Hon. Shelley Payne MLC and Co-Coach of Esperance Fire Brigade Brian Willoughby. Photo: supplied.
An amount of $50,000 has been promised to the indefatigable Esperance Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service by the Cook Labor government if it wins the election.
The funds are to help to enhance training facilities, preserve its history, and upgrade infrastructure to support both junior and senior firefighters.
The buildings and training facility upgrades, include the Brian Willoughby Training Track.
The promised funding will also assist in establishing a ‘Hall of Fame’ museum to honour the brigade’s decades of dedicated service and Esperance’s achievements in junior and senior firefighter championships.
Funds earmarked for the museum are forupgraded display cabinets to showcase historical fire brigade uniforms and equipment, and showcases for memorabilia, photographs, awards and antiques.
It also needs to cover shelving and brackets to exhibit brigade trophies, such as those from Esperance’s successes in junior and senior firefighter competitions.
Brad Willis, who is the Labor candidate for Roe in the next election, stressed that Esperance Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service (EVFRS) has spent decades protecting the lives, homes, and properties of the community, and that each volunteer puts “their own health and life at risk while doing so.”
Mr Willis said his party was “proud to commit $50,000 to this vital service, not only for improvements to its infrastructure, but to assist in the celebration and commemoration of its past and achievements.”
Esperance VFRS Co-Coach Brian Willoughby said, “it’s fantastic to see both the junior and senior fire brigades being recognised for their contributions to Esperance and the wider firefighting community.
“Our brigade has a long and proud history, and this funding will not only preserve our legacy through the museum but also enhance the training opportunities for the next generation of firefighters,” Mr Willoughby said.
“These improvements will ensure that both junior and senior competitions have the best facilities to continue their training and represent Esperance in competitions, such as Kambalda and Southern Cross.”
Mr Willoughby added that he was very happy to see this funding in the brigade’s future, and that “it is a great step forward for our volunteers and the community.”
