**SCROLL DOWN FOR A FULL LIST OF SUCCESSFUL VESEP GRANTS**
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After years of fundraising, the reality of a new salvage vehicle is finally in sight for Golden Square firefighters.
The Country Fire Authority brigade has been raising money to replace the ageing salvage and rehabilitation vehicle for a number of years and thanks to the announcement of a state government grant, it is now a reality.
The brigade will use about $70,000 of its own funds to purchase the more than $220,000 vehicle, along with $155,460 from the state government’s Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program.
Golden Square captain Matt Atkins said the new vehicle would make responding to incidents a lot easier.
“This is probably five years in the making,” he said.
“It's a great announcement.”
The brigade’s current salvage vehicle is the only one of its kind in the region, responding to incidents such as the flooding at Girton Grammar last week, and fires where firefighters are in need of its cooling chairs.
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Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards said the 24-year-old vehicle was in need of replacement.
“The Golden Square brigade has been waiting for this announcement for some time,” she said.
“We’re really excited to be able to support the Golden Square CFA brigade to replace this old vehicle.”
The brigade was one of about 300 volunteer services across the state to receive funding through program, including many central Victorian CFA and State Emergency Service units.
Heathcote and Guildford CFA brigades have both been successful in their applications for $310,000 grants for vehicles; along with grants of $170,000 and $123,833 for the Bamawm Extension and Junortoun brigades, respectively.
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The Bendigo SES unit will receive $100,000 for a new rescue truck and both Marong and Wycheproof will receive $28,453 for new trailers.
Other successful grant applications in central Victoria include:
CFA BRIGADES
- Axe Creek: Minor facilities - $24,416
- Bamawm Extension: Vehicles and appliances - $170,000
- Bridgewater: Minor facilities - $14,377
- Campbells Creek: Minor facilities - $11,600
- Castlemaine: Vehicles and appliances - $46,667
- Colbinabbin: Minor facilities - $12,909
- Daylesford: Vehicles and appliances - $46,667
- Donald: Operational equipment - $7667
- Fortuna: Vehicles and appliances - $26,000
- Golden Square: Vehicles and appliances - $155,460
- Guildford: Vehicles and appliances - $310,000
- Heathcote: Vehicles and appliances - $310,000
- Inglewood: Vehicles and appliances - $13,480
- Junortoun: Vehicles and appliances - $123,833
- Kerang: Vehicles and appliances - $29,769
- Lalbert: Minor facilities - $1333
- Langley-Barfold: Minor facilities - $1200
- Leitchville: Minor facilities - $2640
- Oscar 1 Emergency Response: Operational equipment - $4500
- Quambatook: Minor facilities - $2200
- Romsey: Vehicles and appliances - $29,160
- Wedderburn: Vehicles and appliances - $32,121
- Wycheproof: Operational equipment - $3095
SES UNITS
- Bendigo: Medium rescue truck - $100,000
- Birchip: Building refurbishment - $23,960
- Echuca: Equipment - $1263
- Gisborne: Equipment - $4455
- Marong: Trailer - $28,453
- Wycheproof: Trailer - $28,453