By KATHRYN BERMINGHAM
RED and white balloons adorned the Pakenham Golf Club at the Nar Nar Goon Fire Brigade’s 70th anniversary dinner last week.
Members shared memories over dinner before Judy Collins was invited to cut the birthday cake. Judy lost her brother Eddie Lowen in the Ash Wednesday fire and her husband, Ray, was secretary for 14 years.
CFA Operations Manager Mike Owen spoke on behalf of the organisation, and two major awards were presented to members Matt Grace and Geoff Bramley who are celebrating 10 and 35 years of service respectively.
The Nar Nar Goon fire brigade was officially established on 28 September 1945, following the advice of a royal commission into the Black Friday bushfires that a Country Fire Authority be established.
Although the brigade has just 29 members, they are able to attend 280 calls every year and have joined with the Pakenham SES to form the Pakenham Road Rescue Crew.
Secretary Adam Rollings said the brigade was celebrating 70 years of service to the local and wider community.
“We pride ourselves on being a good local brigade with a main job of getting a truck on the road,” he said.
“With only 29 members we are a small brigade compared to some, but we’re, approachable, friendly and very supportive of the community.”
