General News
21 September, 2025
Members conquer Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb
The Warracknabeal CFA was represented at the recent Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb, with locals Cody Polack and Isabella Orszulak taking on the physical and mental challenge.
Overcoming sickness before the event, Ms Orszulak said she "really enjoyed it".
"It was lots of fun even though I didn't get the time I wanted."
During the climb, she encountered tough asthma conditions, causing her to slow down and take a breath.
"By floor 20, I was really struggling, so I had to stop and take off my mask and everything to catch my breath," she said.
"In the moment, I didn't think I could do it, but I thought that I had come this far, and I finished the last eight floors.
"I got taps on the shoulder from everyone going past, and they really got around you."
Looking back on the experience, she said a highlight was reaching the joint goal of $1 million raised for the event's beneficiaries.
"That was really great to be a part of," she said.
"And carrying the bib number 343."
Number 343 represented the number of firefighters who attended the September 11 World Trade Centre incident in 2001, in New York City.
A tragic event that rocked the world.
Ms Orszulak said she was also lucky enough to carry the photo of her friend Nathan, a volunteer firefighter who sadly passed away.
"Wearing 343 and Nathan's photo is what kept me going," she said.
Mr Polack described his experience as "unreal".
"It was certainly an experience," he said.
Not knowing the exact stair climbing conditions he was heading into, he said it "wasn't what he anticipated the stairs to be".
"I thought it was going to be pretty straightforward, but it was different in a spiral," Mr Polack said.
"You'd have three steps and then seven."
The mental idea of not making it to the top was a challenge that Mr Polack had to overcome.
"On the 13th floor, I thought, 'Why am I doing this? Why did I sign up for this?', but I pushed on," he said.
He said getting to the top of the staircase and networking with other participants was a highlight of his experience.
"You really get that sense of accomplishment once you get to the top," he said.
Ms Orszulak's final fundraising tally was $2740, with Mr Polack finishing with $2450 raised for the event's causes.
On behalf of Warracknabeal CFA, they raised a combined total of $5190.
"I absolutely smashed my goal," Ms Orszulak said.
Mr Polack said, "Thanks to everyone who donated and supported".
Funds raised go towards Lifeline, the Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation and the 000 Foundation.