By Derek Schlennstedt
For 100 years, the Upwey CFA has been serving the hills community.
For 50 of those, Peter Hall was there.
From saving cats stuck up trees, responding to fires on Ash Wednesday, and even setting up a defensive drivers program for young drivers, Mr Hall has been an enduring member of the brigade and hills community.
Earlier this year and he decided to hang up the overalls and become a non-operational member.
“It’s been interesting…when I joined initially, I was going to put in 12 months,” he said.
“This was in my early twenties, I thought I’d do a bit for the community…here I am 50 years later.
“In those days, if there was a pair of overalls hanging on the peg that fitted you and no one else was using them, you’d put them on and jump on the truck and that was it and you didn’t know where you were going.
“I’ve got to the stage now where I’m getting a bit long in the tooth…I don’t think I’d be able to get up into a truck anymore.”
He joined the brigade in 1967, but was only officially recognised as a member in 1968.
Reflecting on the many memorable moments and close bonds formed he said he had made some fantastic friends.
“The camaraderie is second to none,” he said.
