RFBAQ
Maryvale Rural Fire Brigade in the Central zone is situated 20 klms north-west of Yeppoon, covering a diverse area of orchards, forestry, farming and smaller acreages. Recently the brigade engaged local artist Linda Weedon to paint a mural on the Admin/Training shed at the station. This mural depicts a 3-phase timeline of progress for the brigade which started in 1952 when a handful of pioneering locals met under a gum tree nearby to discuss area fire plans. This was followed in 1993 with the purchase of a fully equipped ex-forestry Toyota trayback vehicle. Then in 2007 as a result of grants and fund raising the current 51 Izuzu unit was acquired.
The first 7.5 x 12 shed was built in 2001 after fund raising and grant submissions, and was then named after our member Ron Gill who had tirelessly contributed to making this happen. Following the catastrophic Cobraball fire in 2019 when the area became isolated due to a single access road this smaller shed became a Sector Command Post and a Community Hub which facilitated all communications, planning, food and assistance while our fire fighters were blocking one of the fire fronts in the area. In the following debrief sessions it was identified that this shed was now too small so over the next couple of years the members through determined fund raising and grant applications were able to erect a new 16 x 9 equipment shed and were then able to renovate the original into a comfortable training/office/kitchen/bathroom centre for the community which was completed in 2021.
Maryvale has approximately 48 members and like all other brigades is struggling with the ongoing problem of attracting new volunteers. Personal time constraints, departmental requirements and changing demographics are making this difficult. By having an attractive and comfortable centre in the area we hope that it will show the pride our current members have in the brigade and hopefully attract new volunteers to step up.
Interested in joining Maryvale RFB? – contact Margaret on 0400 697966
