A century of service for Nyah Nyah West

More than 70 community members attended the anniversary event on Sunday, 27 April to thank volunteers for their dedication.  

Nyah Nyah West Fire Brigade Captain Phillip Maher said he is very proud to have led the brigade through this significant milestone.  

“The brigade has been such an important part of the town since 1925, and we hope to see it remain that way for the next 100,” Phillip said.  

Before amalgamating as a single brigade in July 2012 when it was decided there would no longer be urban and rural fire brigades within the CFA, previously, the brigade was made up of the Nyah West Urban Fire Brigade and the Nyah Rural Fire Brigade. 

Following in his father’s footsteps, Phillip has dedicated thirty years to the brigade and is now in his fifth year of captaincy. Over this time, Phillip has witnessed the restructure firsthand, alongside technological advancements and improvements that have shaped the brigade into what it is today.  

“With both brigades working closely together previously out of the same building, it was a fairly smooth transition”, Phillip said.  

“It’s incredible to see how far we have come from what was two small brigades into now one strong, united team.”  

The brigade has seen significant fleet and uniform upgrades over the years.  

“We are very privileged to have a modern firefighting fleet, with diesel-powered trucks and a four-wheel drive vehicle. They are a bit different from the trucks we used back in the day,” Phillip said. 

“When I started, we would turn up in our workwear or whatever was on the truck. Now, we’ve got appropriate uniforms, structural gear and helmets.”  

The brigade has responded to several significant fires over their 100 years of dedication. 

“From the 1983 Ash Wednesday fires to the 2003 Victorian Alpine bushfires, 2019/2020 bush fires and more recently the Grampians and Little Desert fires, our crews have stepped in to help,” Phillip said. “We are really proud to still be here serving the community one hundred years later. It’s a credit to every member, past and present, who has worn the uniform and stood up for the community.”  

As Nyah Nyah West Fire Brigade enters its second century, Phillip hopes to see recruitment numbers and local engagement continue to rise.  

“Everybody is always welcome, and no contribution is too small.”