By MELISSA MEEHAN
IN 1995, Anthony and Travis Hall were tragically killed in a road accident in Cockatoo.
At only 15 and 13 years of age respectively, both boys were in the Upwey Junior Fire Brigade.
Anthony was Junior Captain at the time of the accident.
The boys were the sons of the then Senior Brigade’s 1st Lieutenant Peter Hall and wife Liz.
Their loss was a shock to many because they were very popular in the community and successful in brigade competitions throughout many areas of the state.
A fund in memory of the boys was established in 1998 for young adults of the volunteer fire service and the greater Dandenongs community to undertake a defensive driving course.
The fund is managed by prominent members of the fire service and the Dandenong Ranges community in Peter Hall, Graeme Legge, Bob Horner, Geoff Champion and Peter Marke (convenor) in conjunction with the Upwey brigade.
The one-day courses are valued at $295 each.
The fund received tremendous support from local fire brigades and residents and even people from the suburbs.
The Dandenong Ranges Community Bank Group also donated funds to assist with advertising and administering the fund.
“We have now raised over $20,000, with support from the Murcott’s Driving Excellence who have donated two courses every year,” Mr Hall said.
To commemorate its 19 years of operation, it has been decided to award eight courses.
Four courses have been awarded to young members of the fire service and four to members of the local community.
“When young people get their licence, they think they know everything about driving,” Mr Hall said.
“But everyone that has done this course, they rave about it – it teaches them things they need to know, but often don’t.”
The awards were presented on Thursday night to James Templeton (Belgrave CFA), Olivia Hardwick (from Upwey), Eliza Sawyer (Macclesfield CFA), Cameron Horner (Sassafras CFA), Mia Ray (Emerald), Christopher Lambert (Ferny Creek), Christopher Lewis (Upper Ferntree Gully CFA) and Mitchell Branson (Silvan).
