Keith Wolahan (Menzies, Liberal Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

Volunteers are at the heart of our community, and the ones we perhaps treasure most are those who put their lives on the line for others, like the CFA, who run to the site of fire, or the SES, who run to the sound of thunder. Last Saturday I was honoured to join our community at the annual Fireball held at Bramleigh Estate in Warrandyte. Fireball was formed in 2014. The committee wanted to do something for the four CFAs in our area: Warrandyte, Warrandyte North, Warrandyte South and Wonga Park. Each Fireball has raised significant funds, including for vehicles for the four CFAs. The most recent ball raised $60,000.

I would like to thank all of the volunteers who made this possible, including members of each of the CFAs and the sponsors. I note the generosity of Mary-Anne Lowe of Bramleigh and Greg Kennedy of the Grand Hotel. I single out the committee members: Michelle Lambert, Julie Quinton, Jaime Noye, Leasa Dyason, Angela Germech, Dinah Ward, Deanne Dickson, Geri Overberg and Katie Murphy. Additionally, I acknowledge Freya Dugan and Rohan Thornton, who were on previous committees. There was quite a moving moment at the end when the committee had a box of all the lessons that they'd learnt and they passed those on to Sandi Miller, editor of the Warrandyte Diary, who will take those lessons and turn Fireball into Thunderball for the SES. Well done, everyone.