au/resources/organisational-culture/organisational-development/volunteer-leadership-development-vld-program/certificate-iv-in-leadership-and-management
More...
Final results for the 2025 State Urban Senior Championships held in Mooroopna on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 March 2025 are now available.
The full results are available for download at the bottom of this page.
Photo's of presentations are being progressively uploaded to VFBV's dedicated Championships Facebook Page. Team times for each event are available for download at the bottom of this page also.
Grand Aggregate, A Section Aggregate, A Section Wet Aggregate and A Section Appliance Aggregate winner - Melton A
B Section Aggregate, B Section Wet Aggregate, B Section Appliance Aggregate - Swan Hill A
Dry Aggregate Winner - Tatura
Female Aggregate Winner - Melton B
Champion Competitor - Bailey Rhodes, Melton A
SATURDAY 29TH MARCH
Event 1 – Ladder Race, One Competitor
|
1st |
OSBORNE PARK ORANGE (1) (Aiden Couzens) |
6.64 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
MELTON B (1) (Ryan Stone) |
6.93 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
MARYVALE (1) (Matt Royal) |
7.05 |
seconds |
|
4th |
PATTERSON RIVER (2) (Mark Mullins) |
7.06 |
seconds |
|
5th |
HOPPERS CROSSING (1) (Brenton Lawrence) |
7.07 |
seconds |
Event 2 – B Section Hose & Ladder, Five Competitors
|
1st |
WARRACKNABEAL |
22.64 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
SWAN HILL A |
24.05 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
CRESWICK |
24.20 |
seconds |
|
4th |
KYNETON |
24.80 |
seconds |
|
5th |
EUROA |
25.22 |
seconds |
Event 3 – A Section Y Coupling, Four Competitors
|
1st |
OSBORNE PARK ORANGE |
8.45 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
NARRE WARREN A |
8.54 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
HOPPERS CROSSING |
8.67 |
seconds |
|
4th |
MELTON A |
8.72 |
seconds |
|
5th |
DANDENONG |
8.87 |
seconds |
Event 4 – A Section Hose & Ladder, Eight Competitors
|
1st |
MELTON A |
22.22 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
PATTERSON RIVER |
22.48 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
OSBORNE PARK ORANGE |
22.58 |
seconds |
|
4th |
HARVEY |
24.46 |
seconds |
|
5th |
MORWELL |
25.10 |
seconds |
Event 5 – B Section Y Coupling, Four Competitors
|
1st |
KNOX GROUP |
9.00 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
BENDIGO |
9.02 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
KYNETON |
9.16 |
seconds |
|
4th |
WARRACKNABEAL |
9.23 |
seconds |
|
5th |
MELTON B |
9.30 |
seconds |
Event 6 – Female Y Coupling, Two Competitors
|
1st |
TATURA (1) (Hayley Rennie, Sam Rennie) |
13.04 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
NARRE WARREN A/B (1) (Samantha McKean, Sarah Miles) |
13.12 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
MELTON B (1) (Leah Steele, Lorelei Geysing) |
13.70 |
seconds |
|
4th |
HORSHAM/WARRACKNABEAL (1) (Isabella Orszulak, Claire Longstaff) |
14.79 |
seconds |
|
5th |
KERANG (1) (Kendall Ash, Zalie Ash) |
15.26 |
seconds |
Event 7 – A Section Y Coupling & Ladder Eights
|
1st |
WENDOUREE |
35.16 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
OSBORNE PARK ORANGE |
35.37 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
OSBORNE PARK GREEN |
37.44 |
seconds |
|
4th |
ECHUCA |
38.10 |
seconds |
|
5th |
HOPPERS CROSSING |
40.31 |
seconds |
Event 8 – B Section Hose, Hydrant & Pumper, Four Competitors
|
1st |
WARRNAMBOOL |
13.93 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
SWAN HILL A |
15.57 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
HORSHAM |
15.69 |
seconds |
|
4th |
MELTON B |
15.71 |
seconds |
|
5th |
MAFFRA |
16.35 |
seconds |
Event 9 – B Section Wet Hose Striking One Disc Twice with Removable Back Cap, Four Competitors
|
1st |
WARRACKNABEAL RECORD |
15.90 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
SWAN HILL A |
16.42 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
ECHUCA B |
18.27 |
seconds |
|
4th |
MAFFRA |
19.41 |
seconds |
|
5th |
KERANG |
19.70 |
seconds |
Event 10 – A Section Hose, Hydrant & Pumper, Four Competitors
|
1st |
MELTON A |
12.38 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
HARVEY |
13.25 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
OSBORNE PARK ORANGE |
13.42 |
seconds |
|
4th |
DANDENONG |
13.88 |
seconds |
|
5th |
ECHUCA A |
13.90 |
seconds |
Event 11 – A Section Hose & Reel Sixes
|
1st |
WENDOUREE |
28.82 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
PATTERSON RIVER |
29.44 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
OSBORNE PARK ORANGE |
29.62 |
seconds |
|
4th |
MELTON A |
29.88 |
seconds |
|
5th |
HARVEY |
30.68 |
seconds |
Event 12 – B Section Marshall, One Competitor
|
1st |
SWAN HILL A (1) (Nelson Ibbs) |
25.74 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
MAFFRA (1) (Brent McKenzie) |
26.49 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
WERRIBEE (2) (Micheal Trifilo) |
26.83 |
seconds |
|
4th |
HORSHAM (2) (Arjai Johnston) |
27.44 |
seconds |
|
5th |
WARRACKNABEAL (1) (Kynan Jonasson) |
28.51 |
seconds |
Chief Officer’s Challenge Event
|
1st |
MELTON A (Bayllie Arandt, Poppy Arandt, Leah Steele & Jayson Cassar) |
17.55 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
CHIEF’S CHARGERS (CO Jason Heffernan, DCO Brett Boatman, DCO Adrian Gutsche & ACFO Tony Owen) |
21.83 |
seconds |
Event 13 – B Section Wet Hose Striking One Disc Twice, Four Competitors
|
1st |
CRESWICK |
16.39 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
WERRIBEE |
17.98 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
ECHUCA B |
18.40 |
seconds |
|
4th |
MAFFRA |
18.53 |
seconds |
|
5th |
MELTON B |
18.73 |
seconds |
Event 14 – A Section Marshall, One Competitor
|
1st |
TATURA (2) (Matthew Rennie) |
23.94 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
WENDOUREE (1) (Damon Sutton) |
25.18 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
MARYVALE (1) (Matt Royal) |
25.28 |
seconds |
|
4th |
TATURA (1) (Jeremy Withall) |
25.38 |
seconds |
|
5th |
MELTON A (2) (Bailey Rhodes) |
25.67 |
seconds |
Event 15 – Female Marshall, One Competitor
|
1st |
TATURA (1) (Hayley Rennie) RECORD |
28.25 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
MELTON B (1) (Lorelei Geysing) |
29.22 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
NARRE WARREN A/B (1) (Samantha McKean) |
30.88 |
seconds |
|
4th |
MELTON B (2) (Leah Steele) |
31.87 |
seconds |
|
5th |
HORSHAM/WARRACKNABEAL (Claire Longstaff) |
32.01 |
seconds |
Event 16 – B Section Pumper & Ladder, Five Competitors
|
1st |
SWAN HILL A |
17.43 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
MELTON B |
17.61 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
WARRACKNABEAL |
18.09 |
seconds |
|
4th |
KYNETON |
18.18 |
seconds |
|
5th |
MAFFRA |
18.19 |
seconds |
Event 17 – A Section Hydrant & Tanker, Four Competitors
|
1st |
PATTERSON RIVER RECORD |
11.30 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
MELTON A |
12.15 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
OSBORNE PARK ORANGE |
12.39 |
seconds |
|
4th |
DANDENONG |
13.27 |
seconds |
|
5th |
WENDOUREE |
13.86 |
seconds |
SUNDAY 30TH MARCH
Event 18 – Hydrant Race, One Competitor
|
1st |
TATURA (1) (Matthew Rennie) |
11.83 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
MELTON A (1) (Jack Geysing) |
12.13 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
MARYVALE (1) (Matt Royal) |
12.32 |
seconds |
|
4th |
OSBORNE PARK ORANGE (1) (Aiden Couzens) |
12.43 |
seconds |
|
5th |
WENDOUREE (2) (Thomas Moloney) |
12.64 |
seconds |
Event 19 – Female Hydrant Race, One Competitor
|
1st |
NARRE WARREN A/B (1) (Samantha McKean) |
14.72 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
MELTON B (1) (Lorelei Geysing) |
14.78 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
TATURA (1) (Hayley Rennie) |
15.20 |
seconds |
|
4th |
OSBORNE PARK GREEN (1) (Nikki Jackson) |
15.22 |
seconds |
|
5th |
HORSHAM/WARRACKNABEAL (1) (Isabella Orszulak) |
15.35 |
seconds |
Event 20 – A Section Pumper & Ladder, Five Competitors
|
1st |
MELTON A |
15.69 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
NARRE WARREN A |
15.72 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
OSBORNE PARK ORANGE |
15.97 |
seconds |
|
4th |
DANDENONG |
16.58 |
seconds |
|
5th |
PATTERSON RIVER |
16.59 |
seconds |
Event 21 – B Section Hydrant & Tanker, Four Competitors
|
1st |
SWAN HILL A RECORD |
12.13 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
MAFFRA |
14.83 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
ECHUCA B |
14.95 |
seconds |
|
4th |
WARRACKNABEAL |
15.09 |
seconds |
|
5th |
PAKENHAM |
15.20 |
seconds |
Event 22 – Female Marshall, Two Competitors
|
1st |
MELTON B (1) (Leah Steele, Lorelei Geysing) |
18.81 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
KNOX GROUP (1) (Jessica Walker, Rebecca Keats) |
19.57 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
HORSHAM/WARRACKNABEAL (1) (Isabella Orszulak, Claire Longstaff) |
20.47 |
seconds |
|
4th |
ECHUCA B (2) (Kaylea Blake, Hannah Norman) |
21.11 |
seconds |
|
5th |
KYNETON (1) (Steph Sharp, Jess Cockerill-Wright) |
21.60 |
seconds |
Event 23 – B Section Hose & Reel Sixes
|
1st |
WARRACKNABEAL |
33.92 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
EUROA |
34.03 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
CRESWICK |
36.26 |
seconds |
|
4th |
KYNETON |
36.61 |
seconds |
|
5th |
WERRIBEE |
41.93 |
seconds |
Event 24 – A Section Marshall, Two Competitors
|
1st |
TATURA (2) (Matthew Rennie, Jeremy Withall) |
15.87 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
MELTON A (2) (Bailey Rhodes, Devante Johns) |
16.18 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
OSBORNE PARK GREEN (1) (Jaxon Winsall, Tom Evans) |
16.26 |
seconds |
|
4th |
MORWELL (2) |
16.41 |
seconds |
|
5th |
OSBORNE PARK ORANGE (2) (Jordan Winsall, Matthew Bolger) |
16.52 |
seconds |
Event 25 – A Section Hose & Reel Eights
|
1st |
PATTERSON RIVER |
28.98 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
OSBORNE PARK ORANGE |
29.74 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
HOPPERS CROSSING |
31.23 |
seconds |
|
4th |
ECHUCA A |
31.36 |
seconds |
|
5th |
OSBORNE PARK GREEN |
32.54 |
seconds |
Event 26 – B Section Marshall, Two Competitors
|
1st |
MELTON B (2) (Ryan Stone, Justin Keyes) |
16.57 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
SWAN HILL A (1) (Nelson Ibbs, Adam Saunders) |
16.67 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
WERRIBEE (2) (Michael Triffilo, Aiden Triffilo) |
17.06 |
seconds |
|
4th |
MAFFRA (1) (Brent McKenzie, Charlie Giles) |
18.30 |
seconds |
|
5th |
KNOX GROUP (2) (Matthew De Filippis, Rebecca Keats) |
18.76 |
seconds |
Event 27 – Champion Fours
|
1st |
MELTON A |
18.16 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
WENDOUREE |
18.98 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
MORWELL |
19.24 |
seconds |
|
4th |
KNOX GROUP |
19.31 |
seconds |
|
5th |
NARRE WARREN A |
19.37 |
seconds |
CHALLENGE EVENTS
Vic/WA Challenge, Hose & Reel Eights
|
1st |
VICTORIA (James Arandt, Jackson Bull, Aiden Couzens, Devante Johns, Kenneth Mitchell, Thomas Moloney, Leonard Lawrence, Nick Shannahan, Jordan Winsall) |
29.68 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
WESTERN AUSTRALIA (Chris Ainsworth, Tate Anderson, David Burgoyne, Mitch Golding, Ethan Harding, Brodie Hewer, Greg Hunter, Nathan Loton, Kyden Toop) |
32.41 |
seconds |
East v West, Female Wet Hose Striking One Disc Twice, Four Competitors
|
1st |
EAST (Lorelei Geysing, Ruth King, Samantha McKean, Hayley Rennie) |
18.81 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
WEST (Kendall Ash, Nikki Jackson, Isabella Orszulak, Amity Scott) |
19.42 |
seconds |
East v West, Hose & Reel Eights
|
1st |
EAST (Miller Anderson, Ben Geysing, Andrew Gourley, Adrian Jones, Cameron Juhasz, Daniel Moylan, Tim Mullins, Jordan Simpson, Jeremy Withall) |
30.10 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
WEST (Nic Hanna, Blake Hindle, Kynan Jonasson, Florian Metivier, Cody Polack, Adam Saunders, George Smith, David Swain, Mason Wright) |
32.63 |
seconds |
TORCHLIGHT PROCESSION
|
1st |
KNOX GROUP |
91.00% |
|
|
2nd |
DIAMOND CREEK |
88.00% |
|
|
3rd |
HOPPERS CROSSING |
87.00% |
|
FINAL AGGREGATE RESULTS
Dry Aggregate
|
1st |
TATURA |
26 |
points |
|
2nd |
OSBORNE PARK ORANGE |
19 |
points |
|
3rd |
MELTON A |
13 |
points |
Wet Aggregate
|
1st |
MELTON A |
78 |
points |
|
2nd |
SWAN HILL A |
62 |
points |
|
3rd |
WARRACKNABEAL |
58 |
points |
Female Aggregate
|
1st |
MELTON B |
23 |
points |
|
2nd |
TATURA |
19 |
points |
|
3rd |
NARRE WARREN A/B |
16 |
points |
SECTION AGGREGATES
‘A’ SECTION
|
1st |
MELTON A |
91 |
points |
|
2nd |
OSBORNE PARK ORANGE |
69 |
points |
|
3rd |
PATTERSON RIVER |
56 |
points |
‘A’ SECTION WET AGGREGATE
|
1st |
MELTON A |
78 |
points |
|
2nd |
PATTERSON RIVER |
54 |
points |
|
3rd |
OSBORNE PARK ORANGE |
50 |
points |
‘B’ SECTION
|
1st |
SWAN HILL A |
75 |
points |
|
2nd |
WARRACKNABEAL |
61 |
points |
|
3rd |
MELTON B |
30 |
points |
‘B’ SECTION WET AGGREGATE
|
1st |
SWAN HILL A |
62 |
points |
|
2nd |
WARRACKNABEAL |
58 |
points |
|
3rd |
CRESWICK |
28 |
points |
APPLIANCE AGGREGATES
‘A’ SECTION
|
1st |
MELTON A |
42 |
points |
|
=2nd |
OSBORNE PARK ORANGE & PATTERSON RIVER |
18 |
points |
B’ SECTION
|
1st |
SWAN HILL A |
42 |
points |
|
2nd |
WARRNAMBOOL |
16 |
points |
|
=3rd |
MAFFRA & MELTON |
14 |
points |
2025 CHAMPION COMPETITOR
|
1st |
Bailey Rhodes – Melton A |
27 |
points |
|
2nd |
Aiden Couzens – Osborne Park Orange |
21 |
points |
|
3rd |
Jack Geysing – Melton A |
18 |
points |
2025 CHAMPION BRIGADE
The team members of Melton A are:
- James Arandt
- Ben Geysing
- Jack Geysing
- Ashley Goudie
- Denzel Johns
- Devante Johns
- Brodie Leitch
- Christian Magnaye
- Bailey Rhodes
- Cooper Rhodes
- And competitor and coach – Anthony Rhodes
FINAL AGGREGATE BOARD
Final results for the 2025 State Rural Junior Championship held in Mooroopna on Sunday 30 March 2025 are now available.
The results are available for download at the bottom of this page.
Presentation photos and times for all events will be posted on VFBV's dedicated Championships Facebook Page.
Results for all events are available to view here.
Champion Team - Napoleons-Enfield A
11 - 13 Years Aggregate
11 - 15 Years Aggregate
Event 1A: Low Down Pump & Ladder – 11 – 13 years
|
1st |
Napoleons-Enfield A |
19.79 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
Miners Rest A |
20.85 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
Maiden Gully A |
21.06 |
seconds |
|
4th |
Ascot & District A |
21.11 |
seconds |
|
5th |
Bethanga/Talgarno A |
21.96 |
seconds |
Event 1B: Low Down Pump & Ladder – 11 – 15 years
|
1st |
Napoleons-Enfield A |
17.03 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
Beazley’s Bridge B |
18.14 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
Miners Rest A |
18.41 |
seconds |
|
4th |
Ascot & District B |
19.02 |
seconds |
|
5th |
Eldorado A |
19.11 |
seconds |
Chief Officer’s Challenge Event, Low Down Pump & Ladder
|
1st |
11-15 years, Napoleons-Enfield A: Clancy Bedggood, Riley Quinnely, Darcy Kuchel & Charlotte Roberts |
17.24 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
11-13 years, Napoleons-Enfield A: Lachie Roberts, Josie Roberts, Xavier Fammartino & Dominic Fammartino |
17.81 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
Chief Chargers: Chief Officer Jason Heffernan, DCO Brett Boatman, DCO Adrian Gutsche, ACFO Tony Owen, DCO Trevor Owen |
19.94 |
seconds |
Event 2A: Wet Hose & Ladder – 11 – 13 years
|
1st |
Napoleons-Enfield A |
22.21 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
Ascot & District A |
22.80 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
Maiden Gully A |
24.14 |
seconds |
|
4th |
Bethanga/Talgarno A |
25.13 |
seconds |
|
5th |
Miners Rest A |
25.97 |
seconds |
Event 2B: Wet Hose & Ladder – 11 – 15 years
|
1st |
Napoleons-Enfield A |
18.13 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
Beazley’s Bridge B |
20.08 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
Springhurst A |
20.52 |
seconds |
|
4th |
Ascot & District B |
20.82 |
seconds |
|
5th |
Ascot & District A |
21.03 |
seconds |
Event 4A: Tanker – Priming, Pumping & Ladder – 11 -13 years
|
1st |
Napoleons-Enfield A |
24.86 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
Gapsted A |
31.12 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
Bethanga/Talgarno A |
32.40 |
seconds |
|
4th |
Maiden Gully A |
32.75 |
seconds |
|
5th |
Miners Rest A |
33.29 |
seconds |
Event 4B: Tanker – Priming, Pumping & Ladder – 11 – 15 years
|
1st |
Miners Rest B |
24.59 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
Ascot & District A |
24.70 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
Beazley’s Bridge B |
24.85 |
seconds |
|
4th |
Dunolly A |
26.00 |
seconds |
|
5th |
Ascot & District B |
26.04 |
seconds |
Event 5A: Hydrant & Tanker – 11 – 13 years
|
1st |
Ascot & District A |
27.51 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
Miners Rest A |
30.47 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
Gapsted A |
32.18 |
seconds |
|
4th |
Napoleons-Enfield A |
28.06 |
seconds |
|
5th |
Bethanga/Talgarno A |
34.66 |
seconds |
Event 5B: Hydrant & Tanker – 11 – 15 years
|
1st |
Napoleons-Enfield A |
23.00 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
Beazley’s Bridge A |
25.56 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
Ascot & District A |
25.84 |
seconds |
|
4th |
Eldorado A |
26.04 |
seconds |
|
5th |
Ascot & District B |
27.35 |
seconds |
Event 6A: Tanker – Drawing Water from Tank – 11 – 13 years
|
1st |
Miners Rest A |
23.08 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
Ascot & District A |
25.31 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
Napoleons-Enfield A |
28.02 |
seconds |
|
4th |
Gapsted A |
28.25 |
seconds |
|
5th |
Bethanga/Talgarno A |
33.03 |
seconds |
Event 6B: Tanker – Drawing Water from Tank – 11 – 15 years
|
1st |
Napoleons-Enfield A |
18.24 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
Beazley’s Bridge B |
19.92 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
Miners Rest B |
20.04 |
seconds |
|
4th |
Beazley’s Bridge A |
21.41 |
seconds |
|
5th |
Springhurst A |
22.13 |
seconds |
Junior Firefighter Sprint Winners
11 – 13 years – Female
|
1st |
Josephine Roberts – Napoleons-Enfield |
|
2nd |
Emma Bourchier – Strathmerton |
|
3rd |
Mabel Small – Beazley’s Bridge |
11 – 13 years – Male
|
1st |
George Milligan – Gapsted |
|
2nd |
Dominic Fammartino – Napoleons-Enfield |
|
3rd |
Shune Cole – Bethanga/Talgarno |
11 – 15 years – Female
|
1st |
Tilly McErlain – Ascot & District |
|
2nd |
Charlotte Roberts – Napoleons-Enfield |
|
3rd |
Tianna Shay – Maiden Gully |
11 – 15 years – Male
|
1st |
Tom Griffiths – Gapsted |
|
2nd |
Dacey Kuchel – Napoleons-Enfield |
|
3rd |
Rory Gibb – Eldorado |
FINAL AGGREGATE RESULTS
11 – 13 YEARS AGGREGATE
|
1st |
Napoleons-Enfield A |
58 |
points |
|
2nd |
Ascot & District A (on a countback) |
40 |
points |
|
3rd |
Miners Rest A |
40 |
points |
11 – 15 YEARS AGGREGATE
|
1st |
Napoleons-Enfield A |
64 |
points |
|
2nd |
Beazley’s Bridge B |
36 |
points |
|
3rd |
Miners Rest B |
22 |
points |
CHAMPION TEAM
|
1st |
Napoleons-Enfield A |
122 |
points |
|
2nd |
Ascot & District A |
58 |
points |
|
3rd |
Miners Rest A |
46 |
points |
VFBV State President Encouragement Award winner: Pearcedale Brigade
Stan Ross Conduct Trophy winner: Eldorado Brigade
FINAL AGGREGATE
Final results for the 2025 State Rural Senior Championship held in Mooroopna on Saturday 29 March 2025 are now available.
The results are available for download at the bottom of this page.
Presentation photos and times for all events will be posted on VFBV's dedicated Championships Facebook Page.
Results for all events are available to view here.
Division 1 Aggregate Winner - Leopold A
Division 2 Aggregate Winner - Moorooduc A
Division 3 Aggregate Winner - Napoleons-Enfield B
Outstanding Female Team - Mannerim C
Alan King AFSM Memorial Conduct Trophy - Elaine brigade
Event 1: Low Down Pump & Ladder
|
Division 1 |
|
|
|
|
1st |
Eldorado A |
15.08 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
Dunrobin/Nangeela A |
15.47 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
Leopold A |
16.37 |
seconds |
|
4th |
Springhurst A |
16.83 |
seconds |
|
5th |
Beazley’s Bridge A |
17.25 |
seconds |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Division 2 |
|
|
|
|
1st |
Moorooduc A |
16.44 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
Napoleons-Enfield A |
16.59 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
Mannerim A |
17.79 |
seconds |
|
4th |
Eldorado D |
18.64 |
seconds |
|
5th |
Eltham A |
18.90 |
seconds |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Division 3 |
|
|
|
|
1st |
Springhurst B |
18.11 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
Napoleons-Enfield B |
21.42 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
Truganina C |
21.65 |
seconds |
|
4th |
Miners Rest A |
21.91 |
seconds |
|
5th |
Gapsted A |
22.36 |
seconds |
Event 2: Wet Hose & Ladder
|
Division 1 |
|
|
|
|
1st |
Springhurst A |
14.47 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
Leopold A |
14.59 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
Dunrobin/Nangeela A |
15.40 |
seconds |
|
4th |
Beazley’s Bridge A |
16.00 |
seconds |
|
5th |
Truganina A |
17.25 |
seconds |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Division 2 |
|
|
|
|
1st |
Dunrobin/Nangeela C |
15.64 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
Moorooduc A |
15.82 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
Mannerim A |
16.24 |
seconds |
|
4th |
Eltham A |
16.93 |
seconds |
|
5th |
Eldorado D |
18.40 |
seconds |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Division 3 |
|
|
|
|
1st |
Napoleons/Enfield B |
16.43 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
Miners Rest A |
17.36 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
Leopold C |
19.38 |
seconds |
|
4th |
Springhurst C |
20.63 |
seconds |
|
5th |
Gapsted A |
20.93 |
seconds |
Event 3: Tanker Hose Reel & Ladder
|
Division 1 |
|
|
|
|
1st |
Leopold A |
40.75 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
Hurstbridge A |
41.67 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
Beazley’s Bridge A |
41.81 |
seconds |
|
4th |
Dunrobin/Nangeela A |
42.40 |
seconds |
|
5th |
Truganina A |
44.43 |
seconds |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Division 2 |
|
|
|
|
1st |
Moorooduc A |
40.51 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
Moorooduc B |
46.08 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
Eldorado B |
47.82 |
seconds |
|
4th |
Dunrobin/Nangeela C |
48.48 |
seconds |
|
5th |
Napoleons-Enfield A |
49.08 |
seconds |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Division 3 |
|
|
|
|
1st |
Napoleons-Enfield B |
46.94 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
Miners Rest A |
47.41 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
Springhurst B |
48.72 |
seconds |
|
4th |
Leopold C |
50.42 |
seconds |
|
5th |
South East Region Staff A |
51.32 |
seconds |
Event 4: Tanker – Priming, Pumping & Ladder
|
Division 1 |
|
|
|
|
1st |
Eldorado A |
21.39 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
Leopold A |
21.49 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
Hurstbridge A |
22.34 |
seconds |
|
4th |
Mandurang A |
23.20 |
seconds |
|
5th |
Springhurst A |
23.20 |
seconds |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Division 2 |
|
|
|
|
1st |
Dunrobin/Nangeela C |
23.27 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
Leopold B |
24.42 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
Mannerim A |
24.55 |
seconds |
|
4th |
Eldorado D |
25.18 |
seconds |
|
5th |
Truganina B |
26.82 |
seconds |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Division 3 |
|
|
|
|
1st |
Miners Rest A |
22.86 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
Napoleons-Enfield B |
24.41 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
Leopold C |
26.94 |
seconds |
|
4th |
Pearcedale B |
27.03 |
seconds |
|
5th |
Gapsted A |
32.40 |
seconds |
Event 5: Hydrant & Tanker
|
Division 1 |
|
|
|
|
1st |
Springhurst A |
17.52 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
Eldorado A |
17.63 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
Hurstbridge A |
17.85 |
seconds |
|
4th |
Leopold A |
18.12 |
seconds |
|
5th |
Beazley’s Bridge A |
18.35 |
seconds |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Division 2 |
|
|
|
|
1st |
Moorooduc A |
18.19 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
Dunrobin/Nangeela C |
20.09 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
Mannerim A |
21.45 |
seconds |
|
4th |
Moorooduc B |
23.43 |
seconds |
|
5th |
Eldorado D |
24.00 |
seconds |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Division 3 |
|
|
|
|
1st |
Napoleons-Enfield B |
19.47 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
Truganina C |
24.29 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
Springhurst B |
24.31 |
seconds |
|
4th |
Pearcedale B |
25.64 |
seconds |
|
5th |
Springhurst C |
25.68 |
seconds |
Event 6: Tanker – Drawing Water from Tank
|
Division 1 |
|
|
|
|
1st |
Hurstbridge A |
15.17 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
Leopold A |
15.79 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
Truganina A |
18.23 |
seconds |
|
4th |
Hurstbridge B |
18.86 |
seconds |
|
5th |
Strathmerton A |
20.08 |
seconds |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Division 2 |
|
|
|
|
1st |
Dunrobin/Nangeela C |
16.89 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
Moorooduc A |
16.97 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
Mannerim A |
17.94 |
seconds |
|
4th |
Leopold B |
19.10 |
seconds |
|
5th |
Eldorado B |
19.49 |
seconds |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Division 3 |
|
|
|
|
1st |
Napoleons-Enfield B |
18.34 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
Springhurst B |
19.16 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
Gapsted A |
19.83 |
seconds |
|
4th |
Elaine B |
21.35 |
seconds |
|
5th |
Springhurst C |
21.79 |
seconds |
Firefighter Sprint Winners
Female competitors
|
1st |
Caitlin Muecke, Dunrobin-Nangeela |
|
2nd |
Lara Small, Beazley’s Bridge |
|
3rd |
Trinity Williams, Chiltern |
Male competitors
|
1st |
Jacob Wiffen, Mannerim |
|
2nd |
Ethan Kuchel, Napoleons-Enfield |
|
3rd |
Yee Zhao, Pearcedale |
FINAL AGGREGATE RESULTS
DIVISION 1
|
1st |
Leopold A |
56 |
points |
|
2nd |
Eldorado A |
42 |
points |
|
=3rd |
Hurstbridge A & Springhurst A |
38 |
points |
DIVISION 2
|
1st |
Moorooduc A |
68 |
points |
|
2nd |
Dunrobin-Nangeela C |
62 |
points |
|
3rd |
Mannerim A |
30 |
points |
DIVISION 3
|
1st |
Napoleons-Enfield B |
84 |
points |
|
2nd |
Miners Rest A |
40 |
points |
|
3rd |
Springhurst B |
38 |
points |
Alan King AFSM Memorial Conduct Trophy: Elaine Brigade
Outstanding Female Team Trophy: Mannerim C
Aggregate Boards
Division 1
Division 2
Division 3
Final results for the 2025 State Urban Junior Championships held in Mooroopna on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 March 2025 are now available.
The results are listed below and are also available for download at the bottom of this page.
Presentation photos and placegetters for all events have been posted on VFBV's dedicated Championships Facebook Page. Team times for each event are available for download at the bottom of this page.
SATURDAY 22nd MARCH
Event 1 – Hydrant Race, One Competitor – Under 14 years
|
1st |
MELTON A (1) (Ryder Millington) |
9.88 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
GROVEDALE (1) (Koby Moores) |
10.89 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
MAFFRA (1) (Tyler Schoemaekers) |
10.99 |
seconds |
|
4th |
ECHUCA A (1) (Archie Collier) |
11.32 |
seconds |
|
5th |
MELTON A (2) (Ricky Cassar) |
11.45 |
seconds |
Event 2 – Y Coupling, Two Competitors – Under 17 years
|
1st |
GROVEDALE (Matt Evans, Tom Warita) |
12.89 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
ECHUCA A (Mason Whinfield, Malik Day) |
13.84 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
WARRACKNABEAL A (Eliza Williamson, Ben Wright) |
14.35 |
seconds |
|
4th |
EYNESBURY A (Isabella Greene, Sophia Lima) |
14.76 |
seconds |
|
5th |
HOPPERS CROSSING (Christopher Dawson, Liam Parker) |
15.11 |
seconds |
Event 3 – Wet Hose Striking Second Disc, Four Competitors – Under 14 years
|
1st |
GROVEDALE (Hamish Jenner, Bridie Meadows, Xavier Wilson, Koby Moores) |
18.18 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
ECHUCA A (Archie Collier, Xavier Moylan, Connor Drinkwell, Amber Schmedje) |
18.56 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
MELTON A (Ryder Millington, Ronan Steele, Ricky Cassar, Braxton Holden) |
18.91 |
seconds |
|
4th |
SWAN HILL A (Sasha Hayes, Xavier Morpeth, Orla Scott, Natalia Barnes) |
20.18 |
seconds |
|
5th |
KYNETON (Bonnie Tracey, Patrick Sutton, John Pearce, Patrick Sanders) |
20.77 |
seconds |
Event 4 – Y Coupling, Four Competitors – Under 17 years
|
1st |
ECHUCA B (Rick Ronnan, Matt Brien, Sophie Amos, Curtis Foran) |
9.33 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
ECHUCA A (Mason Whinfield, Malik Day, Kaylea Blake, Gratton Harrison) |
9.43 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
MELTON B (Tyler Goudie, Lilly Leitch, Justin Keyes, Kevin Clarke) |
10.58 |
seconds |
|
4th |
GISBORNE (Asher Kroon, Zac Dickson, Lincoln Moyes, Nic Dickson) |
10.88 |
seconds |
|
5th |
EUROA A (Charlee Rieusset, Macey Kubeil, Molly Van Der Schoor, Will Mann) |
11.08 |
seconds |
Event 5 – Wet Hose Striking 1st & 2nd Discs, Four Competitors – Under 17 years
|
1st |
MELTON A (Bayllie Arandt, Jayson Cassar, Leah Steele, Poppy Arandt) |
17.90 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
ECHUCA A (Mason Whinfield, Malik Day, Kaylea Blake, Gratton Harrison) |
19.69 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
GROVEDALE (Matt Evans, Tom Warita, Tom Defrancesco, Xavier Wilson) |
21.78 |
seconds |
|
4th |
SWAN HILL A (Ellah Haywood, Madi Roberts, Catherine Morpeth, Isaiah Blaire) |
22.25 |
seconds |
|
5th |
EUROA A (Macey Kubeil, Molly Van Der Schoor, Kobee Mann, Will Mann) |
22.66 |
seconds |
Event 6 – Marshall, One Competitor – Under 14 years
|
1st |
MELTON A (Ryder Millington) |
27.85 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
SALE (Conner Knights) |
33.19 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
GROVEDALE (Kody Moores) |
34.79 |
seconds |
|
4th |
SWAN HILL A (Xavier Morpeth) |
35.08 |
seconds |
|
5th |
MAFFRA (Tyler Schoemaekers) |
36.19 |
seconds |
Event 7 – Wet Hose Striking 1st & 2nd Discs, Four Competitors – Under 14 years
|
1st |
GROVEDALE (Hamish Jenner, Bridie Meadows, Xavier Wilson, Koby Moores) |
22.28 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
WARRACKNABEAL A (Zander Jonasson, Riley Bish, Michael Wright, Tori Wright) |
22.86 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
SWAN HILL A (Sasha Hayes, Xavier Morpeth, Orla Scott, Natalia Barnes) |
23.35 |
seconds |
|
4th |
MELTON B (Mason Pasco, Jack Ryan, Yandel Cruz, Royce Cruz) |
23.93 |
seconds |
|
5th |
KYNETON (Bonnie Tracey, Patrick Sutton, John Pearce, Patrick Sanders) |
24.11 |
seconds |
Event 8 – Marshall, One Competitor – Under 17 years
|
1st |
ECHUCA A (Mason Whinfield) |
28.57 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
MELTON A (Bayllie Arandt) |
32.10 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
SALE (Izac Thexton) |
32.91 |
seconds |
|
4th |
KERANG (Harley Ash) |
33.63 |
seconds |
|
5th |
WARRACKNABEAL A (Ben Wright) |
33.65 |
seconds |
Event 9 – Wet Hose, Two Competitors – Under 17 years
|
1st |
MELTON B (Tyler Goudie, Justin Keyes) |
11.39 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
ECHUCA A (Mason Whinfield, Gratton Harrison) |
11.86 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
SALE (Daniel King, Izac Thexton) |
12.47 |
seconds |
|
4th |
MELTON A (Bayllie Arandt, Jayson Cassar) |
12.67 |
seconds |
|
5th |
WARRACKNABEAL A (Ben Wright, Ruby Crisp) |
12.80 |
seconds |
Event 10 – Marshall, Two Competitors – Under 14 years
|
1st |
MELTON A (Ryder Millington, Ronan Steele) |
17.72 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
ECHUCA A (Archie Collier, Xavier Moylan) |
20.42 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
GROVEDALE (Hamish Jenner, Koby Moores) |
22.10 |
seconds |
|
4th |
WARRACKNABEAL A (Zander Jonasson, Riley Bish) |
22.22 |
seconds |
|
5th |
SWAN HILL A (Orla Scott, Natalia Barnes) |
22.78 |
seconds |
Event 11 – Wet Hose, Two Competitors – Under 14 years
|
1st |
MAFFRA (Tyler Schoemaekers, Kye Bence) |
12.24 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
KYNETON (Patrick Sutton, John Pearce) Run off determined 2nd place |
12.45 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
EUROA A (Will Mann, Macey Kubeil) |
12.45 |
seconds |
|
4th |
GROVEDALE (Bridie Meadows, Koby Moores) |
13.34 |
seconds |
|
5th |
WARRACKNABEAL A (Zander Jonasson, Michael Wright) |
13.86 |
seconds |
SUNDAY 23RD MARCH
Event 12 – Hydrant Race, One Competitor – Under 17 years
|
1st |
SALE (2) (Daniel King) |
13.01 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
ECHUCA A (2) (Malik Day) |
13.47 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
MELTON A (2) (Bailey Arandt) |
13.80 |
seconds |
|
4th |
ECHUCA A (1) (Mason Whinfield) |
13.88 |
seconds |
|
5th |
KANGAROO FLAT (1) (Chris Mason) |
14.41 |
seconds |
Event 13 – Y Coupling, Two Competitors – Under 14 years
|
1st |
MELTON A (Ryder Millington, Ricky Cassar) |
12.78 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
ECHUCA A (Archie Collier, Xavier Moylan) |
13.09 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
KYNETON (Bonnie Tracey, John Pearce) |
14.91 |
seconds |
|
4th |
EYNESBURY A (Mackenzie Brynes, Willow Haskell) |
15.63 |
seconds |
|
5th |
SALE (Conner Knights, Thomas De Noble) |
15.80 |
seconds |
Event 14 – Wet Hose Striking Second Disc, Four Competitors – Under 17 years
|
1st |
MELTON A (Bayllie Arandt, Jayson Cassar, Leah Steele, Poppy Arandt) Run off determined 1st place |
17.77 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
ECHUCA A (Mason Whinfield, Malik Day, Kaylea Blake, Gratton Harrison) |
17.77 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
GROVEDALE (Matt Evans, Tom Warita, Tom Defrancesco, Xavier Wilson) |
18.31 |
seconds |
|
4th |
MELTON B (Tyler Goudie, Lilly Leitch, Justin Keyes, Kevin Clarke) |
19.31 |
seconds |
|
5th |
SALE (Daniel King, Izac Thexton, Jessica Monck, Ruth King) |
19.51 |
seconds |
Event 15 – Y Coupling, Four Competitors – Under 14 years
|
1st |
SWAN HILL A (Sasha Hayes, Xavier Morpeth, Orla Scott, Natalia Barnes) |
10.85 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
MAFFRA (Tyler Schoemaekers, Jacinta Schoemaekers, Kye Bence, Tristan Scott) |
11.05 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
ECHUCA A (Archie Collier, Xavier Moylan, Connor Drinkwell, Amber Schmedje) |
11.07 |
seconds |
|
4th |
WARRACKNABEAL A (Zander Jonasson, Riley Bish, Michael Wright, Tori Wright) |
11.31 |
seconds |
|
5th |
SWAN HILL B (Alexander Morpeth, Angus Sutton, Matilda Walmsley, Naz Kepa) |
11.43 |
seconds |
Event 16 – Wet Hose Striking One Disc Twice, Four Competitors – Under 14 years
|
1st |
ECHUCA A (Archie Collier, Xavier Moylan, Connor Drinkwell, Amber Schmedje) |
16.81 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
MELTON A (Ryder Millington, Ronan Steele, Ricky Cassar, Braxton Holden) |
17.31 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
KYNETON (Bonnie Tracey, Patrick Sutton, John Pearce, Patrick Sanders) |
17.62 |
seconds |
|
4th |
GROVEDALE (Hamish Jenner, Bridie Meadows, Xavier Wilson, Koby Moores) |
17.81 |
seconds |
|
5th |
MELTON B (Mason Pasco, Jack Ryan, Yandel Cruz, Royce Cruz) |
18.39 |
seconds |
Event 17 – Marshall, Two Competitors – Under 17 years
|
1st |
KERANG (Harley Ash, Hunter Ash) |
18.06 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
MELTON A (Bayllie Arandt, Leah Steele) |
19.04 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
GROVEDALE (Matt Evans, Tom Defrancesco) |
20.08 |
seconds |
|
4th |
MELTON B (Tyler Goudie, Justin Keyes) |
21.09 |
seconds |
|
5th |
WARRACKNABEAL A (Ben Wright, Maddison Bentley) |
21.78 |
seconds |
Event 18 – Wet Hose Striking One Disc Twice, Four Competitors – Under 17 years
|
1st |
MELTON A (Bayllie Arandt, Jayson Cassar, Leah Steele, Poppy Arandt) |
15.22 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
ECHUCA A (Mason Whinfield, Malik Day, Kaylea Blake, Gratton Harrison) |
16.33 |
seconds |
|
3rd |
KERANG (Harley Ash, Hunter Ash, Aleeyah Wilkinson, borrowed Swan Hill competitor) |
17.60 |
seconds |
|
4th |
MELTON B (Tyler Goudie, Lily Leitch, Justin Keyes, Kevin Clarke) |
17.94 |
seconds |
|
5th |
SWAN HILL A (Ellah Haywood, Madi Roberts, Isaiah Blaire) |
18.37 |
seconds |
CHALLENGE EVENT
East v West, Wet Hose Striking One Disc Twice, Four Competitors – Under 14 years
|
1st |
WEST (Koby Moores – Grovedale, Xavier Morpeth – Swan Hill, Bonnie Tracey – Kyneton, Victoria Wright – Warracknabeal) |
16.56 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
EAST (Ricky Cassar – Melton, Macey Kubeil – Euroa, Brody Philpot – Eynesbury, Victoria Wright – Warracknabeal) |
18.34 |
seconds |
East v West, Wet Hose Striking One Disc Twice, Four Competitors – Under 17 years
|
1st |
EAST (Kaylea Blake – Echuca, Daniel King – Sale, Brenton Radford – Rowville, Leah Steele – Melton) |
16.51 |
seconds |
|
2nd |
WEST (Noah Carver – Werribee, Harley Ash – Kerang, Matt Evans – Grovedale, Ben Wright – Warracknabeal) |
17.38 |
seconds |
FINAL AGGREGATE RESULTS
DRY AGGREGATE
|
1st |
MELTON A |
46 |
points |
|
2nd |
ECHUCA A |
40 |
points |
|
3rd |
GROVEDALE |
22 |
points |
WET AGGREGATE
|
1st |
MELTON A |
34 |
points |
|
2nd |
GROVEDALE |
31 |
points |
|
3rd |
ECHUCA A |
28 |
points |
UNDER 14 YEARS AGGREGATE
|
1st |
MELTON A |
41 |
points |
|
2nd |
GROVEDALE |
31 |
points |
|
3rd |
ECHUCA A |
28 |
points |
UNDER 17 YEARS AGGREGATE
|
1st |
ECHUCA A |
45 |
points |
|
2nd |
MELTON A |
39 |
points |
|
=3rd |
GROVEDALE & MELTON B |
17 |
points |
GRAND AGGREGATE
|
1st |
MELTON A |
80 |
points |
|
2nd |
ECHUCA A |
73 |
points |
|
3rd |
GROVEDALE |
48 |
points |
2025 CHAMPION TEAM
The team members of MELTON A are:
- Bayllie Arandt
- Poppy Arandt
- Jayson Cassar
- Ricky Cassar
- Braxton Holden
- Ryder Millington
- Leah Steele
- Ronan Steele
And Coaches: Bailey Rhodes, Cooper Rhodes and Denzel Johns
FINAL AGGREGATE BOARD
UNDER 14 YEARS, WET AGGREGATE, DRY AGGREGATE AND GRAND AGGREGATE WINNER - MELTON A
UNDER 17 YEARS AGGREGATE WINNER - ECHUCA A
