By EMMA SUN
ALMOST 70 Mount Evelyn residents will be better protected this fire season after signing up for a free CFA bushfire risk assessment at the Mount Evelyn CFA’s annual garage sale.
And the CFA is still encouraging residents who didn’t get around to putting their names down to contact them and book in an inspection.
Leading Senior Constable Lisa Brooks, who was one of the organisers of the bushfire awareness campaign, said she was very pleased with how the day went.
“We had our official CFA assessment fellow there and he has made over 60 bookings to go and assess people’s houses and properties,” she said.
“It’s brilliant and a fantastic response – we were really happy with that. A lot of people weren’t aware of this service and now they are and they’ve all booked in so those will be happening over the next few months.”
Students from schools around Mount Evelyn were present in force to hear the results of the poster and colouring competitions, which were all held to raise more awareness for the impending bushfire season.
Courtney Smith of Yarra Hills Secondary College won a $50 cash voucher from Mount Evelyn Neighbourhood Watch for her poster, a book package was presented to Jessica Hook from Mount Evelyn Christian College for the Colour My Uniform competition and Hanna Rush from Birmingham Primary School, Brooke Gischus from Mount Evelyn Primary School and Isobelle Weatherley from Mount Evelyn Christian School for the Captain Koala competition and Sarah Vanderkolk from Mount Evelyn Primary School took home a $20 iTunes voucher from IGA for winning the crossword competition.
Ldg Sen Const Brooks said it was fantastic to see so many children get involved.
“The kids loved it and the schools really got involved,” she said.
“Their response was so overwhelming that we had to create more prizes – we had colourings spread all over the LLINC floor with just a kaleidoscope of colours.”
Brigade captain Jim Armstrong said the garage sale went amazingly well, with several hundred people attending to buy thousands of items including plants, furniture, bric a brac, tools and electrical items, toys and a large selection of books.
He said the money will go towards replacing their four-wheel drive and their ultra light tanker.
Both Mr Armstrong and Ldg Sen Const Brooks said they are now looking forward to next year’s garage sale, which they hope to make even better.
“We’re definitely looking forward to next year,” Ldg Sen Const Brooks said.
“We’re have another meeting to re-evaluate and see where we might head next year and the committee is very pumped.
“Our purpose will be an access point for information and education about our bushfire prone area.”
Anyone looking to book a free CFA bushfire risk assessment can contact the Home Bushfire Advice Service on 9262 8501.