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Front Cover: A blaze extensively damaged Woolloongabba's Historic Broadway Hotel. Photographs courtesy of Matt Hayes.

page 1UFU - Queensland Journal

Queensland Firefighter

The United Firefighters

Union of Australia

Queensland Branch

Ground Floor

286 Montague Road

West End Qld 4101

Phone: 07 3844 0366

Fax: 07 3844 0367

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.ufuq.asn.au

Editors: Steve Bunney & Leanne Nolte

Publisher and Advertising:

Dowd Publications Pty Ltd

Suite 9

Dominion House

34 Dominions Road

Ashmore Qld 4214

Phone: 1800 621 533

Fax: 1800 066 787

Email:

[email protected]

•State Secretary's Report - John Oliver .............2

•State President's Report - Steve Bunney ..........5

•Junior Vice President - Ron Raverty .................8

• Allan Young - Life Member UFUQ .....................10

• This Ones For Groove .........................................12

• A Brief Summary of the Nerang Fire Brigade's History as overviewed in the Gold Coast Bulletin 24th April 1973 .....................................16

•UFUQ Merchandise Shop .................................19

•New Union Merchandise .................................20

•Auxiliary Draft Agreement Consulation .........27

• Workers Compensation ...................................30

•The Old South Coast Brigade - By Allan Burrows-Part 3 ....................................32

UFU - Queensland Journalpage 2 UFU - Queensland Journal


StateSecretary'sReportJohn Oliver

Networking

Part of the role of State Secretary is to meet withotherUnionleadersthathaveasimilarmembershipprofile. The Union that represents Ambulanceemployees (LHMU), Queensland Police Union andtheQPSUfallintothiscategory.IhavenowcontactedtheStateSecretariesthatpresenttheseUnion'sandhaveaskedthatwemeettodiscussissuesthataffectourmembersasagroup.TheresponsehasbeenenthusiasticandIwilldoeverythingthatIcantostrengthenourcollectiverelationshipoverthecomingyears.

Firefighters, Paramedics and Police can add a considerable amount of weight to anydisagreement!

TheRuralFireBrigadeAssociation,whichrepresentsRuralVolunteersacrossQueenslandis another important body. We have already formed a working relationship with theirExecutiveandwenowlookforwardtoprogressingissuesthathaveanimpactontheRuralandUrban landscape.Oneof theirconcernswhichhasalreadybeendiscussed, isRuralemployeesandvolunteersbeingparadedaroundinUrbanuniformswhichmakesitalmostimpossibletodistinguishbetweenourrolesandthespecialskillsthateachservicehas.

I believe that by forming these partnerships, we can achieve more results for ourmembershipbase.Communications Centre

I wish to thank those who participated in the teleconference for our first ever Firecomtelephone conference between our Communication Centres. Communications CentreDelegateBearAmos,StatePresidentSteveBunneyandIndustrialOfficerPaulaNewmandidawonderfuljobgettingeveryonetogetherforthisevent.Themostimportantthingnowistotransfermembersinputintotangibleresults.IhaveaskedSteveBunneytoensurethatthishappensandIamconfidentofagoodresult.

UFU Branches

UFU - Queensland Journal


From time-to-time our Branches need additional support and resources. Our SCMelectedOfficialshavegivenacommitmenttoensurethatsupportfromtheStateOfficeisforthcomingwhenneeded.Thissupportcancomeinmanyformssuchas:UnionDelegatetraining,WHSsupport,orIndustrialRelationssupport.Ifyouhaveissuesthatyouneedhelpwith,pleasegivemeacallsowecandiscussyourneeds.

Elections

OnceagainelectionsareabouttooccuracrossQueenslandforLocalandStateCommitteeofManagementpositions.BeingpartoftheUFUismorethanrewarding,itisinputintoyourownfuture.Forthosewhothinktheyhavewhatittakes,pleasefillinanominationformandbecomeinvolvedinYOURUnion.NominationsfortheunfilledLocalandStateCommitteeofManagementpositionswillopeninearlyJanuary.Ifyouareunsureofwhatthepositionentails,pleasecontacttheHeadOfficeandmyselforotherstaffmemberswillbemorethanhappytohelpansweranyquestionsyoumayhave.

WHS

Iwish to thankChrisRobinson forhisdedicationandhardworkover therecentmonths.ChrisisonanumberofCommittee’sdealingwithandlookingafterourbestinterests.NextyearwillseeaUFUagendathatwillauditourFireStationsandmakesurethattheycomplywithWHSlegislation.SomeAuxiliarystationsdon’thaverunninghotandcoldwater,showersorthelike.TheseStationswillneedtobeidentifiedbeforewecanmoveforwardwiththisissue.

If youbelieveyourstationdoesnotcomplywithWHS legislation,pleaseemail theUnionofficeonufu@ufuq.asn.auandwewillhelpdealwithyourcomplianceissues.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

IhopethatyouandyourfamilieshaveahappyandsafeChristmasbreakandIlookforwardtorepresentingyourinterestsin2011.

John OliverState Secretary



StatePresident'sReportSteve Bunney

WhatisthevalueofalocalUFUbranch?

Everyoneunderstandsthatthestateofficereceiveslotsofphonecallsandemailsonadailybasisoverindustrial issues and after taking numerous calls,I began to wonder why some of the issues raisedhadn’tbeenresolvedbythelocalUFUbranch.

Nowdon’tgetmewrong,Ihavenoproblemtalkingtoandwithmembers,infacttheStateSecretarythinkssometimesIprobablytalktoomuch,period.HoweverwhatIwastodiscoverwasourmemberswereeitherunawaretheyhadalocalbranchorthebranchhadlapsedduetonoelecteddelegates?Ibeganaskingregionaldelegatesastowhywe“theunion”were inthisposition. Thereoccurringmainreasonsbegan to surface, 1/ NoSupport from theunion, 2/nooneknowsall theawardsandagreements.3/nooneknowshowtorunabranchorwhat’sexpectedfromtheexecutivesofalocalbranch.

IfirmlybelievethatwithoutallourlocalUFUBranchesinplace,fullysupported,resourcedand ready to represent our members, our Union will have had lost or weakened itsfoundationsonwhichtobuild.Itgoestoreasonthatwithoutsound,solidfoundationstherewillbenosuperUFUfortressbuilt.AnunrepresentedworkplaceallowsQFRSmanagementfree reign to implement decisions or procedures that are just plain unsafe andmay goagainstcertifiedagreementsorawardconditions,withoutdisputeorquestioning. Weallknowthatoncetherehasbeenonedodgydecisionmade, itgivesrisetomoreandmoreandsoonerratherthenlater,there’sawholetorrentofpoliciesandlocalisedproceduresfloatingyourwayandweallknowtheysmellallthewhilecompletelyunquestionedbyanyrepresentativebody!!!!!!!!

IhavemadeapromisetotheStateSecretarytogetUFUBranchesacrossthestateupandrunningandtothisdate,Ihavestartedmakingsomeinroads.SomeofourBranchesacrossthe State have seen first handmy promise and commitment to them and I have wholeheartedly pledgedmy support, the support of the State office and it resources to assisttheminthereduties.Letsbeveryclear,wearetheunion,ustherankandfileofthefireservice.Ifthere’sanotherprofessionmoresuitedtobeingauniondelegate,youbestletmeknow.Everyoneknowsthatfiriesworkbestunderpressure,welearnquickly,cantellwhensomeone’slyingtousandwedon’tsellourmatesout,aboveallwhenthechipsaredown,there’snoonebettertohavestandingrightbesideyouthanafirefighter.Firefightersexude



naturallywhatUnionsaroundtheworldbuildtherestrengthon…….”SOLIDARITY”.

So are you ready for a challenge, willing to stand up for yourmates? Do you want theopportunitytochallengedecisionsthatimpactonyourworklife?WellgivemecallandIwillbeonlytooeagertoassistyouandyourbranchtogoforwardinitseffortsofrepresentingUFUmembers.Ichallengeyou,putmetothetest.Iwillnotwaiverinmyeffortstoassistourmembersandbranches.

Recently I attended the fallen firefighter memorials on the Gold Coast and visited ourmembers in Rockhampton, Gladstone, Yeppoon. To Dain Johnson andBruce Lawrie andteamatRocky,thanksforyourhospitality,itwasanhonourtoattendaUFUbranchmeetingatthebirthplaceofourunion.Asidenote,itwasgreattoseethepassionstillaliveandwellinRocky.ToKristalJohnstonandGavinThomasandteaminGladstone,thingsareonlyjustbeginningforyourBranchandyourmembersarerightbehindyou,sokeepatit.YouhavemytotalsupportandIlookforwardtocelebratingmanyachievementswithyouallnexttimeI’mintown,so“gogetem”.

And finally, recently therewas a line in the sand drawn in theNorthCoast region and Istoodproudly,shoulder-to-shoulderbesideourSunshineCoastbranchexecutivesintheirfighttobetakenseriouslybyQFRSmanagementandtheresubsequentindustrialaction.TotheSunshineCoastUFUbranchexecutive,ShanePasterfield,BevanMcPherson,CameronHerbetandofcoursethereliableasever“Thommo”awelldoneisinorder.Theresultthatwas achieved is a reflection of the effort by your team and the resolve displayed, whichwas reverberated by yourmembers that night, will ensure that on the Sunshine Coast,firefightersconcernsWILLbeheardandtakenseriouslyandfirefightersWILLbeconsultedwithonallissuesthatmayimpactonthereworklife.Averyspecialexperienceandinthetruesenseofthewords,brothersandsisters,I’mproudtobeUnion.

Wellit’sthattimeofyearagain,whenthefestiveseasoncomesaroundandthestressesofbeinganemergencyserviceworkerhitshome.Wehaveallwitnesseditandnowthenewestmemberstoourprofessionwillbeexperiencingfirsthandthepainsofwatchingfriendsandfamilygatherforcelebrationsknowingtheyhavetoreturntoshiftlaterthatdayorinthemorning.AsFireandRescueprofessionalswehaveswornanoathtoprotectandserveourcommunities,sevendaysaweek, fifty-twoweeksayear. It’susuallyat thesetimeswhenwestart tocurseour job.AsEmergencyServiceworkers,due to its impedimentsonourhomelife,westarttoresentthatitrestrictsourabilitytofullyrelaxandenjoytheChristmashospitalitywhenitseemslikeeveryoneelseislettingtherehairdownandgettingintothespiritofChristmas.



AsChristmastimeservestoremindusthatourrole isuniqueandtheresponsibilitythatwe have to our community and ourselves is omnipotent. Our skills, professionalism anddedicationwillbecalledonbysomeone inourcommunityduringthis festiveperiod, letsbeatourbesttodelivertheserviceinwhichwearetheprofessionalsandensurethelevelofservicewe'reexpectedtodeliverisofthehigheststandardbutalldonesafely.Iaskyouplease,please,pleasebecarefuloutthere,whendoingyourjob,whereveritmaybe.ShareintheChristmasspiritandnotbecomeone.Let’skeepawatchfuleyeonallourbrothersandsisterssafety.

MerryChristmastoallourmembersandyourfamily’s.

Solidarity

Steve BunneyState President



JuniorVicePresidentRon Raverty

IjoinedtheMetropolitanFireBrigadebackinJanuary1979workingatRomaStreetandKempPlacemostofthefirst15yearsasanallcardriver.ThentomostofthestationsonthenorthsideofBrisbane,untilIwasaskedtogotoSafetyEquipmentin2002tolearnthejobthereanddotheholidayreliefs.Hereitis2010andiamstillatSafetyEquipment.

IwasalwaysaunionmanevenbeforeIwaselected,tryingtoupholdourconditionsandrightsasFireOfficers.

IwasaskedtobecomeaFirefighterDelegateforBrisbaneNorthinthosedays,IthoughtifIcouldmakeadifferencetomyworkplaceandconditionsitwouldhelpnotonlyme,buteveryfirefighterinQueensland,thatwas1997.IheldthatpositionofBrisbaneFirefighterDelegate(toSCM)andBranchDelegatetillSeptember2010.

IhaveworkedwithmanygreatUnionDelegate'spastandpresentovertheyears,allwithgreatrespectandknowledgeofourUnion.

TheJuniorVicePresident'spositionbecamevacantandnominationswerecalled.IthoughtIshouldstandforthispositionastheUnionhashadaveryimportantroleinmylifeandformanyyearsandIthoughtIhavesomevaluablecontributionsthatwouldbenefitmyfellowworker.

Ihavesincebeenelected,bymypeersontheStateCommitteeofManagementtotheJuniorVicePresident'sposition,apositionandresponsibilitywhichIholdwithhighesteemandhonorandonewhichIwillundertakewithgreatenthusiasmandloyalty.

IamonlytohappytohelpmemberswithanyenquiriesandlookforwardtoworkingwiththeUFUQStateExecutiveintheefforttomaintainourrepresentationofourmembersrightsandbeeversovigilantofWHSissuesinourworkplaces.

Regards

Ron RavertyJunior Vice President



Newly elected Junior Vice President Ron Raverty on the right with his constant side kick Mark Gale at a recent event.



AllanYoung-LifeMemberUFUQAllanwaselectedtoBrisbaneBranchPresidentandheldthatpositiononExecutivefor7years.HewaselectedtotheStateCommitteeofManagementasaBrisbaneregionfirefighterdelegate,holdingthatpositionforover6years.HehasalsotakenontheroleofActingStateSecretaryandwasbrieflyinthechairinaninterimmeasureasActingStatePresident.

WhenconsideringamemberforlifemembershipoftheUFUQ,therulesstatethefollowing,

(i) anominationforlifemembershipbeingmadeinwritingtothe StateCommitteeofManagementinrespectofthemember, providedthatsuchnominationshallnotbevalidunlessmade byafinancialmemberoftheUnionandsecondedbynotfewer thantwootherfinancialmembersoftheUnionwith evidence demonstrating outstanding effort in furthering the objects of the Union.

AsaBrisbaneregiondelegateduringthetumultuousyears,AllanwasofgreatsupporttotheUFUQandwasextremelyinfluentialinbringingBrisbaneregionbackintoaharmoniousrelationshipwiththeUFUStateOffice.

AllanworkedtirelesslytoimproveBrisbaneregions'involvementinsupportingtheUFUpolicyandmembersattendanceatUnionmeetingswereatanall-timehighduringthistimeontheBrisbaneBranch.AstheBranchPresidentherigorouslydefendedtheUFUfromattacksbyitsdetractors.AfteryearsofargumentsandattemptstodestabilisetheUnion,AllanandhisBranchexecutivewereabletobringBrisbaneregionbacktotheUFUfold.

Inhislastendeavour,AllanhastakenonthechairasPresidentoftheRetiredFirefightersAssociation-QLD.AllanhasbeenthemainconduitfortheUFUQLDandtheRetiredFirefightersAssociationhavingtheworkingrelationshipthatitcurrentlyhas.Hehasworkedtirelesslytoensurethatfirefighters,eveninretirement,cancontinuetheirUnionmembership,organisingmembershippackstobeproducedandprovidedforthoseretiringandencouragingfiriestoremainUFUmembers.

Sinceretiring,AllanhasremainedaproudsupporteroftheUFUandnevermissesanopportunitytosupportthecauseandgivesomethingbacktotheUnion.HeisalwayswillingtohelpoutonLabourDayandhasbeenLabourDayMarshallfor



theUFUQformanyyears.YouonlyhavetoobserveAllan,organisingtheUFUmarchersintosomesortofrabbleonLabourDayandobservetheprideonhisfacewhenhemarcheswithusasaUnionsupporter.OnLabourDay,hisloudrambunctiouslaughcanbeheardaroundtheUniontentandthesmileonhisfaceisthereforalltosee,it'snothardtorealisethateveninretirement,AllanYoungisthroughandthroughUFUandproudofit.

IcanrecallmanypassionatespeechesformAllanduringtheturbulentyearsonSCMatthePeelStreetoffice.WhilstIwillleavethemforanothertimeandplace,thereisonethingIcanrelatetomembersaboutAllan,whenhespeaksabouttheUnion,hedoessowithpride.WhentalkingabouttheUFUhesimplysay’s“THEUNION”becausetohimthereisonlyever ONE UNIONthemightyUFUofQ.

RecentlyataformaleveningheldatParliamentHouse,IalongwiththeStateSecretaryhadthehonourofawardingAllanYounghislifemembershipoftheUFUQ,thehighestaccoladeourUnionmaygiveitsmembers.TheStateCommitteeofManagementbestowedthisaccoladeuponAllanYoungforhisyearsofdedicatedservicetotheUnion,inrecognitionofhisactivitiesasadelegateforthisbodyandalsoinretirementasasteadfastsupporterfortheUFU,workingtirelesslytopromotetheUnion’sobjectives.

MyfellowUFUQmembers,Ipresenttoyou,AllanYoung-UFUQLifeMember.



ThisOnesForGrooveFirefighters display the true meaning of being a mate

Thisprojectbeganasabitofadream,afterDave’swifeReneerealisedtheaccessissuesDavidwouldbefacedwithwhenhereturnedhome.

SobeingFiries,wedecidedthat“firefightersarefamily”andweweregoingtotryanddosomethingaboutDave’ssituation.ItwasdiscussedthatsomethingsimilartoChannel9’sBackyard/DomesticBlitzetc,woulddothetrick.

Withthatinmind,anofficialapplicationwashastilypreparedforaproposed“DomesticBlitz”ontheGalvin’sfamilyhomeonlytofindoutthatfilminghadfinishedfortheyearandallapplicationswouldhavetowaitforthefollowingyear.Itwasduringthisprocess,ChannelNine’sACurrentAffair(ACA)expressedaninterestinpossiblybeinginvolvedinfilmingtheplannedproject.

Afteracoupleofmeetingswithcolleaguesinanefforttotryandgetthingsorganised,itbecameapparentthatnothingwouldbehappeningbeforeDavidwouldbereturninghomeonthe9thofAugust2010.ThenonJuly28th2010toourelationweweretoldACAwere“onboard”andweshouldgoforitandaimtohaveitdonebeforeDavearrivedhome.Wellthosefewwordsof“GoforIt”werewhatwewerewaitingforandalltheinspirationneededtomakeithappen.

DuringtheearlystagesofplanningitwasmentionedthatperhapsthescopeofworkthatwasproposedtoenableDavetheaccessherequiredandtheprovisionofsomeusablefamilyareaswasbigtosaytheleast.TheAcewehadinourpocketsweretheFirefightingbrotherhoodandtheamountofsupportthatwasforthcomingfromranksofFirefightersencouragingustomakeithappen.Fortunatelyforus,Firefightersaregoodatbeingreactive.



Withlittleornotimetodoanything,QFRSsupportandapprovalwassoughtandgrantedbytheCommissioner,sponsorswereapproachedandvolunteerswererecruited,“Dday”hadarrivedandwebeganworkattheGalvinfamilyhomeonthe30thJuly2010.

Therolesweredishedout;SeniorFirefighterLukeTehantookontheroleofbuilder/jobsupervisor(Operations),Itookonthetaskofjoborganiser/liaison(Planning),SeniorFirefighterTonyO’Neill,alongwithsomehelpfromtheboysfromRomaStreetstation,recruitedandorganisedthetradeandlabourrequired(Logistics).

Lackofhelpwasneveraproblem,mostdayswehadaminimumof30peopleperday,withamaximumof70peopleontheworkingbeeFriday,averyhecticdaywheretheUFUkindlysuppliedBBQfoodandrefreshmentsforthehungryhordes.LookingovertheprojecttimeIrealisedthatwehadacoreofabout10peopletherenearlyeveryday,afurther20orsopeoplecame2or3daysoutofthe11daysoftheproject,whichmeanswehadabout250peopleinvolvedoverthe11days.

Giventheshorttimeframestomoveaheadontheproject,wewerestillbeingcontactedbypeoplewhowerenotawareitwashappeningandwantingtohelpoutwherevertheycouldrightuptothelastday.

The"ragtagbag"volunteerswhodeliveredthe”impossible”consistedoffirefightersfromCshiftRomaStreetstationandfirefightersfromallshiftswhonewDave,FirecomStaff,Retiredfirefighters,SeniorOfficersandnewRecruitfirefighterswhohadnevermetDavebutjustwantedtobepartofhelpingafellowfirefighterout.Neighbourslentahand,friendsandFirefighter’spartnershelpedReneetofeedtheworkersandanenormousamountofworkwasachievedinonly11days.

Cheers

Sutchy



Editors note.

Itgoeswithoutsayingthatbeingafirefighterisagreatjob,butbeingpartofthefirefightingfamilythatknowsnoboundswhenthechipsaredown,wellitjustdoesn’tgetanybetter.Whatwasachievedbyallthosewhoattendedandparticipated,isaveryveryhumblingandemotionalexperienceforallthoseconcernedandoneofmyproudestmomentseverinbeingafirefighter.

Therewerealotofpeoplewhotookonsignificantrolesandthemountainsofvolunteerswhowillinglygaveuptremendousamountsofpersonaltimetoachievethismagnificentresult.Youknowwhoyouare,andweknowwhoyouare.YouguysandgirlsarethetrueHeroes.



Sydney – vibrant, cosmopolitan, creative and naturally beautiful, welcomes the World Firefighters Games 2012 With over 65 events in what is considered one of the worlds most beautiful cities, Sydney will come alive in October 2012

Home to one of the world’s most stunning harbours and blessed by a sunny, near-perfect climate, Sydney’s setting alone is perfect for the games. Better yet, the 2000 Olympics have left a legacy of world class sporting facilities, enabling the WFG to access Olympic standard facilities for the very first time. Sydney will also have a magnificent village set up at Darling Harbour right in the middle of all the restaurant and bustling entertainment precinct on Sydney Harbour

The 11th World Firefighter Games have just been completed in Daegu, Korea. There were approximately 7500 competitors that enjoyed over 60 events over 9 days.

Whilst in Daegu, the Sydney 2012 WFG were announced at a Host Night which had 2000 competitors vying for information about Sydney and are all keen to comeDown Under and compete in Sydney 2012.

We ask Australian Firefighters to get behind the games and put together teams to compete, or as an individuals, to compete in many different sporting activities.

The ‘Toughest Firefighter Alive’ is a major event where firefighters are tested in a number of different disciplines which is great for spectators and shows just how tough these guys really are.

Individual events like athletics and swimming will be held at Olympic Park with world class facilities whilst beach volleyball and beach cricket will be held on Bondi

Beach. Events such as tug of war, arm wrestling, body building, and ‘Toughest Firefighter Alive’ are planned for Darling Harbour.

Nightly entertainment is also planned, with a spectacular opening and closing ceremony. A village is planned for Darling Harbour, where the majority of competitors will stay to soak up the atmosphere of having around 10,000 firefighters from all over the world congregating in the same area to party on each night and build relationships that last a lifetime.

Sydney has some of the best accommodation in the world with 18,000 rooms in 3, 4, and 5 star hotels. We will have fantastic deals on accommodation and travel via our website www.worldfirefightergames.com in the upcoming months. They will be guaranteed to be the cheapest available, so what we need is for Australian Firefighters, full time, part time, aviation, rural, volunteers and the armed services to get involved. We need Australia to dominate the games, win all the medals, and have a fantastic time in Sydney from 19th – 28th October 2012

For more information check out our website atwww.worldfirefightergames.com

2012 Sydney Australia

World Firefighters Games

As the first QLD Firefighter elected to Parliament I am proud to be able to represent

Firefighters in Government. I thank the United Firefighters Union Qld Branch for

providing support to me in becoming the first Queensland Firefighter elected to

Parliament. I look forward to an ongoing relationship with the UFU representing the

needs of firefighters in Government.

STEVEN KILBURN MP STATE MEMBER FOR CHATSWORTH Unit 1, Millennium Business Centre

Millennium Boulevard

Carindale Qld 4152

Telephone: 3398 4777

Fax: 3398 4680 Email: [email protected]

As the first QLD Firefighter elected to Parliament I am proud to be able to represent Firefighters in Government. I thank the United Firefighters Union Qld Branch for providing support to me in becoming the first Queensland Firefighter elected to Parliament. I look forward to an ongoing relationship with the UFU representing the needs of firefighters in Government.

STEVE KILBURN MPSTATE MEMBER FOR CHATSWORTH

"Strong Voice Real Action"Unit 1, Millennium Business CentreMillennium BoulevardCarindale Qld 4152Telephone: 3398 4777 Fax: 3398 4680Email: [email protected]: http://stevekilburn.weebly.com

Follow Steve on Facebook & Twitter @stevekilburn

Sydney – vibrant, cosmopolitan, creative and naturally beautiful, welcomes the World Firefighters Games 2012 With over 65 events in what is considered one of the worlds most beautiful cities, Sydney will come alive in October 2012

Home to one of the world’s most stunning harbours and blessed by a sunny, near-perfect climate, Sydney’s setting alone is perfect for the games. Better yet, the 2000 Olympics have left a legacy of world class sporting facilities, enabling the WFG to access Olympic standard facilities for the very first time. Sydney will also have a magnificent village set up at Darling Harbour right in the middle of all the restaurant and bustling entertainment precinct on Sydney Harbour

The 11th World Firefighter Games have just been completed in Daegu, Korea. There were approximately 7500 competitors that enjoyed over 60 events over 9 days.

Whilst in Daegu, the Sydney 2012 WFG were announced at a Host Night which had 2000 competitors vying for information about Sydney and are all keen to comeDown Under and compete in Sydney 2012.

We ask Australian Firefighters to get behind the games and put together teams to compete, or as an individuals, to compete in many different sporting activities.

The ‘Toughest Firefighter Alive’ is a major event where firefighters are tested in a number of different disciplines which is great for spectators and shows just how tough these guys really are.

Individual events like athletics and swimming will be held at Olympic Park with world class facilities whilst beach volleyball and beach cricket will be held on Bondi

Beach. Events such as tug of war, arm wrestling, body building, and ‘Toughest Firefighter Alive’ are planned for Darling Harbour.

Nightly entertainment is also planned, with a spectacular opening and closing ceremony. A village is planned for Darling Harbour, where the majority of competitors will stay to soak up the atmosphere of having around 10,000 firefighters from all over the world congregating in the same area to party on each night and build relationships that last a lifetime.

Sydney has some of the best accommodation in the world with 18,000 rooms in 3, 4, and 5 star hotels. We will have fantastic deals on accommodation and travel via our website www.worldfirefightergames.com in the upcoming months. They will be guaranteed to be the cheapest available, so what we need is for Australian Firefighters, full time, part time, aviation, rural, volunteers and the armed services to get involved. We need Australia to dominate the games, win all the medals, and have a fantastic time in Sydney from 19th – 28th October 2012

For more information check out our website atwww.worldfirefightergames.com

2012 Sydney Australia

World Firefighters Games



ABriefSummaryoftheNerangFireBrigade’sHistoryasoverviewedintheGoldCoastBulletin24thApril1973

TheNerangFireBrigadewasfirstbasedinthehorsestablesintheNestlesfactory,around1950andthissitelaterbecameasoftdrinkfactory.Thefirst“engine”wasahanddrawncartbehindautility.Thefirststationwasbuiltaround1952almostoppositethepolicestationinPriceSt,andhadtheFechnerfamilyasneighbours.ItisnotsurprisingthattheyoungFechnerbrothersarestillservingmembersoftheQFRS.

MrRonSimmons,oneoftheearlyofficersrecalls,“iftheutilitydidnotstartfirstgo,thefiremengrabbedthecartandranwithithellforleather.“Wehadbucketbrigadestoo,tosupplementthehoses.Intheearlydaystherewereonly3hydrantsinthetown,soweoftenfilledupfromanundergroundtankneartheQueensHotel.ItwasabucketbrigadethatsavedtheQueensHotelfromburningtothegroundin1941”.MrSimmonssaidthatinthefirst30years,Neranghashadmanyseriousfires.Theprovisionstorewasburntdown,thebank,timbermills,apoultryfarmseriouslydamaged,andtoomanygrassfiresclosetothetowntoremember.

SeniorConstableHerbBoydrecalledthemagnificentworkdonebythefirefightersatthetimbermillfires,vehiclefiresandthemanygrassfireswhichthreatenedtheircommunity.

Thebrigadehad11meninit’sheyday,buthaddiminishedtoonly3in1973.Their1946Internationalfiretruckhadseenmanyemergencieswhentheirstationwasforcedtoclosein1973.CrBirminghamsaidthatNerangresidentsareverycivicmindedanditwasunusualthenumberhaddwindled.HoweverMrBatten,alongstandingfirefighter,highlightedthat“theauxiliaryfirefighterwaspaid$1.25everytwoweeksfordutypracticewhichincludedcheckingtheengine,hydrants,hoses,extinguishersandarangeofotherequipment.”Whentheywentouttofightafiretheyreceived$1.40forthefirsthour,andadownwardscaleforeveryhourfollowing.

ItwasannouncedthatNerangwastobecomepartoftheSouthportfiredistrict,and3yearslaterin1976openedupalargestationinwesternSouthportwhereitstandstoday.

Soaswecanseefirefightingandallofitscurrentassociatedemergencyinterventions,havecomealongwayfromthosechallengingdaysofhanddrawn



cartsandbucketsbrigades.Howeveritisverytimelytorememberandthankthosepioneeringfirefightersforthevalianteffortsinprotectingtheircommunity.

The unelected Mayor of Nerang, firefighter Dan Fechner proudly celebrates the opening of the new Nerang fire station with local residents.



GROW TOGETHER

www.peabodyenergy.com.au

Peabody Energy Australia is a subsidiary of Peabody Energy (NYSE: BTU), the world’s largest private-sector coal company.As a leading producer and supplier of coal, Peabody is powering sustainable economic prosperity and advancing the next generation of clean coal technologies that will help people enjoy longer, healthier and higher quality lifestyles.

Peabody actively supports people and environmental initiatives in the communities in which it operates.

GROW TOGETHER

www.peabodyenergy.com.au

Peabody Energy Australia is a subsidiary of Peabody Energy (NYSE: BTU), the world’s largest private-sector coal company.As a leading producer and supplier of coal, Peabody is powering sustainable economic prosperity and advancing the next generation of clean coal technologies that will help people enjoy longer, healthier and higher quality lifestyles.

Peabody actively supports people and environmental initiatives in the communities in which it operates.

Trojan Timbers Pty Ltd

www.trojantimbers.com.au


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NewUnionMechandiseIntheAutumn2010UFUjournal,anarticlewaswrittenstatingthattheUnionhaddecidedthatarevampofallUnionmerchandisewasinorder.Wehavehadsomegreatideasfrommembersastowhatyouarelookingforinthemerchandiseandbelowisthefirsttestdrivefornewpolo,sportshirtsandhats.AtthemomenttheUnioncurrentlyhaslimitedstockastheseasareonlytrialdesigns.AcompetitionwillbearrangedthroughtheUnionofficetoencouragememberstoprovideuswithfeedbackforthedesigns.AnymemberwhocontactstheUnionwithconstructivefeedback,willgointoadrawforafullUFUmerchandisepackwhichwillcontaintherevamped:UFUPOLOSHIRTUFUSPORTSSHIRTUFUCAPUFUSTUBBYCOOLERUFUNUMBERPLATEFRAMESUFUSTICKERUFUSPECIALEDITIONCOWBOYHATWehaveprovidedanupdatedmerchandiseform.ThisformisalsoavailableontheUnionwebsitewww.ufuq.asn.au.Thenameofthewinnerwillbepublishedinthefollowingjournal.Please note we now have MEN & LADIES SIZES.

JohnOliverStateSecretary



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AuxiliaryDraftAgreementConsultationAlison Howearth

ThisisthemostcomprehensivevisittoAuxiliarystationsundertakenbytheUnionandwillbethemostextensivereviewofAuxiliaryemploymentconditionssinceQFRStookoverfromtheBoards.To-date;Ihavetravelledover4000kilometresinbothFarNorthernandNorthernRegiontospeakabouttheDraftAgreement.WhenfinalisedtheAgreementwillcoverallAuxiliaries.TheUnitedFirefightersUnionofQLDbelieveditwasimportanttogiveanopportunitytoallAuxiliaries,notjustUnionmemberstocontributetothefinaldraft.Obviouslyitisnotpossibletovisitallstationsbutweareofferingthefollowingoptions:

• Avisittoyourstation • Avisittoastationwithinareasonabletravellingdistancefrom yourstation • Ateleconferenceifyourstationistoodistanttomakeitviableto visit.

ThisgiveseveryAuxiliarytheopportunitytohaveasayonthecontentsoftheAgreementandwillensurethefinaldocumentmeetstheneedsofthemajority.Asaresultofpreviousmeetings,theDraftAgreementhasalreadybeenchangedtoreflectfeedbackreceived.We,theUFUQaremakingeveryefforttogiveallauxiliariestheopportunitytohavetheresay,itisuptoyoutotakeadvantageofit.

Withanymajorchangeinourindustryitsnormalthattherewillbeconcernsraisedacrossalllevelofemployees.Themajorityofthefeedbackwehavereceivedtodatehasbeenpositiveandonlyonenegativeresponsewhichindicatestousthatweareontherighttrack.Intoday’sbusyworldmostofushavelittlefreetimeandwhilstweenjoycontributingtoourcommunitiesthroughourAuxiliarywork,ourcommitmentwhenbecominganauxiliaryfirefighterplacesinherentrisktoourownsafetyandtakesprecioustimeawayfromour



families.AninstrumentsuchasthisproposedDraftAgreement,providesourauxiliarymemberswithalevelofprescribedsafetywithPPEandPPCandasalawfulagreementidentifiestheratesofpayappropriatetoourlevelofskillandcompensatesusforourtimeawayfromourfamilies.

Overthepasttenyears,Auxiliarieshavetakenonextradutiese.g.MIR’sandRAAPwithnorecognitionofourchangingrole.Traininghasincreasedwithcoreskillsandextraqualificationsbeingdeliveredyetinmoststationtraininghourshavenotincreasedinlinewiththisextracommitment.TheissueofUniformsandPersonalProtectiveClothingaslistedinStandingOrderSO-Q-BM-3.7-AuxiliaryEmploymentConditionsisrarelycompliedwithandmanywaitmonthsforclothingtobeissued.Recruitmentisnowbecomingabigissuewiththemajorityofsmallerstationshavingtroublerecruitingandretainingstaffandmanyarerunningwith50%orlessoftheirestablishmentnumberswhichimpactsoncrewsafety.ManyauxiliariesthatIhavetalkedto,feelthattheproposedDraftAgreementmayalsoassistinenticingnewrecruitsandstaffretention.

Rememberthisisyouropportunitytohaveasayinwhatgoesinthefinaldraft,somakesureyoucontributebyeitherattendingastationvisitorparticipatinginateleconference.

IthasbeengoodtoseethosewhoIhavemetonpreviousvisitsandtoalsomeetnewAuxiliariesandIhopetoseemanymoreofyouinthecomingweeks.

Alison Howearth



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WorkersCompensationRecentamendmentsmadetotheWorkers’CompensationlegislationandWorkplaceHealth&SafetyActcameintoeffecton1July2010.

Whatdoesthismeantotheinjuredworker?

StatutoryWorkersCompensationClaims

• Morefocusonrehabilitationandreturntowork.

• Atthetimeaclaimant’sweeklybenefitscease,iftheclaimantisnotback toworkthentheInsurer–whetherthatisWorkCoveroraselfinsurer– MUSTreferthatclaimanttotheQ-CompReturntoWorkAssist.

• InjuredworkerscanaccessQ-CompReturntoWorkAssistatanytimeby contactingthemon1300023969.Youdon’tneedtowaitfortheInsurerto referyou.

• ReturntoWorkAssistisafreeservicethatwillhelpyoufindalternative employmentorretrain,ifyourinjurypreventsyoufromreturningtoyour pre-injuryemployment.

CommonLawDamagesClaims

• Theassessmentofgeneraldamages(compensationforpain andsuffering)nowmirrorstheCivilLiabilityAct.Fromapracticalpoint ofview,thegeneraldamagescomponentofaCommonLawDamages Claimisnowcappedat$294,500.00andcalculatedhavingreferencetoan injuryscaleassessment.• FuturelossofearningsisalsocappedatthreetimestheQueensland ordinarytimeearnings,currentlyat$1,132.10perweek.

• Intheeventthatamattergoestotrialandtheinjuredworker’s claimfails,costscannowbeorderedagainsttheinjuredworkertopay thedefendant’slegalcostsandoutlays.



Importantly,theWorkplaceHeath&SafetyAct(“WPHS”)hasbeenamendedtoremoveabreachofstatutorydutyunderWPHSasacauseofaction.Whatthismeansisthattosucceedinacommonlawclaimfordamagesagainstanemployeraninjuredworkermustprovenegligenceonthepartoftheemployerand/orbreachofemploymentcontract,butcannotclaimabreachofWorkplaceHealth&SafetyunderthatAct.

TosucceedinaCommonLawclaimforDamagesagainstyouremployerinnegligencetheinjuredworkermustproveonthebalanceofprobabilitythattheemployerdidnottakeadequateprecautionsagainstallreasonablyforeseeablerisksofinjury.Ariskofinjurythatisforeseeableisariskthatis“real”andnot“far-fetchedorfanciful”.

Thethreeyearlimitationperiodtobringacommonlawclaimfordamagesstillappliesbutanumberofstepsneedtobetakenwellbeforethatthreeyearperiodexpires.

Ifyouwantfurtherinformationabouttheseamendmentsoradviceaboutapotentialcommonlawclaimfordamages,contacttheUFUforaUnionLawReferral.



TheOldSouthCoastBrigadeBy Allan Burrows - Part 3

Queensland Firefighter - :: Home · page 8 UFU - Queensland Journal Queensland Firefighter Junior...

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