By Parker McKenzie
As part of a project honouring past life members and their contributions, Ferntree Gully CFA has recently completed work on its Memorial Garden outside the its headquarters on The Avenue.
Brigade Captain Seamus Smith said the idea behind the garden is for the public and family members of life members to have a place to pay their respects to those who have contributed to the success of the brigade.
“We had a couple of Brigade life members and ex-captains pass pretty close in time to each other and the Brigade started talking about it,” he said.
“I thought a lot last year about how we’re going to remember and respectfully remember the legacies and service of those members and other important members of the Brigade for the future.”
Ferntree Gully CFA was founded in 1942 — albeit with a history of firefighting in the township dating back to 1926 — and has been led by 17 different Captains.
Mr Smith said the feedback from families of the life members has been extremely positive.
“The reality is that the Brigade wouldn’t be what it is without that service. Life members of the brigade have committed more than 20 years of service to the Ferntree Gully community,” he said.
“We are also recognising current serving members if we happen to have any who unfortunately die in active service, hopefully we don’t have to lay any of those plaques in memory.”
The garden also includes other features including a historic bell first purchased and installed in 1926 by the Fern Tree Gully Bush Fire Brigade for six pounds after devastating bushfires in Victoria.
Mr Smith said he’d like to thank Nigel from Form Boss, who has donated the materials needed for not only the Memorial Garden but other features outside the Brigade’s building too.
“It’s an extension of the Bushfire Prone Area fire-safe guard with the special rocks and the plaques,” he said.
“They previously donated stuff to us as well, so they’ve come to the party again and donated.”
Ferntree Gully CFA Fire Station is located at 5/7 The Avenue, Ferntree Gully.
