BY GEOFF PENNA
A statewide call for support during bushfires last February left several district communities without sufficient fire-fighting equipment and firefighters.
Elmhurst, near Ararat, was one such community left vulnerable. Its tanker was away for 19 consecutive days and manned by 23 firefighters who volunteered for three-day shifts - six of these volunteers answered the call to return on a second deployment in the Yea-Murrundindi area.
The fact that Elmhurst fire station was left vacant stirred the thoughts of Wimmera Hills Winery operators Ben and Jane Baker, who offered to sell wine as a fundraiser for a $120,000 ultra-light strike tanker.
The Baker's generosity has so far led to the sale of more than 500 bottles of Fire Engine Red wine, with $9 from every bottle donated to the purchase of the tanker.
Ben, who was part of the fire-fighting team in February 2009, said Wimmera Hills Winery was delighted to donate to what he declared a worthy cause.
"It seemed as though every tanker and every crew from neighbouring brigades were there with us. On the way home there was much thought and discussion of what we could do to help those in need," he said.
"Sadly we can't afford to simply donate the kind of money it takes to buy the tanker, but we do have sufficient premium wine in stock to bottle a special fundraising label - so the Fire Engine Red concept was born."
Elmhurst Fire Brigade captain Jonathon Keith said a smaller ultra-light strike tanker would mean the area had some form of rapid initial attack on a fire in the immediate area if the CFA-owned taker was away.
In another major boon to the fund-raising project, the Victorian Sporting Shooters' Association has been so inspired by Wimmera Hills Winery that members have pledged $8000 from a Fire Recovery Fund.
Captain Keith said he was overwhelmed by the generosity of both organisations which had helped raise more than $13,000.
• Fire Engine Red is a premium 2007 shiraz. People can place orders through Wimmera Hills Winery website www.wimmerahills.com.au. Further information is available at fireenginered.org.au.