General News
2 September, 2025
Concert proceeds boost CFA brigades
Hindmarsh Shire Council mayor Ron Ismay presented cheques to representatives of the Ebenezer and Lowan CFA Brigades, raised from the Community Thank You Concert held in Dimboola earlier this year.
The cheque presentation ceremony was held at the Hindmarsh Shire Council Briefing on Wednesday, August 13, 2025.
The concert and auction in March at the Dimboola Recreation Reserve followed the devastating Little Desert National Park bushfire in January 2025.
The event gave the community a chance to thank the hundreds of CFA volunteers and emergency services personnel who fought the fire.
Cr Ismay presented $900 each to Russell Hunter of the Ebenezer CFA Brigade and Peter Duperouzel of the Lowan CFA Brigade.
“We all remember the events of Monday, January 27, 2025, and the impact that the bushfire, which started from dry lightning strikes in the Little Desert National Park, had on the residents of Hindmarsh, but particularly those in Dimboola, Winiam, Nhill and districts,” he said.
“It has been said many times before that if it wasn’t for the selfless acts of the many CFA Volunteers and Emergency Services personnel who came to assist in fighting the fire, who knows what the extent of damage to private and public lands and infrastructure, livestock, native flora and fauna would have been.
“Additionally, and thankfully, there was no loss of life or severe injuries to any of our firefighters or residents.”
District 17 Country Fire Authority covers more than 80 brigades.
The Ebenezer Group includes brigades from Dimboola, Antwerp, Tarranyurk, Detpa, Gerang Gerung and Jeparit, while the Lowan Group includes Nhill, Winiam, Diapur, Broughton, Propodollah, Yanac, Netherby, Lorquon and Woorak.
“All members of these brigades are volunteers and many of them had families evacuated, or had their own farms and properties under threat, while helping to save others during the fire,” Cr Ismay said.
“For the selfless acts and commitment by members, we will be forever grateful – thank you.”
