WIMMERA volunteers are crushed a statewide fire publication established in Warracknabeal has lost funding.
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The Country Fire Authority has withdrawn its annual grant for the Fire Wise magazine, which Captain Norm Tosh formed in the Wimmera town in 1947.
Fire Wise – formerly The Fireman – is Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria’s official monthly publication.
The group’s Horsham-based state councillor Maurice Dumesny said the authority provided thousands of dollars each year – which equated to about $1 for each volunteer statewide – for the publication.
He said Fire Wise was critical for supplying information to volunteers across the state.
“It has been and still is today a great asset to the group,” he said.
“It is a way of informing volunteers of brigade news and events, championship results, members service awards, the passing of authority members, and reports on brigade functions raising money for equipment.
“Fire Wise has published stories from Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria, Emergency Management Victoria, the CFA, and Forest Fire Management Victoria.
“My opinion has nothing to do with money but more about trying to stop Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria from having a voice.”
In a statement on the Fire Wise website, editor Gordon King said the authority had supported the publication for about 50 years.
He said the funding kept publication costs to a minimum, and helped ensure a free copy of the magazine was available for every brigade captain and group officer each month.
Mr King said while the news was bitterly disappointing, readers should not despair.
“I am determined to make Fire Wise even stronger, more financially secure and even more widely distributed,” he said.
“Like the generations who managed The Fireman before me, I am more convinced than ever that it is vitally important for there to be a thriving and respected opportunity for the voice of authority volunteers to be shared, and for the unconstrained conversations about volunteer issues, ideas and opinions to be on the table.
“I know we have many supporters who understand the value and need for a publication such as Fire Wise and I will be working with these people to ensure our ongoing success.”
Mr King said the first step was making Fire Wise free online at www.fire-wise.com.au to increase the publication’s reach.