An impressive fundraiser in support of the Whittlesea Fire Brigade was held earlier this month, with Whittlesea local Leeanne Quintin championing the event.
When the Whittlesea Bowling Club (WBC) board member heard that the local brigade was in dire need of financial support, she decided to create a new revenue stream for the volunteer organisation based around a corporate-style lawn bowls fundraiser.
“When I heard that the CFA were struggling, and that Eden Park [CFA] doesn’t even have a toilet, I went home, and I thought, ‘You know what? I reckon we could do it like the ‘Make-A-Wish [Foundation]’ but [instead] call it Great Bowls of Fire,” she said.
Ms Quintin harnessed support from WBC President Paul Lamont, the 101 Church Group Board Chairperson, and Whittlesea Fire Brigade Captain Richard Gardiner to run the event.
The fun started at 8.30am with a BBQ breakfast, a tournament briefing, and warm-up exercises prescribed by a clinician from Whittlesea Physiotherapy and Clinical Pilates.
HARMONIOUS TEAM WORK: Whittlesea Bowling Club members smile for a photo after a strong team effort.
Fundraiser coordinator Jordyn Burleigh scheduled 26 teams across 13 bowling rinks. Several teams consisted of first-timers, while some had a seasoned bowler or two in their midst.
In between the bowling action, Whittlesea brigade members sold raffle tickets until a two-course lunch provided a welcome respite from the heat for over 100 guests, including Member for McEwen Rob Mitchell and Member for Yan Yean Lauren Kathage.
The event finished around 4pm after the raffle prizes were drawn, and the hammer sounded on a silent auction featuring a selection of sports memorabilia.
Successful teams on the day included the Silly Old Buggers, the Plum Rollers, and the Matador Bulls, with the event raising an incredible $20,000 for the local brigade.
A DAY ON THE GREEN: Active CFA member Angus Paxton bowls for the Whittlesea Hardware Store – Sparky4Hire team against the Lightning Bolts.
SYNTHETIC DELIVERY: Joel Hennessy bowled for the First Timers against the Whittlesea Rotary 2 team. The final score was in favour of the seasoned bowlers, 25-4.
The Whittlesea Fire Brigade has been 100 per cent volunteer-led since 1926, and their new station is already 14 years old. The small allowance allocated to them from the government for stationery and minor purchases amounts to around $18,000 annually.
District brigades and Victoria Police use the station for training, while many community groups and organisations rent out the facilities, which are unfortunately not even large enough for the average family.
Mr Gardiner said they would use the funds to increase their IT capacity.
“There’s a lot of things we can do that increase its benefit both to our members and the community,” he said.
“We are looking to do a double investment really—to not only increase the IT infrastructure for our operational and training needs, but also to set up our station in a way that makes it useable and accessible for our members who work … remotely.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for us. We have been blown away by the generosity, specifically from the WBC and 101 Church, but also from the wider community, and those that have put in teams, and those who have donated goods and other services.
“It’s phenomenal.”
Whittlesea Fire Brigade member Danny Cobb hoped to work with the WBC on another Great Bowls of Fire event as it helped to remind the community about fire risks over summer, while giving brigade members a social day out together.
“We are heading into an awful summer by the looks of things, and this is a great way for us to come together [and] thank our community— and then they can see what we can do for them as the year unfolds,” he said.
Mr Gardiner said the event was a wonderful opportunity for the brigade, with Ms Quintin inviting locals who had not yet offered their support to give back when possible.
“Please support the locals who have supported us,” she said.
“The CFA desperately need your support for next year.”
