AROUND 100 retired, former and serving Casterton Fire Brigade Member, friends and families, have witnessed a significant event in local history, with the opening of Casterton’s fourth fire station.

Construction on the state-of-the art station was completed in February, 2020, the project funded to the tune of $2.15 million from the State Government and a massive local fundraising effort, which chipped in more than $150,000.

While the brigade has made good use of the new facility, the calls for help a regular occurrence, Covid-19 lockdowns and rules prevented its official presentation to the community, until the weekend.

With its history dating back to the 1880s, Casterton Fire Brigade knew two previous homes prior to the one most familiar to the community today, built in 1930, but demolished to make way for the new facility.

The new station features four drive-through motor-room bays, a large brigade meeting room and separate turn-out rooms and change facilities for men and women.

Other features include equipment storage areas and dedicated Breathing Apparatus (BA) cleaning facilities.

Western Victoria MP, Jacinta Ermacora and CFA Chief Officer, Jason Heffernan, joined brigade members and dignitaries to celebrate the special occasion.

Ms Ermacorma, who is a former volunteer firefighter in the south-west region said she was privileged as the new member in the region, to be asked to carry out the official opening and had plenty of questions for casterton brigade captain, Lee Condon, when touring the new station.

“We had a new station built when I was a volunteer and that was state of the art then … this is just magnificent,” she said.

Casterton volunteer and former Captain Peter White said the new station was welcomed by the brigade’s 70-strong membership and congratulated his brigade colleagues, in particular Glenn and Wendy Kerr, Brian Wombwell and Jim Condon, who had worked on the building committee to determine the best plan for the new station’s design and fit-out.

“There were lots of good memories at the old station, but we outgrew that building and we’re looking forward to making new memories at the new station,” Peter said.

“The additional space means we have room for all of our trucks, and we are able to safely get in and out when responding to call-outs.

“I’d like to thank our brigade members and the community who’ve worked very hard over a number of years to see this project through to completion.”

Chief Officer Heffernan said it was fantastic to open the new facility now officially for the fire brigade and local community.

“This new station is an asset to the Casterton Fire Brigade, allowing our volunteers to continue doing what they do best – protecting lives and property,” said CO Heffernan.

“I would like to thank the brigade for their invaluable service to their local community and wider Casterton area.”