Tuesday, 12 August 2025

 Bridget VALLENCE (Evelyn) (12:56): The Country Fire Authority chief officer’s commendation is a prestigious award given only on rare occasions in recognition of exceptional service. It is tremendous to see many local district 13 CFA brigades receiving chief officer’s commendations for their actions during the devastating June 2021 storms across the Dandenong Ranges and the Yarra Valley, playing an important role supporting the work of our local Lilydale SES and Emerald SES units. On 9 June 2021 our region suffered extreme cyclonic conditions, which saw massive trees ripped from the ground, powerlines down and thousands of homes without power and communications for weeks. Local volunteer firefighters demonstrated, to the highest level, the spirit of the CFA by responding without hesitation.

CFA brigades receiving this prestigious commendation include Coldstream, Lilydale, Montrose, Mooroolbark, Mount Evelyn, Seville, Chirnside Park, Silvan, Badger Creek, Bayswater, Belgrave, Belgrave Heights and South Boronia, Clematis, Emerald, Ferntree Gully, Healesville, Hillcrest, Hoddles Creek, Kallista–The Patch, Kalorama–Mount Dandenong, Macclesfield, Menzies Creek, Monbulk, Narre Warren East, Olinda, Rowville, Sassafras–Ferny Creek and Selby, The Basin, Upper Ferntree Gully, Upwey, Warburton, Warrandyte, Wesburn–Millgrove, Wonga Park, Yarra Junction and Yellingbo. Our volunteer firefighters are on the front line of emergency service and work together as one with the SES, with police and with all emergency services, and we thank you for your service.