Happy to help … Werribee Fire Brigade Auxilliary members, from left, Heather Kendall, Mary Craig, Mavis Watterson, Evelyn Pengelly and Alicia Mummery. 55092 Picture: DAMJAN JANEVSKI
By Alesha Capone
ALICIA Mummery and Mavis Watterson were fired up with enthusiasm about celebrating the Werribee Fire Brigade Auxilliary’s 50th anniversary recently.
The auxilliary, which has 22 members and is one of the biggest in the state, is made up of females, many of whom are partners of the CFA members.
“We did have one male but he left us after awhile to become a firefighter,” Ms Mummery said.
She is the group’s president, while Ms Watterson was among the founding members of the auxilliary more than five decades ago.
Her husband, who has passed away, was captain of the crew and her son and grandson are also members of the brigade.
“I look forward to going to the meetings every month and socialising with the ladies,” Ms Watterson said.
Firefighting is also a family affair for Ms Mummery, who has been in the auxilliary 14 years.
Her husband has been a firefighter for 22 years and her daughter is a member of the CFA’s Junior Volunteer Development Program.
In addition, her father-in-law is career firefighter and his wife is also a member of the Werribee Fire Brigade Auxilliary.
The auxilliary’s main tasks are fundraising for the brigade and catering on days when there are big fires, as well as raising money for other charities.
Ms Mummery still remembers helping out during the Werribee Secondary College blaze of 2004, when the firefighters were out for two days.
“The ladies worked really hard across those couple of days,” she said.
“What I enjoy most about being in the auxilliary is the fact that it’s like an extension of your own family.
“We’re all very good friends and have lots of good times, we have a lot of fun.”
Anyone who wants to volunteer with the Werribee CFA or the auxilliary can contact 9742 7009 to find out more.
