Burnett Heads Rural Fire Brigade has notched up six decades of helping the community to stay informed and safe when it comes to fire.
On 25 February the committed Queensland Rural Fire Service members will open their doors in celebration of their 60th anniversary.
Burnett Heads Rural Fire Brigade’s Carey and Jenny Mitchell are encouraging community members to stop by and check out some of the service’s history or perhaps consider becoming volunteers.
“The Burnett Heads Rural Fire Brigade started from humble beginnings in February 1963 after the Burnett Heads Progress Association recognised the need for a brigade to be formed,” Jenny said.
“It was then known as the Burnett Heads Voluntary Fire Brigade.
“The brigade officially formed part of Queensland Rural Fire Service Rural Operations, which was then known as the Rural Fires Board, on 23 December 1978.
“At this time, the brigade was operated by just 13 residents and landholders.
“The station, as it stands today, in Brewer Street, was built in 1995 and houses both rural and urban brigades.”
As secretary Jenny said there was about 25 members on the books, with a dozen members currently active at Burnett Heads.
“Absolutely people should come along and see what the rural fire service has to offer,” she said.
“I’ve been in the service for quite a long time, previously at Avondale and now with Burnett Heads Rural Fire Brigade for the last four years since moving here.
Her husband Carey serves as First Officer, and the pair think there is nothing better than giving back to the community, especially since they are both retired.
“I’m 73 years old and Carey is 76, you can never be too old to join,” Jenny laughed.
“I enjoy doing it as it keeps my brain active and the friendliness of it all.
“No matter people’s life experience, we have something they can do to help. Whether it’s cleaning the trucks or fighting fires, there’s plenty to do.”
Carey said local brigade had a lot of dedicated volunteers, including long-serving member Paul Egan, who had been in the service for the past 40 years.
“I guess we like passing on our knowledge,” Carey said.
“That’s what we hope to do with young members, and to the community who come out to our open day.”
Jenny said the past two years in the Bundaberg Region had been relatively quiet on the fire front, and she hoped the 60th anniversary and its open day would spark an interest in younger community members to sign up.
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