Cash bowls in to fire brigade

Pictured, from left, are Mike Gill (Wednesday bowls organiser), Sally Rutzou (Brigade Auxiliary President), Peter Edyvane (Executive Manager of Monbulk Fire Brigade), Nicole Gathercole (Brigade Communications Officer) and Brian Rutzou (brigade member). 165596_01

By Peter Douglas

Monbulk bowlers recently enjoyed a sausage sizzle and then competed in a Wednesday social bowls event.
And all the money raised went to the Monbulk Fire Brigade.
Mike Gill, who organises the Wednesday bowls competition, thanked the bowlers for their contributions and handed over the giant-sized cheque with some appreciative words to the fire brigade officers.
“Volunteers at Monbulk Fire Brigade are dedicated members who make endless contributions to support our community before, during and after disasters,” he said.
“At this time of the year, we are very much aware that we are in a high-risk fire area and we rely on our local firefighting volunteers.
“But then, there’s all the other jobs they do, like attending car accidents and rope rescues, that go on all year round.
“And we mustn’t forget that the training for the brigade members never stops.
“This money we raised, with a sausage sizzle and bowls competition, is going to a good cause and is a way for the bowlers to say thankyou to the fire brigade volunteers.”
Sally Rutzou, Treasurer of Monbulk Fire Brigade, accepted the cheque on behalf of the brigade, and thanked the bowlers for again giving their support.
“It’s really great to see the bowlers return the commitment to our local community by this fund-raising effort,” she said.
“This money will provide more resources for our emergency volunteer services.”
The Executive Manager of Monbulk Fire Brigade, Peter Edyvane, then invited the bowlers to an open night down at the fire brigade, where the bowlers, friends and families can watch the brigade officers go through their tricks.
“You can watch our brigade officers chop a car apart with the jaws of life, learn about our emergency gear and even get your photo taken in the fire truck,” he said.