Fundraising walk takes in Noojee bush scenery

A fundraising walk that takes in some stunning scenery is an obvious win-win for participants and one that Noojee Rural Fire Brigade is hoping to capitalise on later this month.

The brigade has mapped out an 18-kilometre route along fire access tracks through some steep terrain in scenic country on Saturday, April 22, to help raise funds to buy a new Field Command Vehicle (FCV). People shouldn’t feel daunted by the course. There’ll be plenty of support along the route with “sweeping” walkers, regular checkpoints, traffic controllers at road crossings and a vehicle to pick up those that feel they are unable to finish.

It will be an early start – at 7.30am – with the start and finish at the Heritage Centre in Noojee.

Estimates are that the walk will take between four and five hours.

Celebrations are planned at the finish to add to the attraction of the event. There is an entry fee of $35 per person. Noojee brigade captain Peter Skinner said about half of the $70,000 target for the new vehicle had already been raised.

This year’s fund-raiser is a bit different to the usual meat raffles or silent auctions and “you won’t get a more beautiful route to walk,” he said.

A FCV is a four-wheel drive vehicle used by an incident controller to control on the fire ground and is fitted with two radios to enable communication between fire fighters and the dispatch centre.

The unit the brigade bought six years ago is now due for replacement, Mr Skinner said.

Registrations for the walk can be made at www.noojeeCFA.com