VESEP is an annual Victorian Government grants program that provides funding to emergency service volunteer groups to purchase equipment, vehicles, appliances and facility improvements.
For the Yarroweyah brigade, the upgrades are long overdue and desperately needed, with the station’s facilities last renovated in the early 1990s.
Brigade captain Ross Brady said the grant would fund renovations to the station's change rooms, toilets, showers, break room and storage area.
“It will give us somewhere to hang our hats and a place to have a wash, which is going to be great,” he said.
The funding comes amid an outpouring of community support following the January fires.
Brigade member Leigh Hodgson said they had been “pleasantly overwhelmed” by donations and expressions of interest from people wanting to volunteer.
Among the contributions were two separate $500 donations from the Cobram River Rockers dance club.
“To see the community and people in Melbourne dip into their pockets and support us when it’s a hard time for everyone with the cost of living, has been quite humbling and very much appreciated,” Mr Hodgson said.
The Yarroweyah Fire Brigade has recently secured a grant of $150,000 to upgrade its facilities.
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“We'll definitely put it towards the station upgrade, but it also gives us the opportunity to upgrade some of our equipment here as well, which is good.”
Mr Brady said the brigade was always looking for new members, and it had been encouraging to see more people reaching out.
“It's nice to see that the community want to get involved and keep the brigade going strong,” he said.
“We're the second-busiest brigade in District 22 as a support brigade. Last year we attended 133 fires, which is quite a few for a small brigade like us.
“Succession is a big thing and the community around here rely on brigades like us, alongside Strathmerton and Cobram, to take care of them.
“The more people we can get on board, the more stable the future of the brigade is.”
Mr Hodgson said a common misconception about volunteering was that people needed a lot of spare time to do it.
“The initial training can be a little bit daunting as there’s a fair bit involved, but once you’re in whatever time people can give is gratefully accepted,” he said.
“CFA brigades are very family-friendly, sometimes I bring my kids down here, and they help wash the fire truck on a weekend.”
Anyone interested in becoming a member can contact the brigade through its Facebook page.
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