Available for download at the bottom of this page is information for teams competing in the 2026 State Championships in March at Stawell.
Below is highlighted information for each championship and the torchlight procession.
State Urban Junior Championship – 21 and 22 March 2026
Opening Ceremony: will commence at 0900 hours on Saturday with roll call from 0845, the order of brigades for the opening march is available in the information for competing teams. Please note that the start time for both days of the Urban Junior Championship is 0900 hours.
BBQ lunch: for competitors will be provided on Saturday, vouchers for the lunch will be available for collection on Saturday morning – please listen out for announcements.
Wristbands for competitors: where brigades have entered more than one team, the competitors will be required to wear a wrist band indicating which team they are part of. Coaches for brigades entering more than one team should attend the VFBV office to obtain wristbands for their competitors.
Testing of hydrants: Brigade hydrants to be used in the Hydrant Races must be weighed, checked and sealed on Friday afternoon between 1500 and 1700 hours, or on Saturday or Sunday mornings between 0800 and 0830 hours. Please note that access to the track grounds prior to 3pm is not permitted.
Appointment of judges and officials: a list of appointed judges and officials can be found in the information for competing brigades.
CFA Youth Forum: CFA will again be holding their Youth Forum on Saturday 21 March from 3:30pm in the Footy Club Pavillion at North Park. For further information please reach out the CFA's Youth Pathways Team via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Rule Book: a copy of the current rule book is available for download from the VFBV website.
State Rural Championships – Junior & Senior – 28 and 29 March 2026
Saturday 29 March – Senior Championship
Roll call for brigades will be at 0745 hours on the main oval adjacent to the competition track ahead of the opening ceremony commencing at 0820 hours.
The line up order for brigades can be found in the information for competing brigades available for download at the bottom of this page.
Number of competitors in each event: Teams are reminded that all events now have 4 competitors.
Make up roster: Brigades should familiarise themselves with the make up roster also included in the information for competing brigades and ensure that a member of their brigade is available to assist in rostered events.
Rule Book: a copy of the current rule book is available for download from the VFBV website.
Sunday 30 March – Junior Championship
The opening ceremony will commence at 0830 hours at the competition track.
A BBQ lunch will also be provided for all junior competitors on the Sunday and lunch vouchers will be available for competitors at the competition track.
Make up roster: Brigades should familiarise themselves with the make up roster also included in the information for competing brigades and ensure that a member of their brigade is available to assist in rostered events.
Rule Book: a copy of the current rule book is available for download from the VFBV website.
State Urban Senior Championship – 28 and 29 March 2026
Opening Ceremony: Roll call for brigades will be at 0745 hours on the oval adjacent to the competition tracks ahead of the opening ceremony commencing at 0820 hours. The information for competing brigades includes a copy of the order of brigades including brigades in the echelon movement.
Wristbands for competitors: Where brigades have more than one team entered, the competitors will be required to wear a wrist band indicating which team they are part of. Coaches for brigades entering more than one team should attend the VFBV office to obtain wrist bands for their competitors. If required replacement wrist bands can be issued on Sunday.
Testing of hydrants and equipment: Brigade hydrants to be used in the Hydrant Race must be weighed, checked and sealed on Friday afternoon between 1500 hours and 1700 hours, or on Saturday and Sunday mornings between 0730 hours and 0800 hours. Please note that access to the track grounds prior to 3pm is not permitted.
Make up roster: Brigades should familiarise themselves with the make up roster also included in the information for competing brigades and ensure that a member of their brigade is available to assist in rostered events.
Appointment of judges and officials: a list of appointed judges and officials can be found in the information for competing brigades.
Rule Book: a copy of the current rule book is available for download from the VFBV website.
Torchlight Procession – 29 March 2025
The Torchlight Procession will take place on Saturday 28th March commencing at 2030 hours, with all Brigades to assemble no later than 2000 hours.
Brigades will be assembled in Groups and report for Roll Call in their respective groupings in the carpark on the corner of Church Street and Allen Street, Stawell at 2000 hours on Saturday. Each group of brigades will be headed by a CFA vehicle.
Any brigade participating in the Torchlight Procession will be supplied with LED torches by CFA to be returned at the completion of the Torchlight. These will be collected by CFA personnel located in the Senior Citizens Centre Hall, located on Victoria Street.
Brigades should refer to CFA Circular distributed prior to the Championships, for details of the Groups and line up order of Brigades.
LED Torches and Name plates for the Torchlight Procession: Brigades are to collect their Name Plate and LED Torches for the Torchlight Procession from 2pm on Saturday afternoon at the competition track. These will be available for brigades to collect from the hose repair personnel situated on the Newington Road side of the Urban Main Track after 1400 hours on Saturday. CFA personnel will be present at the assembly point of the Torchlight to collect bags and excess torches and torches will be collected at the end of the Torchlight Procession.
CFA Information for Competing Brigades
Information distributed by CFA for brigades who are competing in the State Urban Senior Championship and the State Rural Championships will be distributed to brigades closer to the Championship. Once distributed it will be available for download at the bottom of this page.
Included in this information will be the final line up of brigades for the Echelon Movement and the groups for the Torchlight Procession.
Travel Claim Reimbursement
Travel reimbursement: for competing brigades and judges and officials from non-competing brigades must be submitted to CFA by midnight Sunday 3rd May 2026. Travel claims can be completed online here https://tinyurl.com/2026-travel-claim or by completing and returning the form attached to this email. Any claims submitted after Sunday 3rd May will not be accepted by CFA, so please do not delay in returning your claim form.
Bus Travel: A reminder to brigades if they are wishing to claim for bus travel to the State Championship this must be approved by CFA prior to the Championship, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to seek approval.
Questions or queries
Please contact the VFBV office via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (03) 9886 1141.
