Congratulations to Sheldon, who has been appointed as Vice-Captain at today's Annual General Meeting. Congratulations also to Beth and Graham, who have been returned as Secretary and Treasurer respectively. In accordance with the Brigade Constitution, appointments are for a period of two years, at which time the positions again become vacant and an election of nominees is again held.

Site works are now complete, with topsoil spread and grass seeded. With constant watering, plus the wet season rain, warmth and humidity the grass is starting to grow! The concrete slab between the old and new buildings is now finished, and a working bee in the next weekend or so will see the in-ground irrigation installed.

 

It is pleasing to hear comments from the local residents on how much more attractive the fire station is now looking!

The Koolpinyah Volunteer Fire Brigade Santa Run will take place this year on Saturday 17 December. The convoy of fire trucks, under lights and sirens, will depart the fire station on Pioneer Drive at 4.00pm, and will stop at the following "Santa Stops Here" sign locations at the following approximate times indicated below:

 

4.05pm - part way along Acacia Road

4.10pm - corner Acacia Road and Marion Road

4.15pm - corner Marion Road and Jefferis Road

4.20pm - part way along Jefferis Road

4.30pm - corner Ridley Road and Oscar Road

4.40pm - on Sunter Road (west end) just off Pioneer Drive

4.45pm - on Coral Road just off Sunter Road

4.50pm - corner Coral Road and Rachel Road

4.55pm - corner Coral Road and Harriet Road

5.05pm - corner Harriet Road and Daniel Circuit

5.10pm - corner Daniel Circuit and Dominick Road (west end)

5.20pm - corner Hutchinson Circuit and Bohn Road

5.30pm - corner Hutchinson Circuit and Guy Road

5.40pm - corner Girraween Road and Hutchinson Circuit (east end)

The floor tiling has now been completed, and shelving units installed in the storeroom. A big thank you to Ricky Watling for her donation to the brigade to cover the installation of the floor tiles ... Thanks Ricky, much appreciated! The door frames are now painted in black epoxy gloss enamel to match the black powdercoated window frames. Doors will shortly be purchased and fitted to the kitchen and storeroom, and we can now look at the installation of kitchen units and associated plumbing and drainage.

 

Earthworks to the property are under way to recontour the grounds. In the past the area was subjected to flooding with the wet season, so this will alleviate this problem. The overflow water from the bore, which often goes artesian in a good wet season, has been captured inside a concrete surround and drained to the roadside open drain. This should also aid in stopping the seasonal flooding. The driveway, which had deteriorated with last wet seasons saturated conditions, has also been re-shaped and extended sideways to form a sealed hardstand under the fill-point at the overhead tank.

 

We are getting nearer to the point where we can seed the grounds with grass!

A reminder to all to be sure to have a look at the NT Volunteer Bushfires website at http://sites.google.com/site/bfntvolunteers  

 

Webmaster Frank Dunstan has done a tremendous job of making a very interesting website. Especially have a look at the "Community Info" section and the links to the aerial operations

The 2011 AGM was held at the fire station this morning at 10:00am. Invited guests were Gerry Wood MLA, Mick Ayre (Actg Director NTFRS), Dave Ellis (Actg CFO) and Tony Parkinson (Actg District Officer). The meeting saw Lou returned unopposed as Captain, and Elaine returned unopposed as Committee Member. The financial report and the brigade statistics both indicate that the Koolpinyah brigade is entering this next financial year and fire season in a very strong position.

 

The AGM highlighted the support and teamwork given not only by the active responding members, but also by the support group od inactive members, wives, husbands, families, friends and baby-sitters. Without this added assistance, the brigade would not to be able to respond as it has done so in the past.

A big welcome to Sheldon, Bec and James, who have joined the Brigade recently. I know that you all will get the same enjoyment and satisfaction out of the brigade as the rest of us!

 

Sheldon and Bec have just completed their Induction Training, so are now able to "ride the trucks" in emergency response.