Wednesday, 28 May 2025

Dale Pitts

Vicki WARD (Eltham – Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Natural Disaster Recovery, Minister for Equality) (10:37): Congratulations and big thanks to Dale Pitts on his extraordinary 50 years of service in the Wattle Glen Fire Brigade. Dale joined the CFA in March 1975, quickly taking on many leadership roles, from comms officer in his first year to becoming first lieutenant and then in 1985 becoming captain. Over his 12 years as captain, the longest in the brigade, Dale led the brigade through significant changes, welcoming several female firefighters, including his wife Joy, and overseeing the transformation of the station which had been an old tin shed housing a worn Newton lean-to out the back. His leadership helped modernise the facility at Wattle Glen and its surrounds. They have evolved beyond community country roots, and it is fantastic to see the modern facility that is there today.

Dale’s family have all been involved in the brigade: his wife Joy and children Elizabeth and Nathan were all registered firefighters until Elizabeth’s and Nathan’s careers took them from the area. I also want to give a call-out to Joy for her service. It is fantastic to note that there is actually a street named after them at the emergency management training centre facility in Ballan. Dale’s active service and volunteerism took him beyond our community as a PAD operator at Fiskville and as a driving instructor for on- and off-road courses for CFA drivers, conducting 47 courses in his time there, and of course Joy helped him with that as well. He also conducted courses at the Department of Sustainability and Environment with Parks Victoria and joined the District 14 Headquarters, acting as an OH&S officer. I understand Dale played an important role in January 1998 with Nick Sturgess regarding one of the largest fires Wattle Glen has ever seen for many years.