By Parker McKenzie
Belgrave CFA celebrated its 100th birthday this month, with the brigade hosting a celebratory function featuring life members and current firefighters coming together.
Brigade Captain Phil Keep said the event was held on Saturday 25 March at Mater Christi College.
“Each brigade member got a commemorative deal that says 100 years on it and engraved with the Puffing Billy trestle bridge, their names and their volunteer number,” he said.
“I presented all the life members with a commemorative medal and then I got the life members to present the medals to the firefighters and other members.”
Mr Keep has been captain of the brigade for 22 years and a member for over a quarter of Belgrave CFA’s existence.
Member of the Centenary Committee James Bakker said the function was a celebration of the brigade and a great night for all involved.
“We are very proud to be a part of the community, to serve the community and proud to reflect our community for over 100 years,” he said.
Mr Bakker said dignitaries, current brigade members and life members were all present at the event.
“We had around 140 people there, including local councillor Joanna Skelton, Daniella De Martino, Monbulk member and Aaron Violi, member for Casey,” he said.
“We also had Trevor Owen, Deputy Chief Officer, and nearly all our life members present, with only a couple who were away due to infirmity and distance.”
Mr Keep said Belgrave CFA, which was founded in 1923 and is one of the busiest brigades in the state, is like “a big family.”
“It can be a bit daunting, but I’d encourage anybody to join because if you ever need a hand, there’ll be someone there always,” he said.
“There’ll be a few more brigades celebrating 100 years in the next few years like us, some of which are older than the CFA itself.”
The brigade is completely comprised of volunteers, and its history was previously recorded in Our History: March 1923 to June 2002.
Mr Bakker said the brigade has several community engagement events planned throughout the year.
“We had a history book printed in 2002 and I’m currently working on an update on that, which will be coming out towards the end of the year,” he said.
“We’re going to have a mural installed, which has been prepared and developed with the help of Yarra Ranges Community Grants that was completed by local Artist Jackie Christians, and I believe we’re going to have an open day for the community later in the year.”
He thanked Mater Christi College for hosting the event for free and being so accommodating on the night.
