Competition at Midlands Cup

The event was held on a beautiful spring Sunday morning in the picturesque town of Gordon, near Ballarat.

This event is for junior members from brigades in CFA’s District 15 area where the juniors from each of the competing brigades ply their skills and knowledge with fire drill activities that they have been training and practising for throughout the year.  The events include Fog Step Up, Extinguishers, Hydrants, Mapping, Communications, Running Edge, Search and Rescue, Entrapment, Rake Hoe, and First Aid.   

Lin Lawson, Event Coordinator and Gordon Junior Leader together with District 15 Junior Brigade Committee representatives from BacchusMarsh, Ballan, Ballarat, Elaine, Gordon (Host Brigade), Greendale, and Smythesdale organised the once again successful event.

All junior brigades’ teams included a team leader that was responsible for providing leadership, direction and encouragement to all the crews in each of the events.   All events were judged and expertly explained how well each team went after their event with the various components i.e. communication, use of equipment, knowledge of correct practices etc. 

Visitors to the event also included Catherine King, MP Federal Member for Ballarat, Geoff Howard, MLA for Ballarat East and Mooroolbool Shire Councillors Tom Sullivan (West Moorabool Ward) and  Pat Toohey (Woodlands Ward).  Junior Leader Lin Lawson instigated the event 5 years ago in conjunction with the District Headquarters in order to have the juniors network, share and practice their fire training activities, was also successful in obtaining funding/grants from the Mooroolbool Shire Council and the Ballarat Law Courts for this year’s events.  The funding paid for catering, medallions, certificates, equipment for use on the day etc. and show bags etc.  

Junior Members from the 2012 winning brigade Ballan proudly received the Midlands Cup at a presentation ceremony after the day’s events.   All junior members received a medallion for their participation in the events, along with a show bag of goodies. 

Organisation for the 2013 Midlands Cup will commence in February next year and will be hosted by another competing brigade.

Not only were the juniors and leaders winners on the day, but so was CFA.  I was most impressed with the knowledge that these young members have obtained and used during the events that they participated in and I am sure that this will have enormous benefits for not only them now, but for when they enter the senior ranks of their brigade.

It was a great fun day and congratulations to all the Brigades involved for their efforts in organising and competing in this important annual fire brigade event for our young members.