NYAH Nyah West Fire Brigade has had a tremendous response to its open day, as the brigade signed up four new members and had a few other inquiries.
Captain Phill Maher was exceptionally pleased as to how the morning went, as plenty of people popped in and learnt about their local fire station.
“It has exceeded our expectations,” he said.
“The kids are loving it, they are getting involved in everything.”
There was a colouring competition where Deegan Nicholls won a Captain Koala stuffed toy and drink bottle.
Captain Koala also dropped by for a while to entertain everybody.
Neighbouring brigades from Woorinen South, Beverford and Swan Hill also were in attendance and people were able to have a go using one of the truck hoses to knock down some wooden flames.
Despite picking up a few new recruits, the station is still in need of more members.
“We are down here every Sunday from about 10am for a couple of hours,” Mr Maher said.
“If anybody wants to know more information please come and see us.”
After the open day, the CFA Mid Murray Group hosted a lunch to celebrate International Women’s Day.
Organised by Denise Jordan and Alison Craig, the lunch was to celebrate the all of the remarkable efforts and achievements women have made to the CFA over they years in different roles.
The afternoon included guest speakers as well as a live-stream panel discussion about the role of women in emergency services and an exploration of challenges women experience in a traditionally male-dominated sector.
The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is ‘breaking the bias’ and for a long time firefighting has been seen as a responsibility that has been primarily taken care of by men.
However, the CFA has been on the front foot in encouraging and training women into leadership positions as women begin to take on a more equal role in the CFA.
Women represent one in four volunteers in brigades in the Mid Murray Group, which is outstanding when compared to other regions across Victoria.
