The Upton Hill community today welcomed the completion of the new purpose-built fire station, as part of the State Government’s commitment to improve community safety.
Representing Deputy Premier and Minister for Police and Emergency Services Peter Ryan, Member for Benalla Bill Sykes today officially opened the new station and said the $391,000 Upton Hill fire station would cater for the brigade’s current and future needs.
“The new Upton Hill fire station will replace the original 26 year-old station with a modern base of operations, greatly improved facilities including a brigade office, storerooms, toilets, water tanks to fill tankers, protective clothing racks and a workshop facility,” said Dr Sykes.
“The new station accommodates the brigade’s fire truck and trailer unit and an extra bay provides a safer working environment which will also allow for any future expansion for the brigade.”
Dr Sykes said many of Upton Hill’s residents were CFA volunteers and fire safety educators and the unveiling of the brigade Honour Boards would acknowledge Upton Hill brigade members for their outstanding service to CFA and their community.
“The Upton Hill brigade has a great history of commitment to the CFA and in protecting lives and property, including during the north east fires in 2006 and their early response in February 2009 to the Saunders Road fire in Kilmore East and the Kinglake fire,” he said
Dr Sykes said the new station’s facilities would enhance and strengthen the brigade’s relationship with the local community with the inclusion of a community meeting room to engage locals in fire safety awareness, preparation and planning.
“Planning ahead for fire safety can save people from being killed by fire and discussing bushfire plans at your local CFA brigade fire station such as at Upton Hill can be a major step forward for individual and community safety,” he said.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services Peter Ryan said State Government funding would continue to deliver real support to the CFA and Victorians’ safety.
“This Government is committed to building fire stations across Victoria to help ensure essential CFA services in local communities and by investing $65.8 million on 60 new or upgraded CFA stations across Victoria we will see that commitment fulfilled,” he said.
“The State Government is also delivering on its commitment to Victorians’ safety by rolling out a total of 101 new firefighting vehicles this financial year, and is committed to building and upgrading 250 CFA stations across Victoria by November 2014,” Mr Ryan said.
In opening the Upton Hill fire station Dr Sykes also took the opportunity to remind all residents to ‘prepare, act, survive’ ahead of this year’s fire season which is expected to produce potentially dangerous fire situations particularly in grassland areas.

Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes, representing the Deputy Premier and Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Peter Ryan officially opened the new $211,000 fire station at Wahring today.
Dr Sykes said the new station replaced the original station built in the 1950’s and will enhance community safety and help protect local lives.
“This new station is a big step forward for the safety of the local community and fire prevention in the Strathbogie area,” Dr Sykes said.
“The new station’s much improved facilities include a double bay vehicle room, racks for protective clothing, electronic station doors, map boards and work benches and will help to strengthen the brigade’s relationship with the local community.
“The new station accommodates the Brigade’s fire truck and an extra bay provides a safer working environment which will also allow for any future expansion for the brigade.”
“I am confident that the new station will serve the community well and enable the brigade’s 34 members to better protect property, homes and lives in the event of an emergency as well as providing for the brigade’s future needs,” Dr Sykes said.
Dr Sykes said rural community brigades such as Wahring, which was formed in 1926 and incorporated into a CFA brigade in 1945, were key to the success of CFA and Victoria’s emergency service response.
“CFA gains its strength from its volunteers and their dedication and commitment to protecting Victorian lives. I applaud the work of all CFA volunteers who make such an important contribution to the wellbeing and safety of Victorians,” he said.
The Minister, Peter Ryan said that State Government funding would deliver upgraded fire stations across Victoria and ensure that the CFA continued its critical role for years to come.
“By building new fire stations such as here at Wahring and investing $65.8 million towards 60 new or upgraded CFA stations across Victoria, the State Government is truly delivering on its commitment to support CFA,” he said.
“This commitment will also see the Government deliver 101 new firefighting vehicles this financial year as part of an overall commitment to build and upgrade 250 CFA stations across Victoria by November 2014.”
The funding and construction of the new fire station is part of the State Government’s Rural Fire Station Program.

Marraweeny and Boho South district residents will be better equipped to deal with the threat of fire with a new $214,000 station officially opened at Marraweeny today.
Representing Deputy Premier and Minister for Police and Emergency Services Peter Ryan, Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes said the new facility replaced an outdated station built 52 years ago.
“For the residents of the Marraweeny and Boho South District, this new station represents an investment in community safety,” Dr Sykes said.
“The new building will provide members with a more modern base to work from and will better equip the 63-year-old brigade to continue providing its essential emergency services.”
Dr Sykes said the new station accommodated the brigade’s tanker, with an extra bay for expansion in the future. It also included on-site parking, water tanks to fill tankers, clothing racks and a workshop area.
“I am confident this new station will better cater for the brigade’s future needs and is a big improvement on the old shed. Brigade members built the original station in 1959 which was upgraded in 1970, but was still without electricity and toilet facilities,” Dr Sykes said.
“It will also help this brigade continue its important role in fire prevention and management in the local area, and continue to support surrounding communities as part of the Euroa Group of Brigades.”
Marraweeny Fire Brigade President, Jim Mactier said, “This is a pretty momentous thing for some of us old blokes. I know that at least three people who will be present at the opening will recall back to the early days when we had a slip-on with a furphy tank and no shed.
“When we finally did get a shed it had no power which made re-fuelling and checking equipment during a fire event particularly hard at night time.”
As part of the official opening, 28 Marraweeny Fire Brigade members were presented with service awards – totalling 735 combined years of commitment to CFA.
“This remarkable figure highlights the dedication of this fire brigade and, for this service, we owe our thanks,” Dr Sykes said.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Police and Emergency Services Peter Ryan said CFA members – both volunteers and paid – were leaders in Victorian communities and were dedicated to protecting lives and property.
“Local volunteer agencies such as the Marraweeny Fire Brigade are the backbone of Victoria’s emergency service response,” Mr Ryan said.
“The Coalition Government is investing $65.8 million towards 60 new or upgraded CFA stations and rolling out 101 new firefighting vehicles this financial year alone as part of an overall commitment to build and upgrade 250 CFA stations across Victoria by November 2014.”

Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes represented the Deputy Premier and Minister for Police and Emergency Services Peter Ryan at the Moyhu and District Fire Brigade Group Dinner on Saturday 29 October at the King Valley Cucina restaurant during which he presented CFA members from Moyhu, Carboor, Edi and Milawa with service awards and medals.
A husband and wife team who operated the Moyhu & District Fire Brigade Group radio base from their home for 28 years, are among local CFA members being recognised today for their outstanding contribution to the emergency services.
Carole and Bernie McDonald from Moyhu Fire Brigade received a National Medal and National Medal 10-year Clasp respectively - Australia’s most awarded civilian medal recognising long and diligent service in the emergency services – for their exceptional contribution to fire safety in the region. Bernie was first-awarded the National Medal in 2000 and now receives the clasp for a further 10 years of exemplary service to CFA.
Dr Bill Sykes presented the couple with their awards, as well as 11 other recognitions at a dinner ceremony at Cucina in the King Valley.
Recipients of service awards included George Box from Carboor Fire Brigade and Dan O’Donoghue from Edi Fire Brigade for 60 years’ service, and Robin Gibb and John Brown, both from Milawa Fire Brigade, who were awarded for 55 years of service.
“CFA members from Moyhu Group have shown once again their dedication and commitment to their job,” Dr Sykes said.
“Carole and Bernie are particularly deserving of the prestigious national award having been on standby 24 hours a day and providing high level support to the local brigades over almost three decades,” Dr Sykes said.
“They also played an important role during the major fires in King Valley during the 2006-07 summer and we congratulate them, and all the service award recipients, for their outstanding efforts.”
Deputy Premier and Minister for Police and Emergency Services Peter Ryan said CFA members – both volunteers and paid – were leaders in Victorian communities and were dedicated to protecting lives and property.
“With 60,000 members, including 58,000 volunteers along with career firefighters, community educators and support personnel, CFA serves around 3.3 million Victorians, protecting more than one million dwellings,” he said.
“The CFA is one of the world’s largest volunteer-based emergency service organisations and gains its strength from the commitment, selflessness, professionalism, bravery and tenacity of its volunteers.”
Nominations for national medals are made by the chief officer of the nominee’s organisation and recognises long service in approved organisations that protect life and property at some risk to their members.