Making major milestones is a significant part of the Rochester Fire Brigade story.

Members, past and present, and guests gathered at the Rochester Shire Hall to recognise the brigade’s 150th year and annual awards dinner.

But at the same time celebrated more than 25 years of community service by captain Luke Warren, who stood down after a decade at the helm of the brigade.

As did his wife Heidi, who has been brigade treasurer for 10 years. Both remain fully operational members.

Mr Warren received his 25-year service medal in 2024, and said he felt he had been in the captain’s job more than long enough and it was time for new leadership, new ideas and a new approach.

Mr Warren said there were many standouts during his time, including the Code Red at Strathallan in November 2019, the Victorian Government’s fire services reforms and the current wrangle around the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund levy.

“Strathallan was a big challenge, we had structures destroyed and six families ended up having to flee their homes at one point,” Mr Warren said.

“It drew in multiple brigades, and we were on duty there for days in what was an incredibly bad summer right across the state.

“The fire services reform promised a lot but as a brigade of volunteers we can’t see that it has taken us forward in any way, it certainly hasn’t worked as well as everyone might have hoped.

“And as there are no staffed stations anywhere near us, all we have really noticed is the disappearing funding.

“The emergency services levy is a bit similar, once again as a brigade we can’t see that this has been done to the wider benefit of the CFA or the community.”

Overriding all that was the 2022 floods when the fire brigade had its biggest moment in recent memory, helping rescue the town from something other than fire.

“The brigade rescued/evacuated 321 people on its trucks during the floods – that was an incredible response to help our community,” Mr Warren said.

He also thanked members for their support and commitment to the brigade.

Incoming captain Chris Nesbit, who had served with a unit near Colac, moved to Rochester several years ago and joined the local brigade.

“Chris was a standout choice to mentor as our next captain and I am confident he and his new leadership group will do a brilliant job for the brigade and the community,” Mr Warren said.

After years of campaigning, the final highlight for Mr Warren had been securing the money to build the new Rochester fire station — with the project very close to going out to tender and heralding a bright future for this vital local service.

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Sunday, 24th September 2023

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