General News
29 June, 2026
THE NEW BRIGADE
TWO of the Loddon’s oldest volunteer fire brigades will be under new leadership from next week.
TWO of the Loddon’s oldest volunteer fire brigades will be under new leadership from next week.
Long-serving Pyramid Hill captain Steve Mann will swap positions with current first lieutenant Ash Moon.
And Kelly Whitton steps into the captain’s role at Tarnagulla as her brigade enters its 157th year.
Kelly first joined Tarnagulla brigade in 2019 after attending an introduction session with step-son Cody.
Captain George Filev “suggested I should join, too, but I told him I was scared of fires”, Kelly said. “George gave the sound advice that it was important to learn fire behaviour and that’s what he has helped me do every since.
“George has had 10 years as captain, creating an inclusive and supportive culture in the brigade.”
Kelly has been first lieutenant of Tarnagulla for more than five years. In the changeover on July 1, Kelly and George will switch roles.
“We’re also preparing for a special community function in August to formally thank George for his great leadership,” Kelly said.
Kelly’s father is a long-time CFA member and son Mitchell has recently joined Tarnagulla as a probationary firefighter.
For Ash Moon, who will become just Pyramid Hill’s 22nd captain since the brigade was formed in 1908, the elevation continues involvement with the CFA of more than a quarter of a century.
Ash first joined the junior brigade’s successful running team as an 11-year-old training under John Carroll.
“The wet hose was our pet event at the time,” Ash said. He has been an active member of the Loddon Vale and Yando brigades, serving as first lieutenant at Pyramid Hill for the last four years.
Ash said he had spent the past two years “consciously preparing for the captain’s role under the mentorship of Steve”.
“I’ve often gone out to incidents in the forward command vehicle with Steve,” he said.
Mr Mann has been at the helm of the Pyramid Hill brigade for 25 years and last year received the CFA’s outstanding service medal.
He was widely praised for his efforts during the October 2022 floods and again 14 months later when summer storms again had roads cut and northern Loddon communities on flood watch.
He was central to preparing Pyramid Hill as rivers and creeks across the Loddon swelled and provided regular online updates as the situation evolved.
Mr Mann was one of the foundation leaders in the CFA District 20 Captain’s Peer Mentoring Program.
Mr Mann said the change of roles would mean little change to his brigade involvement. “When the pager goes off, I’ll respond like the other members.”
Read More: Pyramid Hill, Tarnagulla