Good Friday Appeal 2010.
Thanks to all the members and non-members that helped with the Royal Childrens Hospital Appeal. It took a lot of time to help collect the money from the commuity as it’s a big job with a lot of long driveways!

C.F.A. Good Friday Appeal.


Thanks, too, to everybody that donated money to this great cause. In 2010 we raised $1456.80 which is $150 up on last year’s effort.

Watch out for us in 2011.

  
Chewton CFA hosts Caulfield Scouts
On the 26th of October, 19 Scouts from 12th Caulfield Scout Troop Click here to open website in new window. visited the Chewton fire station following arrangements by one of our Scouts, during a combined weekend camp with 3rd Sunbury Troop at Golden Point. We met Captain Jo as she showed us around the station, the Chewton and Castlemaine firetrucks present and told us how everything worked. It was really fun especially when we got to go on the trucks and try on their uniforms. Familiarity with our various Emergency Services is an important part of our Scout activities and learning - thanks CFA!

Caulfield Scouts.


After, we went to the monster meeting place where on the 15th of December 1851, over 12,000 Gold Diggers met to protest. All in all it was a fantastic morning that everybody thoroughly enjoyed.

Chloe Love, Patrol Leader.


  
Chewton CFA Autumn Activity.
With a quiet fire season we have started some Breathing Apparatus training and we have some new recruits who we are starting to train  We are also starting up a new fireguard group out along the Pyrenees Highway and had a good turnout for that meeting. Anyone who missed that meeting and would like to be invoved can contact Dave Button on 0408 506 745. 

CFA Training.


The Royal Children’s Hospital Appeal came around very quickly this year so we went off around the town, waking everyone up to collect donations. To everyone who helped and to the kids we picked up on the way to help - thank you! And to everyone who gave money as well! Chewton collected $1040. Thank you all for another great effort.

Captain Jo Willen, Chewton CFA. April 2008.

  
A Seasonal Warning.
Chewton Brigade responded to a grass and scrub fire between Dinah Rd and Albert St on 19th October, just after midday. Six firefighting appliances from the area were in attendance. The fire was hot enough to burn green grass and was a timely reminder for everyone to be very careful whilst conducting burnoffs.

A Seasonal Warning.


Any resident wishing to conduct a burnoff should ring Vicfire on 1800 668 511 prior to ignition to register their burnoff. Details needed include property number, road/street name, nearest intersecting road, start and end times, any permit details as well as your contact details. Residents are reminded to contact 000 should their burnoff become out of your control.

Jo Willen, Captain Chewton CFA, 0408 522 488

  
Community Fireguards.
Bushfires and grass fires are a fact of life for those of us who choose to live in rural Victoria. Victoria is one of the most bushfire prone areas in the world and the news headlines are telling us it will get worse each year. We are fast approaching the start of another fire season and therefore need to plan and prepare, for now and the rest of the year. Those of us who live in Chewton need to make some critical decisions. Have you thought about what you are going to do?

Community Fireguard.


In a bushfire the CFA cannot protect every individual and every household as fire fighters need to concentrate on slowing the main fire front. This puts responsibility on individuals to accept a degree of self reliance and mutual reliance with their neighbours. Now is the time to start assessing your property and see what action needs to be taken to make your home defendable from fire.

Many people believe the CFA will always come to your property if threatened. But ask yourself this… Is my street and driveway narrow? Do I have overhanging branches along my driveway? If the answer is YES, a CFA tanker may not be able to directly support your property, a situation which is all too common in Chewton.

What is the answer? Community Fireguard.

Community Fireguard is a program which provides community groups with information, discussions and ideas, enabling members to develop and plan their own bushfire survival strategies. Groups are informal, usually meeting at each others houses to learn more about the options before and during the fire to decide what is best for your family.

Chewton is lucky enough to already have a number of Community Fireguard groups that work together during the fire season but more is always needed. The CFA will be holding the introduction to Community Fireguard at the Chewton Fire Station later this year and all residents are invited to attend. Please keep a look out for flyers advertising this important meeting and how you and your neighbours can form a Community Fireguard in your street.

Jo Willen, Captain, Chewton Fire Brigade.


  
Chewton C.F.A. Initiative And Innovation Awarded!
Chewton CFA has some really exciting news. The Brigade has won an Initiative and Innovation award!

Chewton C.F.A. Initiative and Innovation Award.


Chewton Fire Brigade has been recognised for 3 initiatives: the very successful conduct of a recruiting drive which resulted in the addition of 12 new Brigade members, the establishment of a new Brigade fundraising team and a significant contribution by the Brigade to the conduct of recruit courses within the Metcalfe Group. These initiatives demonstrate excellent leadership and teamwork within the Brigade.

None of the Members knew about the award until the night of June the 1st when we had a bonfire and BBQ. It was a great surprise to all. Not only did we get a framed certificate, we also won received $1000.00. A fun night was had by all. Thanks to Deb Andre for coming and presenting the award from the Region Headquarters in Bendigo, along with Peter Wilson Metcalfe Group Officer.

I would like to say well done to the Officers and Members and let’s keep up the great work!

There have been no fires or incidents within Chewton for a couple of months so keep up the great work. Now is the time to start cleaning up outside, and doing your burn offs because before you know it, summer will be here.

Jo Willen, Captain, Chewton CFA.

  
Chewton CFA Appeals to Everyone.
The Good Friday Appeal saw the Chewton CFA up and about early. The sirens signalled to the community that it was collection day again. For the CFA volunteers and helpers there’s a lot of door knocking and running up long drives - but no-one complains.

Chewton C.F.A. Good Friday Appeal.


The smaller Slip-on unit heads into the hills of Chewton and up Golden Point Road while the much larger Tanker starts at the other end of Chewton. The two units meet up at Pitman Street. After the money is counted it goes into Castlemaine and from there it is taken to Melbourne.

Good Friday is a long day for for Chewton CFA - but well worth it according to Captain Jo Willen who passed on her thanks to the collectors and to everyone who gave so generously. In 2007 Chewton CFA $1230.00!

  
A Light Hearted Training Session.
On the 25th of February 2007 Chewton and Elphinstone Fire Brigades met at Chewton Fire Station for the first annual BA Soccer tournament. A challenge was issued to Chewton by Elphinstone less than a month before, after hearing about the game Chewton members Jo Willen and Peter Farley had played to keep their skills up.

Air Breather Soccer.


After the approval of both brigades and the Region, the date was set. Kim Hinz of Elphinstone organised for the BA trailer to attend, Operations Manager Mike Wassing organised the referee to be Operations Officer Tim Fitzgerald, whilst Jo organised the BBQ.

Teams were selected with four members playing for each brigade with only two allowed on the field from each team at one time. When the whistle goes it means is that you’re nearly out of air and the whistle is a warning to say that you must leave what your doing, and so that player is replaced by a fresh player. That goes on until the last person stands - leaving that brigade the winner.

Representing Chewton were Jo Willen, David Button, Lauren Tyrrell, Luke Farley and coach Ben Klimeck, and representing Elphinstone were Helen El Cheik, Cameron Hughes, Bernie King and Chris Slee.

The aim of the session was training which was getting the wearer’s heart rate and adrenalin to rise to simulate live conditions. All up the game lasted for 1 hour and 40 minutes with Chewton taking the trophy, having not only the last player on the ground but also having scored the most goals 36 to 27. After the game finished and all sets had been made up and packed away both brigades enjoyed a BBQ, soft drinks and a good laugh together. A big thanks goes out to all who participated including Tim Fitzgerald and PAD Operator Eric Smith.

Jo Willen, Captain of Chewton CFA.

  
Fire at Golden Point.
The last day of October and the November Chewton Chat was coming back from the printers. A feature article in it was the recent Awards Night at the Chewton CFA. Photos and a write-up told of the celebrations that night – and of the impressive range of Service Award Medals given out.

Bulldozed Firebreak.


Former captain John Preece received a 55-year award, Les Jenkins a 35-year award, Gary Van den Driesen a 20-year award, Captain Jo Willen received a 12-year award, as did David Button, Peter Farley, Jenny Jarman and David Watson. Due for awards but not able to be present were Ian Maltby (35 years) and Trevor Preece (12 years).

Then there was Kit Lindsay, Elsie Williamson and Edna Preece (45-year awards), Merle Jenkins (30-year and 35-year awards), Marilyn Dawe (a 35-year award) and Cheryl Bridgeland (a 20-year award) – Jean Walsh (12 years) who also couldn’t be present.

How many small organizations could boast such dedication – and how many families could boast 100 years of CFA service between them as John (55) and Edna (45) Preece could? Edna proudly said John wore his old uniform to the presentation – even more proudly John said he could do the buttons up too! (And of course, son Trevor takes the total to an amazing 112!)

The last day of October and the fire trucks and sirens started going past out orchard and up the Llewellyn Road hill. Smoke was just visible in the pine plantation over the hill. Only 8.30ish – a great start to the day!

Phone calls around our local community fireguard group started – but with no hard information of where or how big. The fire trucks and sirens kept going up the hill. Chewton, Castlemaine, Harcourt, DSE, Heathcote and from much further afield – a geography lesson as well as a practical demonstration of co-operation!

An intermittent procession of fire trucks going up the hill was added to by the same trucks returning to Expedition Pass Reservoir to fill and the re-enter the fire zone. The fire was contained later in the morning, but not before the succession of fire vehicles was supplemented by a bulldozer bearing truck.

A late afternoon message confirmed the battle had been won and suggested a look at the fire scene. A quick visit before evening revealed the proximity and extent of the fire – app. 5 hectare was suggested, and close enough to be thankful it was a mild, wind-free day. The visit revealed also that most CFA trucks had left, but the Chewton CFA truck was there with Captain Jo and some very weary firefighters who explained the rugged terrain in the pine plantation was very, very steep. DSE vehicles kept arriving as the CFA unit prepared to leave. Evidently the plantation owners, Hancock’s, had staff and water tankers on site to do the overnight patrol. And as I write this the next morning the DSE fire units have already started their fill at the res and blacking out at the fire scene routine.

The years of service medals was an abstract concept when they were printed in the Chewton Chat yesterday – today they are abstract no longer! Their importance is fully understood and they are fully appreciated. And as one of the weary Chewton firefighters said – their firetruck had to be taken back and prepared for use again before they could knock off. After all, they might be called out again overnight. All part of the fun of being a volunteer!

  
C.F.A. Minisite.
Chewton CFA is a small brigade (approx. 20 members) and has been serving the Chewton township and district since 1947.Chewton C.F.A.
We support a number of Community Fireguard Groups; in fact we strongly recommend that you join the group nearest your new home as it is a very valuable source of information for keeping you and your home safe from fire. If your home is in the surrounding bushland areas we will happily tour it with you to make sure that it is as "bushworthy" as possible.

We are a friendly and approachable brigade. If you would like to meet us just drop in at the fire station in Mount Street on any Sunday morning about 10 a.m. and have a cuppa with us.

Jo Willen (Captain)

5472 1978.
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