Sunrise broadcasts from Woodend

On the 16th December Woodend Fire Station hosted Sunrise’s Fifi’s Box, as the popular Channel Seven presenter broadcast the weather live from the brigade’s Urqhart Street address.

Channel Seven’s Sunrise program had contacted CFA the day before asking if they could broadcast live the weather from a CFA brigade. The program wanted to go to a bushfire prone area on a TFB day to speak to local firefighters about preparations for the fire season.

A few phone calls later and Woodend First lieutenant Mike Dornau was the man coordinating things at the brigade’s end. In quick time, he organised several CFA members and their family members to appear early next morning for the broadcast. The plan was to have several members interviewed at designated times and at other times have brigade members in the background in their PPC.

Mike said it was an interesting experience watching a live broadcast being put together.

“Even though the program goes to air at 6am, I arrived at the station at 4am to welcome the Channel Seven crew who needed to set up their satellite broadcast van well in advance, and make sure all links were working.

“Around 5.15am, Fifi Box and her producer Chelsea arrived to begin preparations for the first live cross just after 6am, followed by live weather crosses on the half hour up to 8.30am.

“From the outset Fifi and Chelsea were keen and helpful, ensuring that everyone knew what was required of them—and spending time with each of the planned interviewees.

“Interviews were arranged with several Woodend CFA members: 6.30am with myself, 7.30am with Andrew Wilson-Annan (who had recently appeared on Channel Two’s Australian Story for a Black Saturday story) and at 8am with Mt Macedon Group Officer Brad Jepsen.

“At each live cross, the crew arranged for Woodend members and their families to appear in various background settings for Fifi’s broadcast.

“It was a fantastic experience and excellent coverage for the CFA, with each member interviewed providing valuable information during their short time on air.

“The Channel Seven crew were also fantastic to deal with, with Fifi Box going out of her way to make time for the families that had turned up, including many locals who arrived after having seen the broadcast on air,” concluded Mike.

Brad Jepsen, whose daughter Amber also appeared on camera, said everyone had a great time.

“I think it should be relayed back to Channel Seven that Fifi Box is a great ambassador for their station; the time and interaction she had and gave to the children, public, local press and firefighters was nothing short of outstanding.

“The support crew were totally professional and their easygoing approach assisted greatly in calming the nerves of the people being interviewed … I also have one little girl that still can’t wipe the smile off her face,” said Brad.

Following the final live cross at 8.30am, it was time for the Channel Seven crew to pack up and return to Melbourne, the families to get their children to school, some Woodend members to go to work and the brigade to prepare for their Total Fire Ban day.