Thursday, 3 April 2025

 Vicki WARD (Eltham – Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Natural Disaster Recovery, Minister for Equality) (10:09): Yesterday, 2 April, celebrated the 80th anniversary of the Country Fire Authority, eight decades of volunteerism in protecting lives and property and bringing communities together. The Yallourn fire of 1944 and its just devastating impact led to the creation of this regional firefighting, volunteer-based network dedicated to safeguarding communities. I particularly want to recognise the work of the fantastic CFA brigades in my electorate: Diamond Creek, Eltham, Research and Wattle Glen. We have amazing volunteers at these brigades, and I thank them and their leadership teams, including captains Noel Farmer, Steve Riley, Nev Stewart and David Reuter and all who served before them. The value of the leadership and service of our volunteers in all that they do in responding to emergencies, supporting our communities to be fire ready and strengthening communities cannot be overstated. Thank you to the tens of thousands of CFA volunteers for your commitment to Victorian communities.