~THE BRIGADE BULLETIN~

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records. SPRING FAIR 12 NOVEMBER INFO P.

1 ~THE BRIGADE BULLETIN~ The occasional newsletter of the Michelago Rural Fire Brigade #41 4 November 2017 Find us on and Get Ready weekend; Mayor from Michelago meets the RFS; Training; Callouts; Goodbye Vern & Sue Drew; Bush Firefighter course; Lovegrass wars; District Doings; Spring Fair; BBQ fundraiser records. SPRING FAIR 12 NOVEMBER INFO P.7 Get Ready Photo: Keith Howker Michelago s contribution to the NSW RFS Get Ready campaign: on Saturday, 30 September, 8 am 2 pm, Captain Brent, Snr Deputy Captain Keith and Deputy Captain Derek were at the Michelago Store to answer questions about fire prevention and property security. Twelve people sought information and many others just stopped to chat and look at the equipment on the well-presented Cat1 tanker. Derek went and helped a new resident set up his dam pump. New Mayor meets the RFS Photos: Leanne Pattison Cr John Rooney, the inaugural mayor of Snowy-Monaro Regional Council, got to know the rural fire brigade volunteer services better at Michelago on the recent NSW RFS annual Get Ready weekend. He was briefed by (at left) Brent Wallis, Deputy Group Captain for the shire s northern district, and Michelago Brigade s Derek Giucci (Deputy Captain) and Snr Deputy Captain Keith Howker. M i c h e l a g o R u r a l F i r e B r i g a d e B u l l e t i n 41 O c t o b e r P a g e 1 8

Northern Divisional Brigades are Bredbo, Colinton, Michelago, Anembo, Smiths Road and Jerangle.

Brent also outlined the network of the three other Divisional Brigades in the Snowy Monaro Regional Council area.

BFMCs across NSW help identify assets at risk of bush fire, including communities, buildings, infrastructure, and

Top right: Mayor Rooney in the driver s seat of the Cat1. He checked that the lights and siren were working.

Right: Brent shows the features of the firefighter s helmet.

Centre: Thanks to Shop Sally for the scones.

2 Northern Divisional Brigades are Bredbo, Colinton, Michelago, Anembo, Smiths Road and Jerangle. John learned about the northern network s functions, responsibilities and local challenges. Brent also outlined the network of the three other Divisional Brigades in the Snowy Monaro Regional Council area. All the group captains are on the shire s Bush Fire Management Committee, which liaises with Council. BFMCs across NSW help identify assets at risk of bush fire, including communities, buildings, infrastructure, and culturally and environmentally significant locations. They then develop strategies to protect those assets. Top right: Mayor Rooney in the driver s seat of the Cat1. He checked that the lights and siren were working. Left: Keith explains the Acron firehose nozzle s function. Right: Brent shows the features of the firefighter s helmet. Left: this map on the side of the Cat1 shows the varied terrain of our district. Centre: Thanks to Shop Sally for the scones. Right: Hans Saxinger of Anembo chats with Cr Rooney, Brent, Keith and Deputy Captain Scott Teys. November training 11 am, Sunday 5 November This will be to make the trucks and equipment spick-and-span for the Spring Fair on 12 November: a short but important get-together. Many hands in the team make for quick work. M i c h e l a g o R u r a l F i r e B r i g a d e B u l l e t i n 41 O c t o b e r P a g e 2 8

Callouts 1. Bidgee Road fire, Binjura (between Cooma and Chakola).

Keith Howker and Scott Teys attended in Michelago 7B.

Photos: Keith Howker Above: Scott looks down the hill to where the fire started.

On 23 September, Keith reported on the Michelago Rural Fire Brigade Facebook page: Thanks to our crew yesterday for

3 Callouts 1. Bidgee Road fire, Binjura (between Cooma and Chakola). After being brought under control on 1 September, this grass and bush fire re-surfaced on Tuesday, 12 September. Keith Howker and Scott Teys attended in Michelago 7B. Other brigades were Cooma, Bredbo, Berridale and the State Mitigation crew. Photos: Keith Howker Above: Scott looks down the hill to where the fire started. Right: the crew cuts up a smouldering tree. 2. Hains Road fire, Kyeban (NE of Nimmitabel), 298 hectares. On 23 September, Keith reported on the Michelago Rural Fire Brigade Facebook page: Thanks to our crew yesterday for attending. They had a productive day mopping up getting containment around the fire. We have another crew going out again today. Good luck. Right: Deputy Captain John Taylor hoses hot spots. Photo: Scott Teys Above: Fire Control aerial photo of Hains Road fire M i c h e l a g o R u r a l F i r e B r i g a d e B u l l e t i n 41 O c t o b e r P a g e 3 8

3. MVA, Tinderry Road, Wednesday, 1 November: The 000 call at 9.34 am reported an overturned car.

Howker in his own vehicle. Keith stood down the ACT crew, as there was no need for them. Ambulance personnel allowed the female driver to be taken home.

Photo: Keith Howker Goodbye to Vern and Sue Drew Photos: Leanne Pattison It was au revoir, not farewell, to Vern and Sue at the Michelago Memorial Hall on 15 October.

4 3. MVA, Tinderry Road, Wednesday, 1 November: The 000 call at 9.34 am reported an overturned car. Michelago s Abby McPherson was there in five minutes, then ACT Fire & Rescue, closely followed by Michelago s Cat1 crewed by Dave Ferris, Anna Bunston and Daniel Perrin, and Snr Deputy Captain Keith Howker in his own vehicle. Keith stood down the ACT crew, as there was no need for them. Ambulance personnel allowed the female driver to be taken home. Abby did a fantastic job in calming the car s driver, helping her out of the car and continuing to comfort her. Photo: Keith Howker Goodbye to Vern and Sue Drew Photos: Leanne Pattison It was au revoir, not farewell, to Vern and Sue at the Michelago Memorial Hall on 15 October. Friends old and new gathered, with plenty of food, of course, to wish them well. Their property of over 50 years, Black Flat, has been sold and they ll build on land they have at Royalla. As the previous Brigade Bulletin detailed in an item on the Black Flat clearing sale, the Drews have a long history of community involvement around Michelago. Kerry Rooney voiced everyone s appreciation of this involvement and for long-standing friendships. Derek Giucci, Michelago Brigade Deputy Captain, and Bronwyn Gattringer, Michelago Brigade Callout Officer, gave ex-captain Vern a vintage fire-truck to play with and thanked Vern for his previous service and continuing interest in the Brigade. Janet Kelly presented Vern and Sue with a framed reproduction of an old photograph of the previous general store and community hall. It was taken by John Kelly at a 1956 wedding. M i c h e l a g o R u r a l F i r e B r i g a d e B u l l e t i n 41 O c t o b e r P a g e 4 8

John Kelly, of one of the oldest Michelago district families, recalls some of the history.

The new one was largely paid for by community donations and built with local labour.

After it closed, it was bought in the early 1960s by the Queanbeyan Leagues Club for the short-lived Michelago Football Club, which, though a lot of fun,

Left: Sue with friends, from left, Kerry Rooney, Anna Lucas and Judy Bobroff Right: Sue with friend Audrey Povey, who for many years worked with her in the

5 John Kelly, of one of the oldest Michelago district families, recalls some of the history. The present Memorial Community Hall was built on the site of the old one after that was condemned as unsafe. The new one was largely paid for by community donations and built with local labour. The old general store, which had a petrol bowser, was owned by one Hector Wyatt and was comparable in size to the present Michelago General Store. After it closed, it was bought in the early 1960s by the Queanbeyan Leagues Club for the short-lived Michelago Football Club, which, though a lot of fun, folded after about four years for lack of players. The site was then sold, the building demolished and the present two-storey house built. Left: Sue with friends, from left, Kerry Rooney, Anna Lucas and Judy Bobroff Right: Sue with friend Audrey Povey, who for many years worked with her in the Bredbo- Michelago Red Cross. Left: a clearer view of the historic photo in Main Street, now Ryrie Street, framed for Sue and Vern Drew. The tall petrol bowser is at the back, in front of the former general store. The former community hall is on the right. Photo: John Kelly M i c h e l a g o R u r a l F i r e B r i g a d e B u l l e t i n 41 O c t o b e r P a g e 5 8

Bush Firefighter course Photo from Monaro Team Facebook page 12 September, Cooma: among the new firefighters graduating with their basic qualification was Michelago s sole

3 rd from left: Matthew Kunkel 4 th from left: Peter Butler and son 2 nd from right: NSW RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzgibbon Right: Derek Giucci The lovegrass wars Berridale

District doings Berridale was fortunate with the recent rain making conditions favourable for this hazard reduction burn.

6 Bush Firefighter course Photo from Monaro Team Facebook page 12 September, Cooma: among the new firefighters graduating with their basic qualification was Michelago s sole participant, Matthew Kunkel. Deputy Captain Derek Giucci assisted assessors Peter Butler and Brent Wallis. 3 rd from left: Matthew Kunkel 4 th from left: Peter Butler and son 2 nd from right: NSW RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzgibbon Right: Derek Giucci The lovegrass wars Berridale Brigade continued the district s war against lovegrass on Sunday, 31 October. Berridale Captain Steve Knowles sent these photos. District doings Berridale was fortunate with the recent rain making conditions favourable for this hazard reduction burn /10: NAVEX Michelago didn t participate, due to the clash with our CLW final assessment. 31/10: Berridale lovegrass hazard reduction burn. 30/10: First Aid refresher course, Cooma. Abby McPherson & Dave Ferris. Instructor: Peter Butler. M i c h e l a g o R u r a l F i r e B r i g a d e B u l l e t i n 41 O c t o b e r P a g e 6 8

Michelago Spring Fair 2017 Sunday 12 November 10.00 4.00 Michelago Oval SO MUCH TO ENJOY!

7 Michelago Spring Fair 2017 Sunday 12 November Michelago Oval SO MUCH TO ENJOY! The stalls: everything you need for Christmas presents: woodwork to wine, scrap-booking to seedlings, jewellery to jerky, candles to crafts! The food: Michelago Fire Brigade s traditional, delicious BBQ, The Bush Deli s alternative delights, The Ice-Dream Van s cold, sweet treats, the P&C s home-cooked cakes, the Pony Club s fairy floss, and the essential Curbside Café Express for excellent tea and coffee. The raffle prizes, all donated: Bakerstone BBQ Pizza Box (Bunnings Tuggeranong),trailer load of firewood (Perrins Mill),introductory flight (Alpine Aviation Australia, Jindabyne), full 4-wheel alignment plus rotation and balance (Top Spec Automotive Hume), 2 X 1-month gym memberships (Fernwood Tuggeranong),7-day gym membership & facial (Fernwood),7-day gym membership & body scan (Fernwood), 2 X 1 private yoga sessions (Emily Victoria),$100 gift voucher & $60 champagne (Michelago General Store), $100 meal voucher (Rose Cottage), $75 dining card (Vikings Club), 2 X $30 vouchers (Donut King Erindale). Tickets for sale now at the Michelago Store, $2 each The music: Queanbeyan Pipe Band, Bill Lane (folk & country), Urban Drover (country rock) The activities: face painting, patting paddock, jumping castle, sheep shearing, RFS smokehouse, nerf gun arena, fire brigade trucks Profits shared equally among community groups: Michelago Region Community Association, Michelago Rural Fire Brigade, Primary School P&C, Landcare, Michelago Hall M i c h e l a g o R u r a l F i r e B r i g a d e B u l l e t i n 41 O c t o b e r P a g e 7 8

8 Bunnings & Mayfair BBQ fundraisers Thank you to Michelago Treasurer Brien Hallett for his usual meticulous accounting. The fundraiser on 17 September (see Brigade Bulletin #40) was our best yet $1, Thanks again to the volunteers who staffed the stall on this enjoyable and profitable day. The appreciation of customers for the RFS was heart-warming so many said Good on ya, You do a great job and Thanks for what you do, and they gave donations, too. Previous profits of fundraiser barbecues the last five years average: $1, Mayfair 2012 $1, Mayfair 2013 $1, Mayfair 2014 $ Bunnings BBQ Jan 2015 $1, Mayfair 2015 $1, Mayfair 2016 $ Bunnings BBQ Mar 2016 $1, Bunnings BBQ Sept 2016 $1, No prizes for spotting which event scored a bad weather day. The Committee Captain: Brent Wallis ( ) Senior Deputy Captain: Keith Howker ( ) Deputy Captains: Derek Giucci, Alex Milovanovic, John Taylor, Scott Teys Callout Officers: Bronwyn Gattringer, Abby McPherson Catering Officers: Lauren Wallis, Kylie Kenyon, Samantha Tupper RFSA Rep: Keith Howker Training Officers: Aldo Giucci, Peter Butler ( ), Rob Smith Equipment Officers: Derek Giucci, Dave Ferris, Tim Haines Engine Keepers: Steve Haines, Tim Haines Welfare Officer (female): Bronwyn Gattringer Welfare Officer (male): Steve Haines WHS Officer: Aldo Giucci Permit Officers: Brent Wallis, Keith Howker, Derek Giucci President: Abby McPherson Treasurer: Brien Hallett Vice President: Bronwyn Gattringer Secretary: Leanne Pattison Active-member representative: Abby McPherson Executive Committee Officers: Captain, Snr Deputy Captain, Deputy Captain 1, President, Treasurer, Secretary, Vice President, Active-member representative Auditor: Dave Bunston Editor: Leanne Pattison / LPatt@internode.on.net Disclaimer: views expressed or implied in this Brigade Bulletin are not necessarily those of the MRFB Committee, wider Brigade membership or the RFS. Original articles and photographs: Copyright authors and photographers and the Michelago Rural Fire Brigade Fire Cooma Monaro Fire Control / Emergency 000 FIRE INFO: or download the app Fires Near Me OFFICIAL FIRE SEASON 1 OCTOBER 31 MARCH M i c h e l a g o R u r a l F i r e B r i g a d e B u l l e t i n 41 O c t o b e r P a g e 8 8

~THE BRIGADE BULLETIN~

~THE BRIGADE BULLETIN~ No. 15, 25 March, 2015 An occasional newsletter from the Michelago Rural Fire Brigade Two callouts; next training; VFFA membership application & The volunteer firefighter ; gas station