Lithium-ion Battery Safety
October 2025
Sunday 19th October the Strathloddon Group of fire brigades conducted our annual group training exercise in preparation for this summer’s fire danger period.
Crews were tested in basic dry firefighting skills, offensive attack on a running grass fire and the ability to refill their own tankers “sucking” water from a static source such as a dam or river. These skills are vital in ensuring our efficiency and safety on the fire ground this summer.
In a historical first for Newstead Fire Brigade, we had one tanker made up of an all female crew. A mix of new, younger members and seasoned veterans the crew did a superb job all working together and are a valuable asset to our brigade.
The Strathloddon Group of brigades is made up of:
Newstead Fire Brigade,
Campbell’s Creek Fire Brigade,
Guildford Fire Brigade,
Fryerstown Fire Brigade,
Maldon Fire Brigade,
Walmer Fire Brigade, and
Baringhup West Fire Brigade.
Our thanks to our local community for your understanding while we moved in and out of town at times.
September 2025
A busy start to September for the brigade with us being paged to another fire just after midday today. This time it was to a diesel powered van on fire at Sandon. No one was injured in the incident however the vehicle was completely destroyed by fire. Crews wearing breathing apparatus were able to quickly extinguish the fire and stop it spreading to nearby grass and bush, assisted by recent rain.
August 2025
On Sunday 3rd August, Members from the Newstead fire brigade travelled to VEMTC Huntly a purpose built training facility, where they practiced their skills. Crews conducted multiple house fire scenarios, involving members wearing breathing apparatus and entering a structure filled with smoke and flames (provided by strategically positioned gas burners). This replicates the heat and smoky environment encountered when entering a burning building.
Crews then went on to encounter multiple car fires, and shed fires, with simulated casualties (mannequins).
Crews were tested in hose, nozzle and water control, offensive and defensive fire attack tactics, command and control and many other skills vital to our role in protecting you and your property.
June 2025
On Monday the 16th June, the brigade was paged to support Maldon to a shed on fire, mid-way between Maldon and Newstead. Upon arrival it was discovered a shed fully involved in fire, with an adjoining house under immediate threat.
Members from Maldon and supported by additional crews from Newstead donned breathing apparatus and commenced an aggressive attack on the fire in an attempt to prevent it extending into the house, and through their great work, we were able to save the building, although the shed was a total loss.
The exact cause is being investigated but is not considered to be suspicious.
May 2025
NEWSTEAD CAPTAIN RECEIVES CFA’s HIGHEST HONOUR
On the night of 24th May 2025, the Newstead Fire Brigade held their Annual Awards night. It was a great night attended by some 70 people, including most of the brigade’s operational and support members and their families.
Well known to nearly everyone in town, Doug Richardson has been an integral part of the Newstead CFA for over 45 years and has been the Captain of the brigade for nearly 40 of those years; a feat not matched by many. He has seen significant change in the brigade not only in membership, but equipment, buildings, vehicles, tactics and techniques during his many years of service. Not only that, but he has also seen his fair share of major fire events, road accidents, grass fires, floods and anything else you can think of to which the CFA responds.
This year, Doug was awarded the CFA Outstanding Service Medal, the highest award in the CFA system, outside of valour awards. It is a fitting tribute to a man who has dedicated so many years to the protection of life and property to the community of Newstead and surrounding districts.
This year, the brigade instituted their own awards to recognise the special efforts of some of our members.
Scott Chaney was awarded the inaugural Rookie of the Year award in recognition of his enthusiasm and commitment to developing his fire-fighting skills since joining the brigade.
Chris Simmins was awarded the Captain’s Award and was also presented with the Simmins Family Memorial Plaque in honour of his family being the driving force behind the brigade’s support of the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday appeal.
The “Russell Hodges” Memorial Shield for Brigade member of the year was awarded to Ron Archer. This award is in recognition of our late friend Russell Hodges who passed away suddenly only two years ago. During his time in the brigade, Russell became a highly valued member who was always around and could always be relied upon for just about anything. This award is named in his honour, and it is only fitting that Ron Archer, be the inaugural winner. Ron is one of our most reliable members, always on hand when the pager goes off and doing sterling work in running the Newstead Community Market.
CFA Service Awards are presented to a member after 5 years of service, with subsequent medals being awarded for 10 years and every 5 years after that. On this occasion, there were 13 members who received awards ranging from 10 years, right up to 45 years of service, including three CFA Life Members. Notably, four members of the former ladies’ auxiliary; Bev Richardson, Joan Sartori, Lorraine Burgess and Carmel Longmire, were recognised for their unwavering support of the brigade by receiving their 45-year service medals.
The National Medal recognises prolonged exposure to hazardous circumstances in the service of the community. A medal is awarded after 15 years’ service, with a clasp for each additional 10 years, for a maximum of 45 years. This year, saw seventeen members of the brigade presented with this honour, including Don Hepburn who was recognised for his 45+ years of service to the Newstead community.
All in all, a great night was had by all who attended with some coming from interstate to share in the event.
On behalf of the members of the Newstead Fire Brigade we would like to congratulate Doug Richardson and all the members who received awards and on behalf of the community, thank you for your service to Newstead and surrounding districts.
April 2025
.The Newstead fire brigade turned out yesterday (Sunday 6th) to support Campbelltown at a stubble burn off out of control. Newstead Tankers 1 and 2 along with our Forward Command Vehicle (FCV) and Big Fill all attended, another strong turnout with 13 members responding. The brigade conducted mopping up operations along the creek area that had stopped the run of the fire, another excellent job conducted by our members. Once again, we must comment on the dry conditions at the present time with a bit of warm weather later in the week, the chance of a fire increases in our local area.
April 2025
At around 9pm last night (Sat 5 Apr) the brigade was paged to a single vehicle accident on the Newstead-Maldon Rd, just outside of town. On arrival a vehicle with one male occupant was found off the side of the road. The driver was attended to by ambulance, however was released from the scene with only minor bumps.
March 2025
Newstead Tanker 1 and our Big Fill responded to support Baringhup West fire brigade at a stubble Burn off out of control on the Baringhup West road yesterday.The dry conditions are contributing to the escape of burn offs when being carried out.
