Rebuild of Edithvale Fire Station made possible by 88-year-old John Hennessy

AN ELDERLY man has put the needs of his community ahead of his own, selling his home to the CFA for less than market value to ensure the 97-year-old Edithvale Fire Station could be rebuilt in its current location.

JOHN Hennessy is a cult figure around Edithvale Fire Station.

He’s never helped extinguish a blaze, rescue a trapped motorist or even enticed a kitten out of a tree.

But his generosity and community spirit made it possible for the 97-year-old station to stay in its current location thanks to land owned by Mr Hennessy.

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The former truckie turned his back on more lucrative deals being offered by developers and agreed to sell his house to the CFA for $960,000 in 2009.

Mr Hennessey, 88, said he loved watching the fire fighters respond to emergencies.

“After I retired I used to sit there at the front of the house and watch them racing across the drive when there’d be a fire,” he said.

“I used to think they did a great job.”

Edithvale Captain Graham Fountain said the new station wouldn’t have been possible without Mr Hennessy’s support.

“Our existing site was considered to be in the right location, so that meant we had to secure

additional land,” Mr Fountain said.

“John has been a long-term neighbour to the old fire station and we agreed that he could stay in his property until the time came for the new fire station to be rebuilt.

“John was happy to negotiate an outcome that fitted within the budget we had.”

Mr Fountain said work on the new structure began earlier than initially anticipated and once again Mr Hennessey was happy to help his mates next door.

“He moved out earlier than expected. I helped negotiate a place for him down the road at Bupa Aged Care Edithvale, which is where he wanted to go,” he said.

Mr Hennessy said he was happy at his new home and pleased to have been able to attend the grand opening of the station earlier his month.

“They gave me the greatest wrap I’ve ever got in my life,” he said.

“I supported them as much as I could and I think they appreciated that.”

The new station has four vehicle bays, a meeting room, volunteer business hub and community co-working space where crews can work or study on site and immediately

respond to emergency call outs.

Mordialloc State MP Tim Richardson said the facilities would ensure the brigades 100 plus “dedicated volunteers have the space and equipment they need to continue their outstanding work protecting lives and properties.”

The brigade responds to more than 300 emergency call-outs each year across Edithvale, Aspendale, Chelsea and Chelsea Heights and supports CFA brigades at Patterson River, Keysborough, Springvale and Carrum Downs.

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