Tatura CFA brigade members have celebrated the opening of their brand-new fire station as they mark the brigade's 126th year.
The new station features three motor-room bays, a large brigade meeting room and a local command facility for use by the Greater Shepparton City catchment of brigades.
The new $2m building replaces the former station which was almost 50 years old.
CFA Deputy Chief Officer Peter O'Keefe and Assistant Chief Fire Officer Tony Owen joined brigade members as local MP Mark Gepp officially opened the new building.
Tatura Captain Trevor Franklin, who led the brigade as it marched into its new station, said the new facility will help the brigade better serve and protect the community.
"It's exciting to have a new fit-for-purpose facility to help us serve the growing Tatura community," he said.
"Not only will the brigade have better meeting and member facilities, the new station will also feature a Local Command Facility that can be activated to manage larger incidents in the area, including major fires.
"It also provides an improved training area that can be used by our own brigade as well as visiting brigades from the area.
"Some of the funding has come from community donations and we'd like to thank everyone who has supported this project."
District 22 Assistant Chief Fire Officer Tony Owen said Tatura brigade has been involved in many significant fires throughout its 126-year history, both locally and further afar on deployments into NSW for example.
"During the most recent fire season, the brigade was called to several significant grassfires in the local area after higher-than-average rainfall led to heavy fuel loads in pastures and crops," he said.
"After missing out on celebrating the brigade's 125th anniversary due to the 2019/20 fire season and then the COVID-19 pandemic, it's great to be here today to celebrate the brigade's rich history and bright future where these new facilities will allow the volunteers to continue doing what they do best - protecting lives and property.
"I would like to thank the brigade for their invaluable service to their local community and beyond."
