All the way from WA to the Champs

The team from Harvey made a three-day journey to compete at Champs

 

From a small town off the beaten track, between Perth and Bunbury, the Harvey Fire Brigade may seem like an unusual entrant at the CFA/VFBV Firefighter Championships.

 

Throw in a three-day, 3,300 kilometre journey by road across the Nullarbor, in their converted bus with its makeshift double beds, and you start to wonder why it’s worth the effort.

Former Harvey team coach and long-time support team member Gordon Whitwell sums it up. There’s nothing like Victoria’s State Champs and they wouldn’t miss it for the world.

Gordon is part of Harvey’s four-member support team who made the trek on the old bus. The seven competitors had the luxury of flying into Victoria.

Gordon has been a regular presence at the Champs since 1989, including 16 years in a row.

Historically, West Australian and Victorian volunteer teams have also had a fierce rivalry, sending various teams between the two states to compete in each other’s Firefighters Champs.

That’s until COVID hit.

After two years, and a hard border keeping teams in WA and locking them out of Victoria, the wait has been worth it.

Gordon says seeing the combined 2022 Victorian Championships - coupled with the marquee promoting training, infrastructure and other innovations for volunteers has taken it to a whole new level.

“I love it and I love this concept. I haven’t seen this before with the rural and seniors all in one. I think it’s magnificent,” Gordon said.

Like many of Victoria’s brigades, Harvey Fire Brigade relies on its small town (population 6,000-7,000) to rally behind them every year to raise the funds to get the team to Victoria every year.

Some years are harder than others, but the residents are incredibly supportive of their brigade.

Gordon thinks that there will be a lot more enthusiasm once he spreads the word about what he’s seen at the 2022 Victorian Championships.

 

Submitted by	CFA News