Celebrating a centenary of protection and education, Orbost Fire Brigade shared its achievements with the community it protects last week with a history display, a free family fun day and a gala awards night.

From last Tuesday to Saturday, the Orbost Exhibition Centre displayed a great array of paraphernalia from across the years, with photos, documents and equipment, some still in use today, though in a more modern form, while others were true items of history, replaced by modern technology.

Among the items displayed were uniforms, trophies, fire extinguishers, newspaper articles and a running cart lovingly restored to its former glory by the Bemm River Men’s Shed.

The family fun day was well attended with activities for youngsters including jumping castles, face painting, an opportunity to get in the driver’s seat of one of the emergency vehicles on display, including Orbost CFA, SES, ambulance, police, coastguard and Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, a chance to give CFA mascot, Captain Koala, a hug and receive a balloon creation from Patches the Clown.

The Rotary Club of Orbost had the barbecue sizzling to feed the masses and for a souvenir of the monumental occasion, limited edition lapel pins were available for purchase.

The invitation-only gala awards night on Saturday was a grand event, celebrating not only the brigade’ s 100 years but also the achievements of brigade members across the year and service over the years.

Among the awards were the reinstated Firefighter of the Year award and the Young Firefighter of the Year Award, created in honour of Tommy Brooks.

PICTURED: Orbost Fire Brigade Firefighter of the Year, 1st Lieutenant Ryan Findley, and Captain Dick Johnstone cut the celebratory cake, provided by Orbost Bakery, at the brigade’s centenary celebrations and gala awards night on Saturday.