Teesdale CFA

10/06/2026

🚒 Meet the Member! ⭐️ Brigade Captain Barry Tomlin

Barry has been a dedicated CFA volunteer for 25 years, joining with a simple goal: to contribute to the community and be part of something that makes a real difference when it's needed most.

Today, Barry serves as Captain of the Teesdale Fire Brigade and Deputy Group Officer for the Leigh Group of Brigades. For him, the standout part of volunteering is the teamwork that brings our brigade together and helps us support our community.

Over the years, Barry has been involved in many significant operations, with two particularly memorable deployments being the 2019/2020 Mallacoota bushfires, where he assisted with township protection and community evacuation, and his 2023 deployment to Queensland as part of an Incident Management Team based in Warwick.

Through his CFA journey, Barry has developed strong leadership, communication and decision-making skills, along with extensive knowledge of fire behaviour and emergency management.

Outside of the CFA, Barry enjoys educating and training horses. A fun fact that many may not know is that he spent part of his childhood living in Malaysia.

When asked what he loves most about Teesdale, Barry describes it as a safe and quiet community. He sums up our brigade in three words: Dedicated, Professional, Volunteer.

His advice to anyone considering joining the CFA?

"Do it. The CFA offers a wide range of roles and opportunities. Not everyone needs to be an active firefighter – there are many important ways to contribute, both operational and non-operational."

Thank you Barry, for your leadership, dedication and 25 years of service to our brigade and community. 👏🚒

05/06/2026

🚒⭐️ Congratulations, David Burge - Our Community Legend! ⭐️🚒

The members of Teesdale Fire Brigade are incredibly proud to congratulate our First Lieutenant, David Burge, on being recognised in the Community Pride category for his exceptional service to the Teesdale community.

For more than two decades, Dave has dedicated countless hours to supporting firefighting efforts, mentoring volunteers, leading by example, and providing support to community members when they have needed it most. His commitment, compassion, and willingness to serve have made a lasting impact on both our brigade and the wider community.

This recognition is especially meaningful as the nomination came from his daughter, Victoria, who has seen firsthand the sacrifices and dedication that come with being a CFA volunteer. Behind every volunteer is a family that shares in that commitment, whether it’s responding to call-outs in the middle of the night, missing family gatherings, or putting community needs first during holidays and weekends.

We would also like to acknowledge and thank Dave’s family for their unwavering support throughout the years. Their encouragement has helped make Dave’s remarkable contribution possible.

Dave is a mentor, a leader, a friend, and an integral part of our brigade family. This award is a fitting recognition of everything he has given to Teesdale over the years.

Congratulations, Dave. We couldn’t be prouder. You truly are a legend!👏🔥❤️

Photo sourced from News.com

🚒❤️

31/05/2026

Today is Smoke Alarm Action Day, and CFA is joining fire agencies across Australia to ask everyone to check their smoke alarms.

Only working smoke alarms save lives, so take some time to check yours and protect you and your family today.

www.cfa.vic.gov.au/smokealarms

29/05/2026

26/05/2026

Teesdale CFA Brigade would like to extend our sincere thanks to the Community of Transfiguration for their continued generosity and support of our brigade.

We are incredibly grateful for the ongoing donations provided to our members, along with the wonderful hospitality shown to us each time we gather for brigade meetings. Having the opportunity to use such a welcoming space, alongside enjoying delicious meals and refreshments, is something our members greatly appreciate.

Community support plays an important role in helping volunteer brigades continue the work we do, and we are truly thankful for the kindness and generosity continually shown to us by the Monastery.

From all of us at Teesdale CFA, thank you for your ongoing support of our brigade and the wider community. 🚒❤️

22/05/2026

What a great morning and we are always so proud to be part of our community events.

Thanks for having us Teesdale Primary School

21/05/2026

👩‍🚒You will see us out and about along the main road this morning!

📚It’s Walk to School day for Teesdale Primary School

Give us and the kids a toot … it’s cold out here 🥶

14/05/2026

🔥 Why Stubble Burns Matter in Our Community 🔥

Recent discussions around stubble burning and burn-offs have highlighted an important question: Why do farmers burn paddocks at all?

In areas like Teesdale and the wider Golden Plains region, our landscape can dry out quickly. After harvest, paddocks are often left with large amounts of stubble (dry crop residue) that can act as significant fuel if a fire starts.

Stubble burns are a long-standing farm management practice used to:
🌾 Reduce fuel loads
🌾 Manage weeds, pests and disease
🌾 Prepare paddocks for the next season

When conducted responsibly, these burns can help lower the intensity and spread of future grassfires. This is particularly important in our district, where hot, windy conditions can turn a small ignition into a fast-moving fire within minutes.

That said, any burn-off carries risk. Before burning, landowners should:
✅ Check local fire restrictions and permit requirements
✅ Register the burn-off
✅ Monitor weather conditions, especially wind
✅ Notify neighbours
✅ Have water, equipment, and enough people on hand
✅ Stay with the fire until it is completely extinguished

For more information visit CFA's website or click the link below:
https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/plan-prepare/how-to-prepare-your-property/burning-off?

27/04/2026

Are you following https://www.facebook.com/DEECABarwonSouthWest?

This is another way to get Planned Burn Notifications within the area.

We’re currently doing planned burning to keep Victoria safer from bushfires.

Want to receive a text or email when planned burns are happening near you?

Sign up for alerts on the Planned Burns Victoria website www.vic.gov.au/plannedburns.

If weather and forest conditions are right, firefighters will light the following burns in the coming days:

📍Barwon Downs – Northern Ridges (600 hectares)
📍Barwon Downs – Taylors Road (98 hectares)
📍Dreeite – Nature Reserve (30 hectares) Traditional Owner burn with Eastern Maar

Without planned burning and other fuel management works, bushfires will be bigger and harder for our firefighters to control.

🔥You may see or smell smoke.
👀 Watch for our crews and follow their directions.
📞 If you experience symptoms that may be due to smoke exposure, please seek medical advice or call NURSE-ON-CALL on 1300 60 60 24.
🌐Detailed information about current air quality throughout Victoria can be found at www.epa.vic.gov.au

Unexpected weather conditions can mean plans change at the last minute and a burn may not go ahead, even if communities have already been notified. When this happens, our crews will continue to monitor the conditions and re-schedule the burn for a later date.

VicEmergency - Barwon South West
Glenelg Shire Council
Colac Otway Shire Council
Colac Fire Brigade
Otway Rural Fire Brigade