Firies’ 50 years

By Russell Bennett
THE MONBULK CFA auxiliary will celebrate 50 years of service to the brigade and local community on Sunday, 5 February.
The once defunct ladies’ auxiliary was re-formed following more than three days of bushfires in January 1962. The fires ravaged large areas of the Dandenong Ranges, including parts of Monbulk.
Residents went through a night of terror when the pine plantation at Olinda erupted, causing the bushfire to continue on its path of destruction, destroying many buildings in the Monbulk area.
A community meeting was held in the RSL Hall on 31 January 1962. It was heated in more ways than one, with local residents discussing the fire danger and how to improve the way the community could support the Monbulk fire brigade.
It was unanimously decided to reform the ladies’ auxiliary, which met on 5 February 1962 to elect a committee.
The ladies’ auxiliary was a small, yet progressive group of dedicated people who took it upon themselves to improve the way their local community handled fire situations.
The ladies took action by raising thousands of dollars over the past 50 years, which have gone towards purchasing vital firefighting equipment.
They also purchased radios, the CFA’s first mobile kitchen, rescue equipment, a brigade-designed trailer feeding unit, were responsible for the bulk of the cost of the new fire station, and contributed heavily to truck maintenance and replacement.
The Monbulk CFA and ladies’ auxiliary will celebrate the 50-year milestone on 5 February with a get-together of past and present members for afternoon tea at the Monbulk Hub, on the corner of Moores Road and Main Road in Monbulk.
Past members who do not receive an invitation prior to the event should contact Sally Rutzou on 9756 6417 or 0409 808 371, or Vaughan Hinton on 9756 6921 or 0417 659 132 before 27 January.