Melton’s team of junior-firefighters battled it out against 38 teams and came out on top at the State Firefighter Urban Junior Championships on March 16 and 17.
The event, run by the CFA in partnership with Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria (VFBV), sees teams compete in events based on practical fire fighting activities, with the focus on physical fitness, teamwork and equipment skills by using hoses, hydrants, and more.
The win is the fifth in six years for the Melton Juniors, and leader Anthony Rhodes said both the 11 to 14 and 14 to 17-year-old age groups were ecstatic about their wins.
“I feel pride, admiration and respect, the kids have worked hard,” he said.
“We set a very good culture with strict discipline, and these kids respect what’s given to them.
“One of our mottos is ‘we don’t own the jumper, we’re given the jumper to create our own story’, and these kids tell their own story, it’s their time…”
Melton’s men’s and women’s seniors team are hard at work training for their competition against 75 brigades this weekend in Mooroopna.
Mr Rhodes said all the Melton teams are high quality, and the women are the best in Australia, however this year will be “bloody tough competition”.
Acting CFA chief officer Garry Cook said these events are an important tradition for CFA volunteers and regional communities.
“The championships are a display of the skills, dedication, and enthusiasm of our members, but also exemplify our CFA values of teamwork and respect,” he said.
“They promote great camaraderie among our brigades, our volunteers, their families and the wider community. I encourage those who can, to come along and watch the events unfold.”
