RFBAQ
Elected representatives from across Queensland met on Saturday and Sunday to elect the RFBAQ President, 2 vice Presidents and 2 members of the State Executive to comprise the Management Committee and to hold the Annual General Meeting and Public Fund Meeting.
All the elected representatives and RFBAQ staff thanked Ian Pike AFSM for his 9 years’ service as RFBAQ President and thanked Gary Patzwald for his 6 years’ service as Senior Vice President.
The newly elected management committee consists of –
Jim Besgrove AFSM – President - townsville@rfbaq.org president@rfbaq.org
Ian Swadling AFSM – Senior Vice President - moreton.bay@rfbaq.org
Alan Gillespie AFSM – Junior Vice President - somerset.lockyer@rfbaq.org
Ben Heilbronn – management committee member - scenic.rim@rfbaq.org
Gaven Bunker - management committee member - northwest.gulf@rfbaq.org
Justin Choveaux – appointed member, General Manager – gm@rfbaq.org
A complete list of RFBAQ Representatives and contact details – https://www.rfbaq.org/reps
AgForce Queensland
Head of Industry Development, Josefine Pettersson delivered a presentation to the members regarding the changes made without consultation by the Federal Government to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
The sections in relation to fire breaks will put brigades and landholders in the position of either breaking the law or getting overrun by fire.
The RFBAQ and AgForce will be working to have these dangerous sections removed or amended.
Office of the Minister for Fire
a/Chief of Staff for Minister Leahy, Ben Naday attended and discussed the proposed Enduring Agreement between the Government, RFSQ and the RFBAQ to replace the Volunteer Charter that expired last year. This is the first time since 2005 that there has not been an in-force agreement between Government, RFSQ and the RFBAQ to work towards a better world for brigades and brigade members.
Proposed boundary changes and many, many other matters were discussed by the elected representatives and the a/Chief of Staff.
Approved grants
Hervey range RFB in the Goldfields RFSQ Area has been approved for $4,950 to purchase and install a 2.2kVa generator with changeover switchboard.
The brigade loses power during fires and storms, and the generator will run the bore pump to access water to fill the fire trucks and also to open the powered roller doors.
Hervey range RFB does not receive a Local Government Rural Fire Levy.
Previous RFBAQ grants have been for a FLiR, $3,647 in a Buy Local Grant for mower, BBQ, security cameras and another $1,994 Buy Local Grant for a laptop and printer.
Purono Park RFB in the Townsville RFSQ Area has been approved for $2,790 for a 3 x 6m printed marquee with side and rear walls. This will be used for community engagement as well as operationally during extended incidents.
Purono Park RFB receives $1,070 annually from the Local Government Rural Fire Levy.
Previous RFBAQ grants have been for a FLiR and $4,739 in a Buy Local Grant for power tools.
Abbot Point RFB in the Mackay RFSQ Area has been approved for $1,719 for Milwaukee chainsaw, angle grinder, and accessories.
Abbot point RFB does not receive a Local Government Rural Fire Levy.
Here is a link to previously funded RFBAQ Grants - https://www.rfbaq.org/previous-grants
Thankyou to all of the representatives who volunteered another weekend of their time to try and improve the support that brigades and brigade members receive and another huge thankyou to Ian Pike AFSM and Gary Patzwald for their many years of giving for the benefit of the brigades.
