The ACTVBA is excited to be selected as one of the 12 official charities for the 2023 Canberra Community Chest Race Day at Thoroughbred park. As part of the event the ACTVBA are in the running to win up to $25,000 from a $50,00 prize pool to be distributed between the partner charities and community groups. All funds raised by the VNA at the event will provide seed funding for the VBA’s new firefighter foundation.

The event will take place on Saturday 25 November 2023 at Thoroughbred Park with entry from 11am and races starting at 2.30pm. All ACT RFS members receive complimentary entry by showing their ACTRFS ID Card at the gate. All ACTRFS volunteer firefighters are invited to come along and join their colleagues in the charity Partner Precinct at the course.

 If you have any questions relating to the event please reach out to Allison Ballard at actvolunteerbrigades@gmail.com

As this is a ACTVBA event, no ACT Government Branding, or ACTRFS uniforms or branding should be worn, used, or visible at the event.

The Annual General Meeting of CAVFA will be held by zoom on Monday 21st August 2023 at 10am at Novotel South Bank, 38 Cordelia St, South Brisbane (Australian Eastern Daylight Savings Time).

The ninth annual National Memorial Service will honour the courage and sacrifice of fire and emergency personnel who have died in the line of duty. An AFAC Memorial Medallion will be presented to families, and the service will acknowledge additional names to the Memorial Wall. The service will take place Friday 12 May at 8:45am AEST at the National Emergency Services Memorial on the banks of Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra.

This is a free event open to AFAC members and the general public. For more information about attending in person, visit the National Memorial Service event page.

On Friday 12 May, fire and emergency personnel, families and dignitaries will gather in Canberra to commemorate those who have died in the line of duty.  AFAC invites those who cannot attend this year's National Memorial Service in person to access the livestream of the event via AFAC YouTube.
 

National Memorial Service livestream

The National Memorial Service livestream will activate at 8.45am AEST on Friday 12 May. 

ACTRFS Women Firefighters: Heavy Vehicle Driving Familiarisation Day

RSVP: to Remy.Lagana@act.gov.au by Monday 24 April 2023

Saturday 6 May 2023, 0900-1300 hours

5 Flemington Road, Lyneham, ACT, 2602.

This event is for any member who identifies as female and who holds a regular car licence (you don’t need a truck licence). The experience is open to both active firefighters and support members. The day will involve a short presentation followed by the chance to jump in a truck and go for a drive in a safe and supportive environment. The idea is to give volunteers the opportunity to think about whether becoming a driver for their brigade is something they might want to do. It's not just for new drivers, if you have experience we would really appreciate you coming along to assist.

The ACTRFS Women’s Network is a community which supports and connects women across the ACTRFS. We will build a community of confident leaders who proudly share our skills, experiences and differences, thereby paving the way for those who follow.

Bushfires and belly-laughs - finding laughter in tragedy

Nick Schuller is a standup comedian who is bringing his new environmentally-themed show Fire Brand to the Canberra Comedy Festival on 17 March. The show is about Nick’s family’s frontline experiences in the 2019 Black Summer bushfires and uncovers the funny side of climate change, environmental issues, fire fighting and loss.  Nick’s family lost their home in the Black Summer fires but their experiences with the NSWRFS were incredible and they will always be indebted for their efforts in trying to save their house. The show is hugely relatable to the RFS volunteer firefighters and Nick would love some RFS members to attend the show.

Brooke, one of our wonderful volunteer firefighters from Rivers ACTRFS Brigade was recently diagnosed with Glioblastoma. Brooke has since started a foundation to assist those that care for, or have Glioblastoma and to fundraise research for this disease. We know that many of you will want to support Brooke and Glioblastoma Australia, so we have decided to have an RFS Trivia Night! It will also be a great opportunity to get together, have some laughs and raise money for a great cause. Tickets will be $10 each with all proceeds going directly to Glioblastoma Australia. There will be prizes up for grabs as well as a silent auction. Bring gold coins for other games!

Tickets: http://stks.be/rfs-trivia-for-glioblastoma-australia

You have the option of purchasing single tickets, or a table of ten. If you purchase single tickets, we will try to sit you with other members of your brigade unless you send through specific seating requests. This is an ACTRFS event, but anyone is welcome!

Save the Date: Tuesday 15 November 2022

ACTRFS SOCIAL EVENT & ‘NERRIGA FIRESTORM’ FILM LAUNCH

The ACTVBA is supporting an early season ACTRFS social event around the launch of Martin Greenwood’s awesome short film documentary 'Nerriga Firestorm', together with a panel discussion from some of those at the front-line, followed by food and drinks in a central location. As a volunteer led and run event, with support from ACTRFS, we are hoping to cover costs, so the event will have a modest ticket price. We ask that brigades consider supporting members with a subsidy (as needed) to ensure the event is accessible. Brigades are also welcome to consider a contribution to the event. Please contact Martin Greenwood via martincgreenwood@hotmail.com with any enquiries or interest.