By Melissa Meehan
THEY risked their lives to protect us during Victoria’s worst bushfires and now Cardinia residents have the opportunity to thank them.
Instead of holding an annual mayoral ball, Cardinia mayor Bill Pearson has decided to hold a special Thank You Firies ceremony and service on Sunday at the Lakeside Amphitheatre from 2pm.
“I felt that the fires, which lasted for four weeks, were very traumatic for everyone,” Cr Pearson said.
“I went to a lot of the community CFA meetings and realise how important it was to the community.
“They did a marvellous job.”
A Bunyip North resident himself, Cr Pearson said he saw the efforts of the firefighters first hand.
“The fires came within three kilometres of where I live,” he said. “The wind change saved us, but others weren’t so lucky.”
Cr Pearson said he often saw young boys and girls with bags under their eyes and who smelt like smoke at the community meetings.
“They were like that for four weeks,” he said.
“That’s why I feel it’s important that we say thank you.”
The day will consist of a short church service beginning at 2.15pm, which will give residents the opportunity to mourn and reflect on lives lost and express solitude with those who lost their homes and other property.
Those participating in the service include Sister Christina Scannell from St Patrick’s Catholic Church, Pastor Carl Sepsey from Pakenham Christian Church, Pastor Darryl Kilker from Pakenham Baptist Church, Reverend Dick Johnson from the Uniting Church, Reverend Hilary Roath and Sam Premarajah from St James Anglican Church, Captain Phil Shelton from the Salvation Army, Pastor Don Press from Cardinia Christian Centre and Pastor Toouta Alaohii from the Victory Worship Centre.
Reverend Roath said the ministries within Cardinia were pleased to accept Cr Pearson’s invitation to participate in the event.
She said it gave them a chance to thank the brigades for their efforts, to thank God and pray for healing within the community.
After the service 20 local brigades will be honoured for their contribution to the community.
“Cardinia has the largest group of CFA people in Gippsland,” Cr Pearson said.
“There are over 600 volunteers and each of them will be honoured.”
Medals for each volunteer will be presented to a representative of each brigade and the money raised will be handed over.
“We were able to raise money for the local CFAs,” Cr Pearson said.
“There was a lot of support from local businesses, especially the Bendigo Community Bank.”
A pictorial tribute to the brigades and Cardinia’s volunteers will be played on a big screen set up at the Lakeside Amphitheatre, with the help of Geoff Peterkin from Pakart.
Once the formal part of the day is over families are invited to celebrate the firefighting efforts with a sausage sizzle, jumping castle and go-karts, face painting and the Great Aussie Bush Show.
“We want to invite friends and families of the firies and everyone who wants to say thanks,” Cr Pearson said.
The event is being supported by the Cardinia Foundation, the Bendigo Community Banks at Lang Lang and Kooweerup, Parklea, Safeway, Pakenham Racing Club, the Pakenham-Berwick Gazette, Pakart and the State Government.
