Merrijig Rural Fire Brigade

Merrijig Rural Fire Brigade The local volunteer rural Fire brigade

MERRIJIG CFA - MERRIJIG ANZAC SERVICE A new ANZAC service area, and new parking location, to accommodate growing numbers...
25/04/2026

MERRIJIG CFA - MERRIJIG ANZAC SERVICE

A new ANZAC service area, and new parking location, to accommodate growing numbers at the increasingly popular Merrijig ANZAC service saw Merrijig CFA volunteers helping with traffic management and car parking today.

Merrijig CFA has a long history with the Merrijig ANZAC Service. The brigade's tanker escorts the horse riders up the hill, at the rising of the sun, and then is on stand-by to extinguish the fire braziers at the end of the event., before returning back to the station.

Thank you to Dave Lovick for driving the tanker and for laying the wreath on behalf of Merrijig CFA this morning.

Thank you to Merrijig CFA Members; old & new, and to our new recruits, for directing traffic today and helping keep spectators and horse riders safe.
An early start this morning for CFA Volunteers; Dave, Lachie, Jonathan, Max, Anne, Jenny, Bruce, Al, Cha, Nikki and Bear; with helpers arriving between 5.30- 6am.

Our new CFA firefighter, Ange Thompson, was busy - in her other role - and did a fantastic job organizing what appeared to be a record number of 122 horses for today's ANZAC ride.

And our CFA member Adrian Lawrence was kept busy with MC duties for the service in his other role as President of Merrijig Hall.

A beautiful Commemorative service and a true Merrijig Community event today.

Photo Credits: Marta Wakeling
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Glenroy - Merrijig Rural Fire Brigade
Our Community, Our CFA
Protecting People & Property
100% Volunteer - 24/7 - Since 1925
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PREPARE - REGISTER BURN OFF - & NOTIFY NEIGHBOURS If you are burning off - Prepare your area & have enough water nearby ...
11/04/2026

PREPARE - REGISTER BURN OFF - & NOTIFY NEIGHBOURS

If you are burning off
- Prepare your area & have enough water nearby
- Register your burn-off online - https://firepermits.vic.gov.au/
- Give your neighbours a heads up

-Register your burn-off online.
This is the quickest and easiest way to register your burn off - Check apply notify https://firepermits.vic.gov.au/

Image & info Credit: CFA Vic & FirePermits Vic
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Glenroy - Merrijig Rural Fire Brigade
Our Community, Our CFA
Protecting People & Property
100% Volunteer - 24/7 - Since 1925
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FIRE DANGER PERIOD HAS ENDED - REGISTER ALL YOUR BURNS The Fire Danger Period has lifted for Mansfield Shire. You will s...
11/04/2026

FIRE DANGER PERIOD HAS ENDED - REGISTER ALL YOUR BURNS

The Fire Danger Period has lifted for Mansfield Shire. You will see an increase in private burn-offs, particularly over the school holidays and over the ANZAC weekend as people come up to tidy up their properties.

Please - Register your burn off.
False alarm calls to unregistered burn-offs take volunteer firefighters away from workplaces, families and other emergencies.

Keep you burn-off safe and legal:
1) register your burn online at firepermits.vic.gov.au or phone 1800 668 511
2) Check fire restrictions with your local council

AND please
- Check and monitor weather conditions – particularly wind
- To avoid unnecessary calls to emergency services, notify your neighbours
- Leave a three-meter fire break, free from flammable materials around the burn
- Have sufficient equipment and water to stop the fire spreading
- Never leave a burn-off unattended – stay for its entire duration

- If your burn-off gets out of control, call ‘000’ immediately

Property owners have legal obligations when burning off. Failing to comply with local council by-laws and state legislation can lead to a fine.

Register your burn-off online. This is the quickest and easiest way to register your burn off - Check apply notify https://firepermits.vic.gov.au/

Image & info Credit: CFA Vic & FirePermits Vic
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Glenroy - Merrijig Rural Fire Brigade
Our Community, Our CFA
Protecting People & Property
100% Volunteer - 24/7 - Since 1925
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FIRE DANGER PERIOD HAS ENDED IN MANSFIELD SHIRE The Fire Danger Period has ended in Mansfield Shire and the weather has ...
11/04/2026

FIRE DANGER PERIOD HAS ENDED IN MANSFIELD SHIRE

The Fire Danger Period has ended in Mansfield Shire and the weather has cooled and some rain has fallen.

BUT restrictions on fires and burning off still apply in some areas., so if you are travelling for the school holidays be aware that some areas are still under Fire Danger Period restrictions and strict rules apply during the Fire Danger Period. This helps to prevent bush and grassfires starting when they are harder to control.

Where Fire Danger Period has ended, councils set their own year-round rules about burning off. This could determine when you’re allowed to burn, what you can burn, the maximum size of a fire, or the minimum fire break you need around a fire.
You may also need a permit to burn, and in certain cases, an inspection by an Authorized Officer.

Before you think about lighting a fire, here’s what you should do 👇

1️⃣ Check if the area is still under Fire Danger Period restrictions: https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/.../fir.../fire-restriction-dates

2️⃣ If the Fire Danger Period is still in force in an area you are visiting, see what you can and can’t do: https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/.../fire-bans.../can-i-or-cant-i

3️⃣ Head to your local council’s website, to see if you need to follow any rules specific to your area once the Fire Danger Period is over.

Image & information Credit: Vic Emergency

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Glenroy - Merrijig Rural Fire Brigade
Our Community, Our CFA
Protecting People & Property
100% Volunteer - 24/7 - Since 1925
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TIMBERTOP & MERRIJIG CFA - COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Over three days, we welcomed six groups of Timbertop Students to the Mer...
24/03/2026

TIMBERTOP & MERRIJIG CFA - COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Over three days, we welcomed six groups of Timbertop Students to the Merrijig Fire Station as part of their Year 9 Geography unit on 'Bushfires and Community Resilience."

Students explored how Merrijig and Timbertop communities 1) prepare for, 2) respond to, 3) recover from and 4) learn and adapt to bushfires.

Brigade Captain, Anthony Wakeling spoke about how our brigade runs, how firefighters train, showed equipment we use, and how our tanker and ultralight operate.

Veteran Firefighter, Dave Lovick, a highly experienced operational volunteer with over 35 years fighting local fires, demonstrated how firefighters stay safe on the fireground, with protective clothing, specialized fire hoses for different operations and how firefighters keep safe on the back of a tanker if caught in a burn over.

Our Community Engagement Officer, Marta Wakeling, a retired teacher, shared insights into the geography and history of bushfires in our area.

It was fantastic to see students engaging, asking questions, and connecting with their local CFA volunteers.

Feedback from Lloyd Gwilym, Teacher of Agriculture, highlights the success of these station visits; "All of our Geography teachers came back to school and commented on how useful, well organized and beneficial the experience was for the students and staff alike."

A valuable new community initiative — and Merrijig CFA look forward to doing it again next year! A big thank you to our volunteers, Anthony, Dave & Marta, who gave their time.

Photo Credits:
(1) GGS Timbertop - Mr Lloyd Gwilym - used with permission
(2-4) Marta Wakeling

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Glenroy - Merrijig Rural Fire Brigade
Our Community, Our CFA
Protecting People & Property
100% Volunteer - 24/7 - Since 1925
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COMMUNITY ENGAGMENT - MERRIJIG CFA AT MERRIJIG PRIMARY SCHOOL Merrijig CFA had the pleasure of visiting Merrijig Primary...
22/03/2026

COMMUNITY ENGAGMENT - MERRIJIG CFA AT MERRIJIG PRIMARY SCHOOL

Merrijig CFA had the pleasure of visiting Merrijig Primary' schools, as part of their Term 1 unit on Community Helpers.

Our first Lieutenant, and teacher at the Merrijig Primary School, Jonathan Steele, organized a visit from our tanker as an incursion to the school. Our brigade has a long and happy history of visits to Merrijig Primary School.

Thank you to Captain Anthony Wakeling and firefighter Mary Dunn, who helped with the incursion.

Image Credit: Mansfield Courier - March 11, 2026

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Glenroy - Merrijig Rural Fire Brigade
Our Community, Our CFA
Protecting People & Property
100% Volunteer - 24/7 - Since 1925
----------------------------------------

MERRIJIG CFA - COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT- MINI MATES The rescheduled date for Merrijig Primary School's Mini Mates is this We...
22/03/2026

MERRIJIG CFA - COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT- MINI MATES

The rescheduled date for Merrijig Primary School's Mini Mates is
this Wednesday 25th March, 2026.

Merrijig CFA have been kindly invited to attend with the firetruck.

Our CFA volunteers look forward to seeing many families there on Wednesday.

ROB (CHOPPY) PURCELL - MAY HE REST IN ETERNAL PEACE The Merrijig CFA and brigade mascot flags had been flying at half-ma...
21/03/2026

ROB (CHOPPY) PURCELL - MAY HE REST IN ETERNAL PEACE

The Merrijig CFA and brigade mascot flags had been flying at half-mast since the news of Rob (Choppy) Purcell's passing. Our community had been Mourning the sad loss of 53-year CFA veteran, twice brigade Captain, Lieutenant, firefighter and a great mentor of the brigade Rob Purcell.

Rob was laid to rest on Thursday, March 19th, 2026.
A church service was held at 12:30 pm at St Francis Xavier Church in Mansfield, with full church inside and full grounds outside. District Commander Paul Scragg read the Fireman's prayer at the service. Merrijig Brigade Captain Anthony Wakeling spoke briefly about Choppy's contribution to the local fire brigade and others spoke of Choppy's enduring legacy to the community.

The burial followed at Mansfield Lawn Cemetery and CFA members from Merrijig and other local brigades formed a Guard of Honour for Choppy's hearse to pass through on his final journey; with a long procession of mourners following the hearse on foot.

The Wake was held at the Hunt Club, Merrijig, where Choppy was a much-loved regular. Many stories were shared about shearing feats, Rodeo rides and firefighting escapades and many a ###X were raised in Choppy's memory.

Choppy is sadly missed by his family and friends. He was a loving and devoted Father to Luke, Tara, Will, Scott and Guy; Father-in-Law to Tanya, Dan, Amelia, Tia; Grandfather to Molly, Charlotte, Beau and Tucker; Partner to Raven; Brother to Joan, Greg and Raymond and a loveable character and a good mate and mentor to many.

May He Rest in Eternal Peace.

Photo Credits: Dave Lovick
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Glenroy - Merrijig Rural Fire Brigade
Our Community, Our CFA
Protecting People & Property
100% Volunteer - 24/7 - Since 1925
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VALE - ROB (CHOPPY) PURCELL It is with great sadness that our brigade shares the news of the recent passing of Rob (C...
12/03/2026

VALE - ROB (CHOPPY) PURCELL

It is with great sadness that our brigade shares the news of the recent passing of Rob (Choppy) Purcell.

A much-loved member of our local community, and a true leader of our brigade.

Choppy joined the brigade in 1972, serving as a volunteer for over 53 years.

During his time with the brigade, he volunteered as a firefighter, as a 4th, 3rd, 2nd and 1st Lieutenant, he was also the brigades Group Delegate, and he was Captain of Merrijig RFB twice. First in (1999-2003) and again in (2009- 2013).

Choppy remained an active brigade member throughout, attending call outs and assisting with brigade matters

He was at the opening of the "Captains Avenue of Honour" celebrating the brigade's leader over the past 100 years.

At the Brigades Centenary Celebrations - Reunion Dinner - he received his 50 Year Service Medal.

His Funeral will be held on the Thursday 19th March at 12.30 at St Francis Xavier Church Mansfield. It will be followed by a wake at the Hunt Club - Merrijig.

Merrijig Brigade extends the deepest condolences to Choppy's family and friends.

He is greatly missed.

Photo Credits: Sandra Lording of Sandra Lee Photography Mansfield
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Glenroy - Merrijig Rural Fire Brigade
Our Community, Our CFA
Protecting People & Property
100% Volunteer - 24/7 - Since 1925
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Don’t let those early March, heavy rains fool you. The latest AFAC seasonal outlook shows our bushfire season is not ove...
10/03/2026

Don’t let those early March, heavy rains fool you. The latest AFAC seasonal outlook shows our bushfire season is not over yet with continued fire risk during autumn for most of our state.

The hot dry conditions we have experienced will most likely continue well into autumn meaning the potential for fires to start and spread will stay with us for sometime yet.

Make sure you stay aware of the Fire Danger Ratings and any Total Fire Bans in your area.

Always make sure you have access to more than one source of information to stay up to date with fires in your area and remember to enact your fire survival plans when required.

Some reliable information sources include:
✅ ABC local radio, Radio Mansfield
✅ The VicEmergency App
✅ The VicEmergency website www.emergency.vic.gov.au
✅ The VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226
✅ CFA or VicEmergency -socials

Image credits: AFAC
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Glenroy - Merrijig Rural Fire Brigade
Our Community, Our CFA
Protecting People & Property
100% Volunteer - 24/7 - Since 1925
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Address

Mount Buller, VIC
3723

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