Lithium-ion Battery Safety
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.
March 2025
It may be Autumn but there is still plenty of fire activity happening. Newstead Big Fill was part of Strike team 0290 Strathloddon group of fire brigades to attend the Pipers Creek fire yesterday afternoon, some 20 Hectares of grass and scrub burnt on private property east of Kyneton. Due care still needs to be maintained in these dry conditions in regards to fires out in the open.
January 2025
The Newstead brigade responded to a stubble fire spreading in Muckleford South. A landowner working with machinery in a stubble paddock inadvertently sparked the fire. Worth noting, there was nothing wrong with the work the landowner was doing. There are no limitations on work other than those that normally exist within the fire danger period. However, the combination of a hot day, dry stubble and a spark, meant a fire quickly developed.
December 2024
Brigade members attended a grass fire at Strangways in a stubble paddock. Our thanks to Guildford and Franklinford Fire Brigades for your assistance and a good response from Newstead members meant we were able to contain the fire to the paddock of origin.
