torchlight a highlight

Last night the family and I went to the Knox Festival in Ferntree Gully. It’s an event we have been going to for more years than I can remember. This year’s festival was special as it included a Torchlight Parade by members of the CFA. The torchlight parade is based on tradition and sees CFA members from different brigades march through the streets with kerosene lamps.

It gave festival goers a chance to give thanks to the brigades, the parade route, starting at the Ferntree Gully CFA and finishing at the festival, was lined with people clapping and cheering the brigades as they marched past.

It was great to see some of our local brigades marching as well and I couldn’t help but give a bit of a bigger cheer for Selby, Belgrave and Belgrave Heights & South CFA brigades.

In speaking to CFA members after the parade, their commitment to helping Victorians was overwhelming, they have sacrificed much personal time and work time (and wages) to continue fighting the fires still burning across the Yarra Ranges. I cannot speak highly enough of their efforts (and all the emergency services, shire staff and volunteers) in assisting our community through this terrible time.

Summer is over, but the danger of fire still looms large, this Tuesday (3rd March) please make sure you activate your fire plan and make sure you’re realistic about your plan too. For more info visit the CFA’s Leave or Stay?