The election of a new Cobram CFA Brigade management team on Tuesday, September 5, marked the end of an era.
For years, the Hilder family had an active role in the management of Cobram CFA.
Heather Hilder-Bratt said being part of the CFA was in her family’s blood, and the changeover made her reflect on her family’s time helping manage the brigade.
Her ex-husband, Mick Hilder, and son, Adrian Hilder, were Cobram CFA brigade captains and still serve the brigade.
Ms Hilder-Bratt was prominent in the brigade before retiring in 2016 and moving to Coffs Harbour.
“I was an active firefighter and then became a communications officer. I did more than 30 years of service with the Cobram brigade,” she said.
“I joined because my husband then was involved, and I wanted to be involved. I loved the big family it was.”
According to Ms Hilder-Bratt, the best part of being a member of the CFA was the friendships formed.
“The friends that I gained from it and knowing that you were never alone,” she said.
Those friendships were meaningful. As Ms Hilder-Bratt said, being part of the CFA was an all-consuming experience.
Asked what memory stuck out the most for her, Ms Hilder-Bratt said it was the 2010 Picture House fire.
“I had a leadership role (in that situation), and people band together when they lose part of their own town and history,” she said.
Throughout her more than three-decade affiliation with the CFA, Ms Hilder-Bratt organised many strike forces.
She also liaised with the Courier, helping ensure information was correct and released to the public promptly.
The now-retired CFA veteran also spoke fondly of seeing Mick Hilder lead the brigade.
“Mick was such a great captain and a support member. He just had the know-how. He gave strength to all his brigade members,” she said.
As for her son, Adrian, Ms Hilder-Bratt said the CFA is in his blood.
“Adrian was a devoted and dedicated young boy who had big shoes to follow with his father and grandfather both being in CFA ... he lived and breathed it,” she said.
Ms Hilder-Bratt was among the first to wish its members success when Cobram CFA announced its new management team on Facebook.
Ms Hilder-Bratt said she would always be proud of her time in the service.
“I had satisfaction in what I did,” she said.
“We helped a neighbour, we helped someone ... I am so proud of what my family has done for the community and for the brigade.”
The Courier congratulates the new Cobram Fire Brigade’s management team members and wishes them all the best.
Cobram Fire Brigade’s new brigade management team
Captain: Matt Dehne
1st Lieutenant: Allan Warfe
2nd Lieutenant: Steph Thompson
3rd Lieutenant: Danny Klippel
4th Lieutenant: David Barr
Secretary/treasurer: Cath Fisher
Communications officer: Hayden Fisher
Occupational health and safety representative: Fred White
Fire equipment maintenance officer/Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria delegate: Dave Beard