The volunteers from the Compton Country Fire Service (CFS) Brigade have raised nearly $18,000 to support cancer research and mental health initiatives for first responders during the recent Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb. This impressive fundraising effort, totaling $17,900, was achieved through various community activities, including a car battery drive, barbecues at Bunnings, fundraising dinners at local establishments such as the South Eastern Hotel and Blue Lake Bar and Bistro, and a raffle and band night at The Globe Hotel.
This year marked the local brigade’s ninth year participating in the event, bringing their cumulative total to $93,317 raised over that period. Seven volunteers from the Compton CFS Brigade joined over 1,000 firefighters and emergency service personnel from Australia and New Zealand to ascend the 28 floors of the Crown Metropol, donning up to 25 kilograms of turnout gear and breathing apparatus.
Record-Breaking Fundraising and Personal Commitment
The 2025 Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb achieved a record-breaking total of $1,121,838 for the Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation, Lifeline, and the 000Foundation. Participants included a mix of newcomers and seasoned climbers, such as Renee Ackerley, who participated for the 11th time.
Senior firefighter Chelsea Gordon expressed the brigade’s enthusiasm for the event. “We will definitely suit up next year for our tenth year,” she stated. “I think most of the team have a bit of an addiction to it; it’s not just about the climb, it’s also about the fundraising.” Gordon highlighted the importance of supporting mental health initiatives, especially given the challenging nature of emergency services work.
“For me personally, obviously in this day and age we have a lot of mental health problems going around, and it is important to see money go to charities like Lifeline,” she added. “We see some pretty gnarly stuff in the emergency services, so to have a service like Lifeline and even the 000Foundation and know that we are supported off the fire ground is quite important to all of us.”
Looking Ahead to Next Year
The Compton CFS Brigade is already gearing up for next year’s Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb and encourages community members to contribute. Gordon noted that those with car batteries can arrange for pickups through brigade members or the brigade’s Facebook page. “If everybody just has one or two batteries lying around, we come and pick them up. We recycle them in bulk lots and then we get some pretty decent money from that, and obviously it all goes to charity, so it’s all for a good cause,” she explained.
The commitment of the Compton CFS Brigade to both their community and their own mental health is evident in their ongoing fundraising efforts and participation in events like the Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb. As they prepare for their tenth year, the brigade’s dedication to making a difference both on and off the fire ground remains strong.
