Emergency Services Commissioner Craig Lapsley was in the region over the weekend attending the state junior fire brigade championships and catching up with local organisations.
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He visited the Port Fairy and Warrnambool Coast Guard services and said they were in good shape.
“They have now secured state funding for their ongoing operations,” he said.
“The mood of both was excellent in the sense they can see they have a bright future. They welcome the opportunity to be more structured.”
Mr Lapsley said Port Fairy in particular had been been vocal about the need for the state government to invest locally.
“They will see the full benefits,” he said.
Warrnambool Coast Guard commander Allan Wood said the funding provided financial security.
“We also filled Mr Lapsley in on how our flotilla is travelling,” he said.
“Membership is in a good state at the moment. We have never missed a call out.”
He said the boat would soon be updated, with $30,000 worth of electrical improvements to be implemented.
Mr Lapsley also visited Deakin University and talked with campus director Alistair McCosh.
“We are hoping to strike up an understanding with them in regards to their curriculum,” he said.
“We are looking at their programs and how we interface our leadership and development programs and get it into their programs. They have very innovative ways and we see it as a great opportunity.”