By Peter Douglas
MONTROSE CFA is set to release a calendar with fun images of firefighters featured for each month of the year.
In a fundraising effort to go towards purchasing equipment for the brigade, local firefighters have teamed up with photographer Arek Rainczuk, of Five Castles Portraits, and taken some ‘tongue-in-cheek’ photographs in the community.
One major theme of the calendar is fire safety in the community.
Another theme is to show how Montrose’s volunteer firefighters connect their firefighting roles with their regular full-time job and everyday lives, as well as their vital connection to the community.
But there is much emphasis not just on education, but entertainment.
CFA Captain Rob Waters said they wanted to produce a calendar that wasn’t a run-of-the-mill production.
Photographer, Arek Rainczuk, is a Melbourne-based photographer who recently moved to the Dandeong Ranges, bringing his photography business with him.
He opened a studio in Belgrave.
“I moved to the Hills for the trees and open spaces,” he said.
“I wanted to help the guys who are protecting this beautiful place.
“Working with the team at Montrose CFA on this photo shoot is a lot of fun and I’m really looking forward to seeing the reaction to this calendar when it’s released in August.”
The Montrose Fire Brigade comprises about 60 volunteer members from the various walks of life, including students, trades people and professional.
The brigade is a member of the Knox Fire Brigdes Group, which comprises eight brigades who regularly provide operational support to one another.
The calendar will be made available shortly, contact Montrose CFA for more details.
