THEY have more than 350 years of combined fire brigade experience between them and they are ready to roll out the welcome mat.
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These seven veteran volunteers from CFA stations across Bendigo have been working for the past 12 months to prepare for the 132nd Victorian State Urban Fire Brigade Championships.
Up to 3000 competitors, officials and their families will descend on Bendigo over the Labour Day weekend for the annual test of discipline and firemanship.
And they’ll have organising committee members including Barry and Len Doye, Les Rodda, Keith Gilbee, Lawrie Boston, Laurie Anderson and Ted Carruthers to thank for making the event run smoothly.
The men hold a working bee at the running track near Weeroona Oval every Wednesday morning to carry out maintenance and repairs, finalise programs and ensure everything is up to scratch.
Their regular meetings have become a healthy social outlet for the mostly retired tradesmen, who paint, polish, plan and problem solve.
“Any problem anyone comes up with, we have solved by the time the day’s over,” said Bendigo CFA volunteer Lawrie Anderson over a morning cuppa. “My wife calls it all a fire brigade version of Men’s Shed.”
Golden Square volunteer Barry Doye said the sporting championship was a great breeding ground for future leaders, with emergency services commissioner Craig Lapsley running for Bendigo as a junior brigade member.
This is the 29th time Bendigo has hosted the annual carnival and the Kangaroo Flat brigade is aiming for three consecutive aggregate trophy wins.
They face strong competition in A-section from Maryvale, Wendouree and Western Australian teams Harvey and Mandurah. Eaglehawk and Bendigo are also tipped to be competitive.
Individually, Kangaroo Flat member Jackson Dargaville will defend the ladder race title he has held since 2011.
Competition starts at 8.30am on March 7 with the Echelon Review military-style march, followed by a discipline parade and three days of events testing firefighting-related skills.
A torchlight procession on Saturday from 8.30pm starts in McLaren Street and ends in Hopetoun Street.
Entry is free all weekend and spectators are welcome.