The Dimboola Urban Fire Brigade will thank the community for their support in building their new fire station with a public opening day on Sunday.

The event will take place at 1 pm on Sunday at the new fire station on the corner of High and Victoria Streets and will be followed by a sausage sizzle and station tours.

The new $2.07 million station is a modern, fit-for-purpose facility that replaced the Lloyd Street station built in 1915, where the brigade has been based for over one hundred years.

The state-of-the-art station has three large engine bays, a multi-purpose room for meetings and training, enhanced kitchen and laundry facilities and office spaces. The new complex is the home of the Dimboola Urban Fire Brigade and the Ebenezer Group’s headquarters, encompassing the Antwerp, Detpa, Gerang, Jeparit, and Tarranyurk brigades.

An official ceremony was held last month when the brigade was joined by CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan, Deputy Chief Officer Brett Boatman and Member for Western Victoria, Jacinta Ermacora MP, representing the Minister for Emergency Services to open the new station.

Dimboola Captain Ash Wallace said the new High Street site will boost the brigade’s ability to protect and support the community.

“Our 41 members are thoroughly enjoying operating from the new station, and it will be a great asset for the future growth of the brigade membership,” Ash said.

“The increased engine bay space allows us to comfortably fit our firefighting vehicles and any new modern vehicles in the future.

“It’s also really valuable to see improved features as part of the design such as better equipment storage and Breathing Apparatus cleaning facilities.”

The brigade contributed $93,000 to construction costs through community fundraising.

Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said he was proud to join the brigade to help mark the official opening of its new station.

“This new Dimboola Fire Station is an impressive facility which will further empower our volunteers to continue carrying out their important role in protecting lives and property now and well into the future,” CO Heffernan said.

“I thank the Dimboola volunteers for their ongoing, invaluable service to their community, and I look forward to seeing the brigade grow in the future.”