One for the history buffs
August 30 - September 5, 2023
By RYAN MALCOLM
LOCAL fire brigades are working harder to chronicle their experiences, in the wake of the release of a book detailing up to 150 years of the Wangaratta Fire Brigades’ Group history. ‘Make Tankers Ten – A History of the Wangaratta Fire Brigades’ Group’ was officially launched in March, the culmination of more than a decade of research and collaboration by local CFA stalwarts David Salau, Graham Colson, Neil Brock and Jim Buchan. Attended by the state’s most senior CFA official, chief officer Jason Heffernan, the launch kick-started a frenzy of sales, with an estimated 450 copies flying off the shelves at Edgar’s Books and News, Garry Nash and Co and Milawa Post Office. In the lead-up to Father’s Day, Mr Salau reflected on the experience, which involved chronicling individual stories from the group’s 16 brigades and highlighting the ‘fathers of the group’ who influenced the formation of the current Victorian fire service. “It’s 150 years of volunteer service this year – 1873 was the first formal fire brigade established – that was Wangaratta – it’s a bit of a significant year,” he said.
◆ SNAPSHOT OF HISTORY: Contributor Graeme Norman and Make Tankers Ten co-author Jim Buchan played a key role in chronicling the stories of local brigades. PHOTO: Kurt Hickling
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BOOK NOOK with SIMONE
YOUR HEALTH TH
TASTY FOOD
TOOLL TALK
GONE FISHING
with ROXY
LENTIL WALNUT SALAD
with DAVID
with ROBBIE
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