Orbost Fire Brigade is getting geared up to celebrate, and why wouldn’t they when they’re knocking up 100 years of protecting the local community?

With countless volunteers over the century (more are always welcome) the brigade is reaching out to all current and former members of the brigade, whether they were fire fighters or the all important people keeping things straight at home while others’ properties were being protected, to come and help celebrate with a community fun day on Saturday, November 16.

As the brigade prepares for its big celebrations, which will include a gala dinner on the Saturday night, they have been searching for photos, memorabilia and the like to really delve into where it has been over the past 10 decades. Keep an eye out for photos, in the paper and in the community, as they seek names and any information that members of the public may know including stories that have been passed down through the generations.

“We’ve got photos of the old running cart team and we’d love to hear from its former members who some we understand are still living in the area,” brigade treasurer, Keily Lobley, said.

The community fun day will be held at Forest Park from 10am to 2pm on November 16 and everything will be free. It will be chockablock with activities for the whole family including emergency services displays by the Orbost CFA, SES, ambulance, police, coast guard and Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, barbecue lunch, jumping castles, face painting, Patches the Clown and a chance to meet CFA’s mascot, Captain Koala. There will also be a wonderful display of the Orbost brigade’s 100 years at the Orbost Exhibition Centre that will include many photos, uniforms, trophies, running carts and much more.

Awards will be presented at the invitation only gala dinner. New to this year’s awards will be an award presented in memory of Tommy Brooks-Verrent, whose sudden death at the age of 18 in April shocked the community.

“This award will be presented each year now to someone deserving and showing dedication to the brigade and community,” Keily said.

“We’ll also be reintroducing the Fireman of the Year award, which has been gone for about 20 years. It works on a points system over the year with things like the turnouts, meetings and trainings attended.”

For a special piece of memorabilia, lapel pins have been produced and will be for sale at the community day.

“There will only be 250 available and will help us celebrate serving Orbost and surrounds for 100 years,” Keily said.

Watch this space as more information about the brigade’s 100-year celebrations comes to hand.