General News
20 July, 2023
Chocolyn CFA honours service
CHOCOLYN’S CFA brigade has honoured the service of its volunteers at a recent awards night, honouring members from inception to the present day.
CHOCOLYN’S CFA brigade has honoured the service of its volunteers at a recent awards night, honouring members from inception to the present day.
An honour board was unveiled on the night, listing the names of past captains, secretaries and life members.
The names go as far back as 1954, the year the Chocolyn brigade was established.
Secretary Leigh Harry said he happened to look around the Camperdown Fire Station while awaiting a call out last summer.
“It was while there that I noticed the honour and name boards mounted around the room,” he said.
“These were honouring brigade members lost during the wars, life members, captains and office bearers, and their fireman of the year.
“It struck me that Chocolyn had none of that – in fact, there was little available to record the history of our brigade.
“And so, from there – and with the help of our senior members – we have now recorded on an honour board many of those that have contributed much to our brigade over the years.”
The board was unveiled by longest serving member Tom Hose and Kerrie Hill, who was representing her late father and Chocolyn captain of 21 years Ian Farquharson.
Long serving stalwart Ted Peers was also recognised for his outstanding 40-year contribution to the CFA and the Chocolyn community with a Life Member Award.
Ted joined the CFA in 1958 at the Perry Bridge unit in Gippsland before moving to Camperdown in 1994.
Volunteers Andrew Burrows and Mel Greig also received awards for their service.
Currently, there are 22 members of the Chocolyn brigade, with 14 active firefighters.
Mr Harry said recruitment in recent years has brought in a youthful group that had filled the void left by the retirement of senior members.
“We have a broad age range from Alex Martin at 18 through to our senior group,” he said.
“While obviously a male-dominated brigade, we are very pleased to have Emily with us – who had taken on the role of training officer this year.
“Our brigade is normally quiet, with a relatively low number of turnouts each year, but what we lack in call outs we make up for in spirit and enthusiasm.
“The Chocolyn community has a reputation for being close knit and this was demonstrated by the strong support and attendance, not only on the night, but is reflected in the brigade’s spirit.”