THE Knox Fire Brigades Group’s Torchlight Parade has been hailed as a success, with 18 Victorian brigades attending along with a large number of community members.
Ferntree Gully Fire Brigade member and organiser Graham Crichton said the event, which was held last Saturday evening, went remarkably well.
“It was well represented by the community,” he said.
“There were lots of people at Station Street lined up waiting for the march off and big crowds at the oval where the Knox Festival was held.”
Among those who attended included CFA chief officer Euan Ferguson and fire services commissioner Craig Lapsley, as well as many brigades from the hills.
Mr Crichton said there were many highlights on the night.
“We had three bands performing, but initially we had a lone piper playing Amazing Grace with a lone torch bearer and the other bands joined in,” he said.
“It was one of those moments that we considered a big highlight.
“The weather was also terrific, it was a magnificent night.”
Despite its success, the night wasn’t without its hitches. About two hours prior to the commencement of the march at 8.30pm, firefighters from Ferntree Gully, Upper Ferntree Gully, Rowville, Bayswater and Scoresby were called to a large two-storey house fire in Lysterfield.
“The brigades were all able to march, probably with diminished members, but it was a big surprise to us all that it happened at such a short time before the march to start off,” Mr Crichton said.
“It worked out alright in the end.”
The Diamond Creek Fire Brigade was the winner of the march, followed by The Basin and Berwick.
Hills brigades from Selby and Clematis were highly commended.
