Kunwarara Rural Fire Brigade new $122,000 Landcruiser funded by community donations

A Rockhampton region rural fire brigade has received a new Landcruiser ute to assist in its ability to keep the district safe from bushfires.

You couldn’t wipe the smile off Clint Swadling’s face when he was handed the keys to a new $122,000 Landcruiser on behalf of the Kunwarara Rural Fire Brigade.

Thanks to hundreds and thousands of raffle ticket sales, sausage sizzles and community fundraising, the custom-built Landcruiser light attack was 100 per cent funded by donations.

Brigade 1st Officer Clint Swadling with Rural Fire Brigade Association Queensland Ian Pike and Rockhampton representative Robert Lang shared their gratitude for the community for their efforts in the fundraising at the formal ceremony at the Rockhampton Area Office on Wednesday.

“Really, really excited, it’s going to help us out a lot,” Mr Swadling said.

Clint Swadling, Cloe Boyland, Darrin Swadling, James Lawson, Rose Swadling, Graham Swadling, Ian Pike with the new Kunwarara Landcruiser.

It is the first truck for the small volunteer fire brigade which covers from Kunwarara to Canoona, including most of the Bruce Highway and Defence land.

They also support other crews in the area, including Marlborough, Ogmore and The Caves.

“It’s just so far away from Rocky,” he said.

“To get any truck to come up, it’s 45 minutes away and there is a lot of things that happen in that region.

“It’s a unique little area but very busy, the traffic is increasing.

“If a fire happens on the rail corridor, you have to shut the rail corridor and the Bruce Highway.

“Some fires on Defence land, we have been involved assisting them and leaseholders up there to try and contain fires in that area and working with Defence in collaboration.”

The new Landcruiser fire ute in action for the first time.

Kunwarara started in 1996 from a primary producer brigade and last year they voted to turn it into a truck brigade.

The community brigade has around 11 members, depending on who is available at the time.

“Volunteers are busy, they work and they give the best time when they can,” Mr Swadling said.

Selfless to his core, volunteering is in Mr Swadling’s blood and is something he loves to do.

“Giving back to the community, that what makes me volunteer, it’s not about me, it’s about what I can do for my community,” he said.

The Rockhampton Inner Wheel ladies also handed over a power washer to the Great Keppel Island Rural Fire Brigade, to keep the sand and salt off their truck.

A cheque for $6,438.00 was handed to Hidden Valley RFB and a $46,000 solar powered radio repeater trailer that was donated by Energex and Ergon to the Rural Fire Service Queensland.

Photos of fires on Stanage Bay defence land taken by Kunwarara Rural Fire Brigade.

CALLS FOR A SHED

Mirani MP Stephen Andrew attended the ceremony and put out the call for the Federal Government to fund a shed to house the new truck.

“The most important people here today are the volunteers who go out and do their work, these people are supported by the community that delivered these appliances today,” he said.

“Some of that area goes into the Shoalwater buy-back area and some of that is along the highway.

“I would like to see the Federal Government, through the Shoalwater Bay process, to be able to build that shed at Ogmore and Kunwarara.

“It’s so close to where the Federal Government has purchased land.

“When there is fires there, our people in the community will respond.

“To support that response, we need the Federal Government to ensure they have the right places to work from and they are supported.

“So these appliances have a place to live and the people have a place to work out of.”

Capricornia MP Michelle Landry said there were a number of federal grants available throughout the year.

“Rural Fire Brigades are out there fighting the good fight, risking their own safety to protect the homes and property of us all,” she said.

“The Stronger Communities Program is currently open and I encourage the Kunwarara Rural Fire Brigade Branch to submit an application.

“The grant amount for small capital projects is up to 100 per cent of eligible project costs except for local governing bodies where grant funding will be up to 50 per cent of eligible projects costs.

“The grant request must be between $2500 and $20,000.

“If applicants are not incorporated, they will need to seek a sponsor.

“I encourage the Kunwarara Rural Fire Brigade Branch to make contact with my Rockhampton office to further discuss funding options.”