A COMMUNITY-MINDED neighbour has ensured a fire emergency service fit for the future by agreeing to sell his former home to make way for an expansion of the Edithvale Fire Station.
John Hennessy, 88, attended a march by Country Fire Authority firefighters as part of the new station official opening ceremony on Saturday (4 August).
Mr Hennessy agreed to sell his Station Street residential property to the CFA a decade ago when it became apparent that the fire station would need to be refurbished and expanded.
The Edithvale resident turned down approaches by property developers for the land and property for the benefit of the community.
The fire station expansion was completed thanks to $3.35 million in state government funding. Kingston Council contributed $30,000 to the station fit-out.
“He could have sold his patch for much more, with developers also knocking on his door at the time,” Mordialloc Labor MP Tim Richardson said.
“However, he chose to support his local community and the volunteer brigade he loves dearly.”
Edithvale CFA captain Graham Fountain said the organisation bought the adjacent property for $960,000 in November 2013.
The Edithvale Fire Brigade is more than 95 years old and was first established in 1921 and registered with the Country Fire Brigades Board in July 1925. The brigade also helps Metropolitan Fire Brigade emergency services.
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 8 August 2018
