This was a community engagement event where anyone interested in becoming a volunteer was encouraged to ask how they could be part of the CFA.
A short talk on community fire safety informed everyone of the easy steps to take to lower fire risk everywhere.
The highlight of the evening was the presentation by CFA Commander Daryl Owen of service medals to 23 eligible members.
These medals are presented to serving volunteers every five years. Seven members were awarded life membership while the longest serving member, Norton Grimwade, was honoured for 65 years of service.
Mr Grimwade has served as captain several times and been an office bearer for many years.
Three members have served for 55 years, two for 50 years, two for 45 years, another two for 40 years, and three have served for 35 years.
The combined years served total 785.
The Whitegate RFB had its roots in 1906 when local community members gathered in the White Gate Creamery on Elm Tree Corner and decided to form a bush fire brigade.
In those days, the fire protection system was supported only by a levy on local residents.
At the inaugural meeting, £24.15 was raised and used to purchase a fire cart. The cart held 100 gallons (450 litres), was horse-drawn and required manual pumping of water.
Equipment was added over the years so that by the 1940s, the firefighting equipment had grown to include six tanks ranging from 80 gallons (350 litres) to 160 gallons (700 litres) on motorised vehicles, plus four horse-drawn fire carts with manual pumps, and 12 knapsacks allocated to individual brigade members. The first powered unit arrived in 1942.
At the end of 1944, the CFA was established by the Victorian Government, meaning that levies imposed on local landowners were no longer vital for firefighting.
The major advancement occurred in 1988 with the construction of a fire shed, providing a centralised location and a permanent home for meetings and equipment. Later additions have provided a telephone, a toilet, a water storage tank and most recently NBN service for wi-fi connection.
While the long-serving members have accumulated their many years of service, new younger recruits are providing confidence that there will be continued firefighting skills in the Whitegate area.
