In conjunction with Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) a very special Volunteer Awards Ceremony was held on Saturday 12 February 2022, to acknowledge the incredible work of members of the local community who give up their time to support the operations of the Calliope Rural Fire Brigade(CRFB), the Gladstone Foundation Board Independent Chairperson Tim Griffin OAM along with the Honorable Glenn Butcher MP, Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing and Minister for Water, will jointly open the CRFB facility extensions handover.
The CRFB upgrades and extensions are thanks to a grant of almost $400,000 awarded to the Calliope Rural Fire Brigade from the Gladstone Foundation local February 2018 grant program. The Calliope Rural Fire Brigade, located off the national Bruce Highway within the Gladstone Region, is home to 30 rural fire fighters, and plays a vital role in protecting this close-knit regional community.
After experience horrific wildfires back in November 2018 and heatwave conditions where evacuations were needed along with the declaration of a State of Emergency and Gladstone Local Disaster Management Group assistance, Gladstone Region – Calliope residents are seeing the physical benefits of $400,000 in grant funding provided by the Gladstone Foundation, supporting legacy social infrastructure which will extend the existing station shed, training facility, storage capacity, kitchen facility and three extra engine bays for appliances and equipment infrastructure amenities, for the Calliope Rural Fire Brigade volunteering local heroes.
The$400,000 grant from the Gladstone Foundation awarded to the Calliope Rural Fire Brigade back in February 2019 was aimed to complete station extensions to operational readiness, along with being opened to the community to come along and experience the station’s new upgrades on 12 February.
The Gladstone Foundation (GF) financially supported by the natural gas companies ConocoPhillips (Australia Pacific LNG), QGC Pty Limited and Santos (Gladstone LNG) are pleased for this legacy social infrastructure to service the fire-fighting need of the Calliope citizens of the Gladstone Region. The Boards’ (GF) Independent Chairperson, Tim Griffin OAM, said “seeing the expansion of the Calliope Rural Fire Brigade infrastructure was the effort of many during the past few years, and now is a great rural fire brigade facility for the tireless front-line community volunteers”, Mr. Griffin added.
Queensland Public Trustee and CEO, Samay Zhouand said the work of the front-line heroes at the Calliope Rural Fire Brigade Station protects the local community. “It is an honour to be able to support the Gladstone Foundation in providing funding for the construction of the station extension and appliance handover to directly support the local Calliope community.
Queensland’s Public Trustee and CEO, Samay Zhouand, said he is proud to support the Gladstone Foundation as the Trustee and that the grant fulfilled the Foundation’s charter of funding social infrastructure in the region, from voluntary contributions made by LNG Gas companies involved in major regional projects.
The Gladstone Foundation Board members, Gladstone Regional Council Mayor Cr Matt Burnett and QFRS Deputy Commissioner Michael Wassing, local Calliope Volunteer Rural Fire Brigade team members and community members undertook a walk-through inspection of the facilities.
For more information, visit: www.gladstonefoundation.org.au
Media contact: Tim Griffin OAM Independent Chair Gladstone Foundation 0418 787 012.