Billanook College raise cash for Macclesfield CFA animal rescue team
Horses, cows, alpacas and even camels have been rescued by this crew of heroes, but they couldn’t do it without a little help. Find out how this unique CFA group has inspired a Mooroolbark school.
Outer East
Don't miss out on the headlines from Outer East. Followed categories will be added to My News.
There are only two fire brigades in the state able to help rescue a horse from a ditch and the Macclesfield crew are one of them.
The volunteer firefighters have been expertly trained to help save animals — usually the larger ones — injured in road accidents or which have fallen or become stuck.
This year the Macclesfield Fire Brigade is the recipient of a very special charity fete that Billanook College Grade 6 students hold to raise money for the community.
Money from the Mooroolbark event will go towards helping buy more specialised equipment for the firefighters to help them rescue animals.
Teacher Mark Tomietto said about 33 students from Grade 6 had organised the fete, where they would sell gifts and treats to raise money for a certain cause.
Mr Tomietto said as part of the curriculum each student had prepared a power point presentation with a charity or cause, and Macclesfield was chosen from a hat.
Student James de Schwartz, 12, put the idea forward to his class to support the volunteers.
“I really appreciate the work they are doing for the community,” James said.
He said he chose the community organisation for its animal rescue work as well as supporting the CFA generally.
“I live in the Yarra Valley and they are one of the only CFA groups that do animal rescue in Victoria,” James said.
The crew’s first lieutenant, Eric Bast, said volunteers provided emergency rescue in the Yarra Ranges for larger animals like horses, cows, alpacas, and even camels.
Mr Bast said the crew recently rescued a dog – Ted – from a wombat hole under a shed.
“It’s challenging as we need to assess the viability of the animal,” Mr Bast said.
“If it’s not viable then when put the stress on the animal?
MORE NEWS: COULD YOU HANDLE 100 SCHNITZELS?
CROP SITTER: ‘I THOUGHT THEY WERE JUST HERBS’
A WORKPLACE FIRE DRILL ACCIDENT ENDS IN COURT
“We work with vets and not every job we do has a happy outcome.”
He said animal rescue specialists from the UK and the US have come out to train the volunteers, which has increased the success of the operations.
“That’s what we’re working with, the right techniques and the right equipment,” Mr Bast said.