Image: Field of View Sports Photography
Over 100 CFA urban and rural brigades have left their mark on Stawell over two action packed weekends, at the 2026 CFA/VFBV State Firefighter Championships.
The Urban Juniors kicked off proceedings on 21-22 March followed by the Urban and Rural Seniors and Rural Juniors finishing proceedings on 28-29 March.
Competition was fierce, with the team from Osborne Park taking out the Urban Senior competition and Leopold A claiming the Rural Seniors. While in the Juniors, it was Beazley's Bridge A (Rural) and Echuca A (Urban), who claimed the honours.
It was the first time since 2006 that Stawell has hosted the event, and the compact nature of the set up proved a hit, with spectators easily able to swap between viewing urban and rural events within a short distance.
The market display area also drew strong interest, with the latest next generation pumper proving a popular attraction.
Inside the operational doctrine training tent, members and visitors engaged with the latest virtual reality technology, including CFA's new driving simulator and a world class aviation simulator.
The annual Torchlight Procession lit up the town (on 28 March), with more than 40 brigades lining Stawell's historic main street with LED torches.
Acting CFA Chief Officer Alen Slijepcevic AFSM said the Championships remain one of the organisation's most important traditions.
"The State Championships are always a great opportunity for our volunteers to get together. Especially this year after the extremely tough fire season we've had so far," Alen said.
"It's been great to speak with our members from all over the state across both weekends and I am in awe of their commitment to their communities and to CFA."
Some competitors even travelled from across the country to take part, including the team from Harvey in Western Australia.
Harvey coach Mitch Golding said the journey to Stawell was all part of the experience.
"A few of our members made the long drive across the Nullarbor," Mitch said.
"It's a big trip, but it's something the team has committed to for a long time. This would be around our 30th Championships, so it's a tradition for us.
"But once you're here, it's all worth it. The facilities are great, the competition is strong, and it's a chance to catch up with people we don't see very often."
The 2027 CFA/VFBV State Championships will again take place in Stawell on 13-14 and 20-21 March at North Park Reserve.
Results from both weekends can be found below:
RURAL SENIOR FINAL AGGREGATE RESULTS – Full results here
DIVISION 1
1st Leopold A 56 points
2nd Eldorado A 42 points
3rd Moorooduc A 38 points
DIVISION 2
1st Mandurang A 48 points
2nd Leopold B 36 points
3rd Hurstbridge B 32 points
DIVISION 3
1st Hurstbridge D 42 points
2nd Glenlyon A 34 points
3rd Mandurang B 32 points
FEMALE AGGREGATE
1st Eldorado E 45 points
2nd Mandurang C 18 points
3rd Napoleons/Enfield C 16 points
Alan King AFSM Memorial Conduct Trophy: Eldorado Brigade
RURAL JUNIOR FINAL AGGREGATE RESULTS – Full results here
11 – 13 YEARS AGGREGATE
1st Beazley's Bridge A 80 points
2nd Leopold A 22 points
3rd Mandurang A 20 points
11 – 15 YEARS AGGREGATE
1st Napoleons-Enfield A 64 points
2nd Beazley's Bridge A 46 points
3rd Ascot & District A 28 points
CHAMPION TEAM
1st Beazley's Bridge A 126 points
2nd Napoleons-Enfield A 64 points
3rd Ascot & District A 28 points
VFBV State President Encouragement Award winner: Mannerim 11-13 Years
Stan Ross Conduct Trophy winner: Gapsted
URBAN SENIOR FINAL AGGREGATE RESULTS – Full results here
Dry Aggregate
1st Tatura 21 points
2nd Maryvale 16 points
3rd Melton White 11 points
Wet Aggregate
1st Osborne park orange 56 points
2nd Cohuna 46 points
3rd Melton maroon 44 points
Female Aggregate
1st Echuca 47 points
2nd Warracknabeal 29 points
3rd Tatura 23 points
SECTION AGGREGATES
'A' SECTION
1st Osborne park orange 64 points
2nd Melton maroon 52 points
3rd Tatura 43 points
'A' SECTION WET AGGREGATE
1st Osborne park orange 56 points
2nd Melton maroon 44 points
=3rd Echuca a & Tatura 22 points
'A' SECTION APPLIANCE AGGREGATE
1st Dandenong 11 points
=2nd Melton Maroon & Osborne Park Orange 8 points
'B' SECTION
1st Cohuna 49 points
2nd Creswick 48 points
3rd Osborne park green 29 points
'B' SECTION WET AGGREGATE
1st Cohuna 46 points
2nd Creswick 43 points
=3rd Kangaroo Flat & Warrnambool 19 points
'B' SECTION APPLIANCE AGGREGATE
1st Cohuna 18 points
=2nd Creswick & Warrnambool 13 points
2026 CHAMPION COMPETITOR
=1st Jeremy Withall (Tatura) and Bailey Rhodes (Melton Maroon) 24 points
3rd Devante Jones (Melton Maroon) 21 points
2026 CHAMPION BRIGADE: Osborne Park Orange
The team members of Osborne Park Orange are:
1. Leigh Barclay
2. Matt Bolger
3. Nathan Bolger
4. Aiden Couzens
5. James Mullins
6. Jaxon Winsall
And coach – Col Jordan
URBAN JUNIOR FINAL AGGREGATE RESULTS – Full results here
DRY AGGREGATE
1st Echuca A 47 points
2nd Grovedale A 21 points
=3rd Melton A and Warracknabeal A 19 points
WET AGGREGATE
1st Echuca A 35 points
2nd Kyneton 25 points
3rd Melton A 24 points
UNDER 14 YEARS AGGREGATE
1st Grovedale A 26 points
2nd Kyneton 25 points
3rd Melton A 24 points
UNDER 17 YEARS AGGREGATE
1st Echuca A 64 points
2nd Melton A 19 points
3rd Warracknabeal A 16 points
GRAND AGGREGATE
1st Echuca A 82 points
2nd Melton A 43 points
3rd Grovedale A 40 points
2026 CHAMPION TEAM
The team members of BRIGADE are:
1. Jack Alberni
2. Lucas Brackenhofer
3. Archie Collier
4. Connor Drinkwell
5. Xavier Moylan
6. Amber Schmedje
7. Mason Whinfield
8. Ben Wills
9. Jasmine Wills
10. Emily Zatleff
And Coaches: Jordan Simpson, Colin Atkinson, Kirra Strickleton, Kaylea Blake and Captain Daniel Moylan
