109 May 2022 Merrijig community Newsletter

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CFA News
From Anthony Wakeling
Well after a very welcome quiet Summer Fire season it has been a busy Autumn for the Merrijig
Brigade. Numerous minor call outs kept the Brigade volunteers busy with call outs to a number of
incidents that required attendance, a minor roadside fire on Mt Buller Rd, two minor fire incidents at
Tolmie, an escaped burn off at Howqua Hills, a vehicle off road at Sheepyard Flat, a Hydraulic Oil
spill on Mt Buller, and 2 false alarms on the Howqua Track after recent FFM Planned Burns. A huge
thank you goes to all brigade members who gave up their time to attend to these incidents.
Volunteers, in all forms, are the pillar of our community and play an essential and much
appreciated role.
Once again the Merrijig Brigade was able to assist with the always popular Merrijig Rodeo, manning
the Competitors gate. Thanks to those brigade members who gave up their time to help out both on
the Friday evening and Saturday morning. Our congratulations to the Rodeo committee volunteers
who again put together a fabulous event, a great achievement to totally sell out the event and again
our thanks for your generous donation to us and other volunteer organisations who assisted in
making the Rodeo the great spectacle it was.
We have recently had two long term members resign from the brigade and I would like to
publicly thank John Findlay and Michael Wharen for their selfless contributions they have made in
their service to the community. Both have served numerous roles within the brigade giving up much
of their personal time to strengthen the brigade's efficiency and value to the Merrijig community. Both
John’s and Michael’s presence and contribution will be sadly missed by the Brigade. Michael and
Martina are leaving the district and we wish them well in their new ventures.
Very fortunately we have recently recruited two new members to the Brigade, Tom Dunlop and Adrian
Laurence have completed their Fire Fighting training with flying colours and are now both fully
qualified to serve. Thanks for coming on board guys, it’s great to have some fresh faces about the
brigade. If you or anybody you know wishes to sign up with the Merrijig Brigade please contact the
Brigade Captain, Anthony Wakeling 0425877516. New members are always very welcome.
On a final note please be aware that while we may have had a quiet summer, autumn and winter also
bring their share of attendances. Plan your burn offs with thought, take into account weather
conditions and ensure the area around your burn piles are well clear of any grass or debris that may
allow the fire to run out of control. As the weather cools off wood heaters are going to be back in use
again, is your chimney and flue in good condition? When was the last time you had it cleaned?
Regards
Merrijig CFA Brigade
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