The Mount Forbes Rural Fire Brigade: a critical part of Willowbank Raceway

The Mount Forbes Rural Fire Brigade and Willowbank Raceway have enjoyed a close relationship for years, with the brigade providing fire support for test and tunes and race events as well as attending various functions at the Raceway.

Providing a perfect illustration of the relationship is the brigade’s beautiful mural – featuring the Raceway, as well as local wildlife – painted by the Kids of FOCAL in November of 2008.

“FOCAL – Friends of Challinor Aid League – supports people with disabilities and their families and was established in Ipswich in 1974,” said Brigade Crew Leader and Volunteer Community Educator, David Clarke.

“Brigade members Brian and Sue Ward have been involved with the organisation for a number of years, and started up an arts program for the young kids. As part of that program, the kids painted something on our wall and when asked what we would like, we of course said a drag car given our involvement with the drag, as well as wildlife as we all love animals and wildlife carers are an important part of our brigade.

“The kids did a great job - we are all very proud of the mural, and are keen to show anyone who comes to visit.”

When they aren’t working hard at the Raceway or rescuing wildlife, the Brigade has a wide array of other duties keeping them busy.

“As a direct result of our relationship with the Raceway we have been able to purchase items such as a new tanker, a support vehicle and various equipment to help us be ready for the fire season,” said Clarke.

“We do a lot of things outside of the Raceway, from responding to various types of call-outs including bush fires, car fires and structure fires.

“We also deal with not only initial response but also recovery work as well – such as that seen during the 2011 and 2013 floods.

“In addition we are often out and about in our community with our Volunteer Community Educators visiting schools and day cars, and at Christmas we travel the street with Santa in the tanker decked out with decorates, lights and music handing out lollies and bushfire awareness packs to the kids and parents.

“Fire awareness is a big part of our business, so we ask everyone to be vigilant – especially as we approach the upcoming fire season. To be prepared, members of the community can visit the Rural fires websites for Bushfire Survival Plans.”

The brigade is always looking for new members, and invites interested parties to come along and visit them at Champions Way.