On Tuesday 21st members of Hutt Valley Fire Police Unit travelled to Wainuiomata Fire Station for the Annual General Meeting of the Hutt-Wellington-Kapiti Sub Association of the United Fire Brigades Association.

This night was particularly interesting for HVFP members; For the past 12 months our Officer in Charge, SSO David Ackroyd, has been serving as President of the Sub Association, and Fire Policeman Alex Roberts has been Senior Vice President. Of note also are SO Mike Lock and FP Mark Morton, both as Junior Vice Presidents.

This AGM saw SSO Ackroyd step down as President and move into the role of 'Immediate Past President'. He had the pleasure of presenting to FP Roberts his 'promotion' to President. In response FP Roberts presents SSO Ackroyd with the 'Past President's pin.

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SSO Ackroyd presenting to FP Roberts.... and FP Roberts returning the favour.

FP Roberts in his new role as President, was able to welcome in the newest member of the Sub Association Executive, FF Brent Penny from Upper Hutt Volunteer Fire Brigade. He was also able to confirm and congratulate the Association Patron, Mr Gordon Hamilton, for his reappointment.

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The Guest Speaker for the evening was the outgoing Immediate Past President, SO Rachael Thorp of Upper Hutt VFB, who gave a very interesting talk on the Australian Bushfires of February 2009. SO Thorp is employed as a Rural Fire Officer for the Department of Conservation and was amongst the first New Zealand Deployment to the bushfires which devastated the state of Victoria earlier this year.

The Sub Association is an excellent forum for the local Volunteer Fire Brigades (and Units!). HVFP encourages volunteer fire brigades from the Greater Wellington area to take an active interest in the Sub Association and the services and support it is able to provide for training, competitions and social events.