General News
20 October, 2025
New home for Warracknabeal VICSES
Warracknabeal VICSES volunteers will celebrate a major milestone on Saturday, October 25, with the official opening of their new headquarters on Devereux Street - the former Warracknabeal CFA Station.
Unit’s deputy controller John Bish said members were thrilled to finally have a fit-for-purpose facility after years of planning and setbacks.
“Members of the Warracknabeal VICSES unit are finally celebrating the official opening of the Devereux Street building (formerly the Warracknabeal CFA Station) after many years of attempted upgrades to our former headquarters on the corner of Lyle and Thomas streets,” he said.
Mr Bish said planning began as early as 2017 to upgrade the old Lyle Street site, but the project faced ongoing challenges.
“As quickly as building extension plans were drawn up, the goal posts kept moving in line with new building regulations which deemed the concrete slab no longer thick enough for our heavy rescue truck and the provision that SES vehicles could only be driven forwards (no reversing in) on new builds,” he said.
“That certainly curtailed our progress to make improvements as we knew we would not be funded with a brand new building, which was fit for purpose.”
When the CFA moved into its new station in mid-2023, the opportunity arose for VICSES to repurpose the old site.
“With the assistance of Mr Peter Dunn (Project Manager – working as a consultant for VICSES), the building was purchased from CFA using state funds and building works were then undertaken to upgrade the plumbing, stormwater, lighting and include a shower and laundry on the premises,” he said.
“All expenses for the upgrades came from grants received and the use of unit funds.
“By late 2024, Warracknabeal VICSES transferred all its operations to the Devereux Street site.”
Mr Bish said the new building provides everything the team needs to support their vital work.
It has modern toilets and showers, a large meeting room, a kitchen, a storage space and a suitable engine bay area.
“By providing such facilities, we will be in a much better position moving forward to maintain viable member numbers and provide vital emergency response to our community and surrounding areas,” he said.
The official opening ceremony will take place at 11am, followed by a barbecue lunch and a display of the new facilities and rescue equipment.
Mr Bish said the celebration marks the end of a long journey and the start of a stronger future for Warracknabeal VICSES.