Dorrigo community to benefit from new BBQ

Dorrigo Fire Brigade is thrilled to have a new BBQ thanks to the ETC Community Support Fund.

Retained Firefighter David Hitchcock said this will help them to go even further with their contribution back to the local community.

“We regularly hold free sausage sizzles for the general public, which creates community involvement and awareness,” Mr Hitchcock said.

“The assistance from ETC being a community minded organisation has supported us to continue with these events.”

The Dorrigo Fire Station is currently manned by 14 retained fire fighters who enjoy providing their community with education and awareness of fire prevention and safety.

“Being a small station, we don’t do the job just for paid recognition, we do it to give back to the community,” Mr Hitchcock said.

The Fire Brigade actively runs fundraising events which raises money for worthwhile groups in town. For example, they sponsored the Dorrigo Swim Club to purchase new uniforms to represent the town when going to other regions.

“We also fundraise to support the Dorrigo Brigade’s championship team to go events. Following three days of fierce competition, Dorrigo was crowned 2014 championship team at the State Firefighter Championship in October,” Mr Hitchcock said.

The Dorrigo Fire Brigade is hosting an Open Day at the station on Saturday 30th May and locals are encouraged to attend.

“There will be safety demonstrations, fire station tours and the chance to inspect the fire fighting equipment and trucks used by our crew when responding to fires and other emergencies. There is also an array of activities for kids,” Mr Hitchcock said.

ETC Chairman Rod McKelvey said it was a pleasure to be able to support the Dorrigo Fire Brigade.

“The ETC Community Support Fund is designed to help organisations improve the social and economic development of local communities,” Mr McKelvey said.

“ETC is proud to be a not-for-profit company and we are confident the money we are donating will help make a more positive future for our community.

“Since 1989, ETC has placed over 53,000 Australians into jobs, trained more than 25,000 people, helped over 36,000 small businesses to start-up and grow, and contributed in excess of $25 million to the local communities in which we operate.”