Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

April 2025 graduating group, June 2026

Our most recent group to graduate Cert IV in Leadership and Management showcased the projects they worked on for their brigades over the 12-month course.

The projects covered a wide range of interesting and useful topics including: a skateboard fundraiser; emergency services expo; brigade youth engagement Session; fire brigade community day; Get Fire Ready Open Day; GFF group training in Bass Coast; structural ensemble cleaning project; community engagement event; improving storage, The Tin Shed; business fire safety; VESEP grant application; Mt Hotham Property Advice Visit 2025; and a brigade T-shirt project.

The projects with community events not only engaged and educated the community, but also raised awareness of CFA as a significant part of the community and also assisted with recruitment of new members for those brigades.

The knowledge and skills learned over the period of the course were immediately, effectively and successfully applied to their brigade activities.

One of the most common reflections after completing the course for their brigades was about improvements in communication and how to have a conversation. Improvements in communication then strengthened relationships and collaboration within the brigade, which in turn had a positive flow-on effect to other brigade activities.

We are about to welcome our August 2026 group onto the course.  

Applications for 2027 can be made via an EOI found on the Certificate IV page on Members Online. For more information on the Certificate IV course and FAQ, use this link.

To go directly to the EOI please use this link.

Submitted by	Val Conduit

Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

Succession Planning Workshops return for a second round.

Following strong interest and positive feedback received from the first round of workshops, North West Region Volunteer Sustainability Team (VST) is pleased to deliver a a second series of Succession Planning Framework Workshops, starting from 23 July.

These practical and interactive workshops run for about an hour and are designed to help brigades identify, develop and support future leaders, ensuring a strong and sustainable future for volunteer brigades across the region.

Workshop schedule:

Clarifying Roles and Responsibilities: Thursday 23 July 7.00pm

Reviewing Your Membership: Wednesday 5 August 7.00pm

Retaining and Recruiting Volunteers: Thursday 27 August 7.00pm

Identifying and Addressing Skill Gaps: Wednesday 9 September 7.00pm

Preparing for Elections: Thursday 24 September 7.00pm 

Whether your brigade is preparing for upcoming leadership transitions or simply looking to strengthen its long-term capability, these workshops provide valuable tools, resources and guidance to support succession planning at the local level.

Use the QR codes in the image above to secure your place today and take an important step towards building a strong and sustainable future for your brigade. 

Submitted by	Lisa Clinch

Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

Paul and Linda are volunteers with Bonnie Doon Fire Brigade

CFA volunteer firefighter Paul Mason is alive and well today thanks to the generosity of blood donors and a perfect stem cell match.

After being diagnosed with a rare form of bone marrow cancer called myelofibrosis in 2021, the Bonnie Doon Fire Brigade 1^st Lieutenant received more than 50 blood transfusions and a stem cell donation as part of his treatment. 

Now Paul and his wife Linda are calling on others to roll up their sleeves and help save lives.

This comes as CFA members have under one month remaining to donate blood for this year’s Emergency Services Blood Drive. 

“When Paul was diagnosed with myelofibrosis, we were told the only treatment was a stem cell transplant but because of the risks associated, it was a last resort.

“Last year he started to get very sick and was told if he didn’t have the stem cell transplant, he would have less than two years to live”. 

After a long application process, Paul was approved to have the transplant, and a perfect match was found in New South Wales. He received the transplant in August last year, and after a few setbacks, it was successful. 

In January this year, fires impacted various parts of the state including Bonnie Doon. Despite having just learnt his cancer had returned and he would be needing monthly chemotherapy treatments, Paul didn’t let this stop him helping out at his brigade. 

Though unable to jump on the truck and fight fires himself, Paul headed to the station each day and made sure his crews and strike teams had what they needed and were looked after.

“I’m not one for just watching. I’m good at the coal face, and I could see they were struggling and needed help,” Paul said.

Linda, also a volunteer with Bonnie Doon, said his willingness to help was a testament to his community spirit. 

“I think if his specialist had said ‘you can go out there and fight the fires’, he would have been on the truck,” Linda said. 

“I couldn’t believe how much he was giving despite being unwell. He’s got such a good constitution and a strong positive mental attitude and that, plus of course the stem cell donation, is what got him through.” 

Mere months later, Paul is now officially in remission, and along with Linda is urging anyone who can donate blood and, if able, register as a stem cell donor. 

“I think people often forget that donating blood is something they can do. Blood donations, and in particular stem cell donations, saved my life. I used to donate when I was younger, but without the constant reminder to donate people can forget,” Paul said. 

“Registering as a stem cell donor when you’re donating blood is simple to do and could save someone’s life like mine. 

“I can’t express my complete gratitude and thanks for the professionalism, passion and empathy that the nurses, doctors, and specialists displayed while I was in their care.  I’ve been extremely lucky and I just can’t thank the staff at the Alfred Hospital enough”

Linda echoes Paul’s gratitude.

“Blood and stem cell donors are absolute lifesavers. Their generosity has made an incredible difference to our family and given Paul a second chance at life, and we are extremely grateful.”

To donate blood, or for more information on stem cell donation, visit lifeblood.com.au. 

Submitted by	CFA Media

Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

Captain Andrew Ludeman, DCO North West Region Trevor Weston, ex-Captain Francis Ludeman. Credit: Uniform Photography

Wyndham Vale Fire Brigade has celebrated the opening of its new fire station over the weekend in their 15th year of servicing their local community.

Eager brigade members gathered at the new site on Armstrong Road in Manor Lakes on Saturday 4 July, alongside CFA senior leaders Chief Officer Jason Heffernan AFSM, CEO Greg Leach AFSM and Deputy Chief Officer North West Region Trevor Weston. 

A brigade parade, led by ex-Captain Francis Ludeman officially opened proceedings, and later Wyndham Vale’s 1st Lieutenant Max Blaik closed out the event unveiling the naming of the Wyndham Vale tanker after Francis to recognise his service.

The new site replaces the brigade’s former station on Ballan Road and provides volunteers with a modern, fit-for-purpose base to support their emergency response now and into the future.

Wyndham Vale Fire Brigade Captain Andrew Ludeman said after operating from a two-bay station for the past 15 years, the new station will significantly benefit the brigade and community.

“For us, having the facilities to train new and current members with areas to clean up when we return from a callout is a great opportunity and a welcome boost for brigade morale,” Andrew said.

The new facility includes three motor bays, a four-bay external shed, a communications area and multipurpose room. A four-desk office space has also been included, along with dedicated spaces for equipment maintenance, training and operational readiness.

The space will support 59 members, including 35 operational firefighters who have attended major incidents such as the 2009 and 2019-20 bushfires as well as local motor vehicle incidents and fires.

“It gives us the ability to grow, which is probably the biggest thing for our brigade, as we’re only a couple of calls short of 600 callouts over the past financial year,” Andrew said.

“We’ve got 10 new recruits doing our General Firefighter course at the moment which is really promising, and now that we have more space we can start to get more people in and get them out on the truck.”

CFA Deputy Chief Officer North West Region Trevor Weston said the new station will help support the brigade’s growing operational needs as the local community continues to expand.

“We have seen considerable residential growth in Wyndham Vale and this new station will help ensure our volunteers have the facilities they need to continue protecting local residents for years to come,” Trevor said.

“This site is a welcome change for the brigade and will be a terrific asset to allow them to continue doing what they do best – protecting lives and property.

“The new station marks an exciting new chapter for the brigade.”

CFA District 14 Acting Assistant Chief Fire Officer Sean Kennedy joined on site to mark the occasion, alongside local community members and neighbouring brigade members.

Later in the night, the brigade marked their 15-year anniversary with current and former brigade members at a dinner held at the new station.

Submitted by	CFA media

Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

Helping others has been a lifelong commitment for Horsham Fire Brigade member Ray Carman.

For nearly 50 years, Horsham Fire Brigade member Ray Carman has dedicated his time to protecting his community, first by fighting fires and later by helping prevent them.

Submitted by	CFA News

Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

The Dandenong Ranges is home to Kalorama-Mt Dandenong brigade 2nd Lieutenant Peter Henwood and his fascinating and vast collection of fire-related items from tiny badges to a 19th century fire engine.

From inside his personal museum, Peter explained the significance of some of his pieces.

“I began collecting fire brigade items about 33 years ago,” Peter said. “I have thousands of items but I’ve never counted them. And I’ve made many friendships through collecting.

“The first item I bought was a street fire alarm because I remembered them as a kid. If there was a fire, people could break the glass to alert the fire brigade.”

One of Peter’s oldest and rarest items is a Shand Mason manual fire engine built in 1885.

“My Shand Mason was imported by an antique dealer years ago. It came from the railways in India. It’s similar to the small manual pumps that were used by Country Fire Brigades Board (CFBB) brigades. It’s priceless to me as it gets used at brigade open days and events. It still pumps as designed and is popular with kids.”

One of the many items of clothing in his collection is the dress uniform worn by the much-respected former CFA Chief Officer Euan Ferguson AFSM.

“Euan enjoyed walking through the Dandenongs and he dropped into my fire station from time to time,” Peter said. “I got hold of a uniform from CFA HQ and thought it was Euan’s, so I asked him. He said it wasn’t his, but he then rang me later to tell me he had found his uniform in a box. He asked me if I would like it and I obviously said yes.”

Peter’s knowledge of old firefighting equipment is impressive, but it’s his sentimental connection to some items that is more striking. For example, his most treasured possession is a nondescript firefighter’s helmet that was worn during the 1983 Ash Wednesday fires.

“Herb Detez was the group officer of Dandenong Ranges and the duty officer during the Ash Wednesday fires,” Peter said. “He was a mentor to me when I joined the brigade and I went to a lot of fires with him. He was an inspiration. When he talked, people listened. His helmet has so much sentimental value to me.”

Peter can pick up any one of his many items and tell a fascinating story about it.

“Everything has a story. I have a small wooden barrel that was carried on a private fire engine in London before the Metropolitan Fire Brigade was formed in 1866. Captain Frederick Hodges was a gin distiller who also owned a fleet of fire engines to protect his distillery and the surrounding area. The barrel was filled with gin. The fire engine won awards at the 1862 International Exhibition in London.

“I love collecting these small, unusual items. It’s never ending.” 

When many brigades have open days or special events, they like to display fascinating pieces of fire brigade memorabilia for community members to look at. Recognising this demand, Peter has assembled a mini collection that he’s happy to lend to brigades.

“I’m also happy to go to the brigade and set up a display,” Peter said. If your brigade is interested in borrowing some items, email Peter at phenwoodcfa@gmail.com.

Despite his vast collection, Peter is keen to hunt down a couple of items: a CFBB station keeper hat badge, he thinks he has all the other hat badges, and a CFBB American Civil War style cap. If you can help Peter add these to his collection email phenwoodcfa@gmail.com.

Submitted by	News and Media

Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

Photo credit: Michelle Critchley

While the nation reflects on this year’s NAIDOC week theme ’50 Years Deadly’, one CFA space became a meaningful place of connection, where the art of weaving, culture and the quiet power of simply sitting together was shared.

Submitted by	CFA Media

Source: Prime Minister of Australia

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Source: Prime Minister of Australia

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Source: Australian Capital Territory Policing

Consumer Affairs Victoria is relaunching its Funda-rentals campaign for a second year to raise awareness about new rental reforms.  

The campaign focuses on changes that strengthen protections for renters while introducing clearer processes for both renters and rental providers.  

The most recent rental reforms came into effect on 31 March 2026. They include a simpler, faster standard rental application form and new rules to better protect renter privacy. 

The reforms also: 

• ban no-fault evictions 
• increase notice periods for rent increases and notices to vacate from 60 to 90 days 
• ban all types of rental bidding  
• strengthen the minimum standards for rental properties. 

These updates build on more than 150 rental reforms since 2020, reflecting a growing rental market. In 2024, around two million Victorians were living in rental properties. 

You can contact us if you need advice about your rights or have concerns.  

For more information about the campaign visit consumer.vic.gov.au/funda-rentals