The captain of a small Country Fire Authority (CFA) brigade in regional Victoria is hoping a new stamp featuring the face of one of his fellow firefighters will help recruit some young volunteers.
Australia Post recently released a collection of stamps called Water Tower Art, which includes a painting of Chesney Vale CFA volunteer Colin Hooke from a water tank in the Winton Wetlands in north-eastern Victoria.
The brigade's captain, Russell Ellis, said he did not know why Australia Post chose this painting but that it had become a tourist attraction since it was completed by Australian artist Guido van Helten in 2016.
"It's been a big deal. There's a surprising amount of visitors to the site," he said.
"I go past the site quite regularly and quite often there are cars travelling out to see the art."
Mr Ellis said it had been a boost for the local community.
"It's great to see more people coming to see things in the area … this art on the tank has attracted a lot of attention," he said.
'Quite amusing'
Mr Hooke said he was surprised the painting of him was chosen for the stamp.
"I've found the whole thing quite amusing," he said.
"I do hope it is beneficial for the brigade and the CFA more broadly."
Mr Ellis thinks it could help generate some interest in the brigade.
"It's just another thing that makes people talk a little bit more about, 'have you seen this?'" he said.
"And then it's there because of the CFA … it will create a bit more discussion and hopefully a bit more interest in the brigade."
Everyone 'extremely busy'
Mr Ellis said he hoped it might entice others to consider volunteering for the CFA.
He said there was a solid group of volunteers in their brigade, but that they were getting older.
"Our aging population is a little bit of a problem for us, as it is across most of the state," he said.
"There's a housing development in the district, in the brigade area. And hopefully we can recruit some younger people out of that.
"It's very difficult. Everyone seems to lead extremely busy lives, and to commit the time necessary is a problem, but we're continually looking for ways to talk to people and see if they're interested [n volunteering]."
Mr Ellis said there was more interest in the CFA following the devastating summer of bushfires, but that it had dropped as the year went on.
"As the winter came, it sort of dropped off a little," he said.
"But I think people will be a bit more aware, particularly at the start of this summer, that the CFA and the fire danger becomes more important than normal."
As for the stamps, Mr Ellis said he had not seen any in circulation yet.
"I must make some enquiries and see if we can get some," he said.
"We can maybe use some for the little bit of postage we do from the brigade and just as a neighbour of Colin," he said.
"It's just a bit of a novelty thing as well."
