Local councils, fire and emergency service personnel came together for the 26th Annual Blessing of the Fleet on Saturday 8 October.
The event, held outside the City of Whittlesea Civic Centre in South Morang, brought together representatives from many of the municipality’s diverse faiths to deliver a blessing ahead of this year’s summer season.
City of Whittlesea CEO Craig Lloyd said the event was an opportunity to come together to thank emergency services personnel, both volunteer and career, who work incredibly hard, and at great personal risk, for the community.
“The Blessing of the Fleet service is dedicated to the remarkable individuals and teams in our emergency services and signals the start of the preparation for the upcoming fire season,” Mr Lloyd said.
“It is wonderful to get together with the leaders of our multi-faith congregations to pray for the protection and safe passing of emergency services crews and volunteers, and the vehicles and equipment that enable them to carry out their life and property saving work.”
Emergency personnel from Country Fire Authority, Fire Rescue Victoria, Forest Fire Management Victoria, Victoria Police, State Emergency Services, Ambulance Victoria and Parks Victoria, as well as operational staff from Whittlesea, Mitchell and Murrindindi Councils, were represented on the day, together with religious leaders from the Buddhist, Sikh, Islamic, Greek Orthodox and Christian communities.
