Introduction
MEET CAPTAIN KOALA
AND FRIENDS
Support material 4
Read on to find out more about Captain Koala and his friends.
Captain Koala
Date of birth: 16 January 1982
Nickname: CK
Brigade: Riverland Gully
Background in CFA: CK began life with CFA at
the age of 11 when he became a junior brigade
member. By the age of 16 he was heavily
involved, competing for Riverland Gully at the
state junior championships. CK took on the role
of Captain in 2007 when the previous captain
moved to Mt Billabong. He is currently training to
help rescue people from car accidents. Captain
Koala’s favourite CFA moment was in 2006 when
he rescued a dog named Benji that was stuck in a
drain and couldn’t get out.
Job: Travels around Victoria teaching fire safety
messages to children
Favourite colour: Green
Favourite Movie: Shrek
Favourite food: Lasagne with lots of cheese
Likes: Helping people, surfing, reading crime novels, bushwalking, hanging out with friends
and making lasagne
Dislikes: People who don’t listen, brussels sprouts, horror movies
A quick fact about CK: He loves to dance but finds it hard to move in his big shoes.
Training: Minimum skills 2003, Pumper accreditation 2004, Wildfire Suppression 2004, Breathing
Apparatus 2004, Search and Rescue 2005, LPG flare off 2006, Rope Rescue 2007, Road Accident
Rescue 2008
Presenter’s Resource • Page 59
07/2014
Page 1 of 7
Penny Platypus
Date of birth: 4 July 1983
Nickname: Pen
Brigade: Riverland Gully
Background in CFA: Penny joined
CFA so she can help communicate
environmental messages and promote
bushfire safety. She delivers Fire Safe
Kids lessons and tells kids about how
fire is a natural part of the environment
and that many plants and animals are
adapted to fire.
Role in CFA: Communications Officer
Job: Swimming teacher
Favourite colour: Pink
Favourite movie: Harry Potter
and the Philosopher’s Stone
Favourite food: Marinara pizza
Likes: Swimming, playing in the bush, listening to music
Dislikes: People who litter
A quick fact about Penny: Underwater, Penny relies on touch and a special sixth sense called
electro-reception so she can catch food.
Training: Penny completed her Wildfire Minimum Skills training in her first year as a CFA volunteer, and
was voted into the position of Communications Officer at a Riverland Gully brigade election in 2006.
07/2014
Page 2 of 7
Wozza Wombat
Date of birth: 15 January 1979
Nickname: Woz
Brigade: Riverland Gully
Background in CFA: Wozza joined CFA
to become more involved with his local
community. Wozza is a long time
friend of Captain Koala, and through
this friendship, he decided to become
a member of his local brigade. Wozza
is quite a handy wombat, and works
hard around the station fixing all things
electrical. He really enjoys making
sure the brigade vehicles are in
tip top shape.
Role in CFA: Structural Fire Officer
Job: Electrician/Builder
Favourite colour: Blue
Favourite movie: The Castle
Favourite food: Vegetable curry
Likes: Hiking around in the bush, sea kayaking, making curry and listening to all sorts of music
Dislikes: Loud noises, going to the city and when his neighbour the rabbit comes and messes up
his house
A quick fact about Wozza: Wozza is quite fast afoot, and is able to run at around 40 km/h. He is
particularly fast and smart when a packet of chocolate biscuits is within sight.
Training: Recruit Firefighters Course. After four years experience as an Operational Firefighter, Wozza
successfully completed his Leading Firefighter assessment. Wozza then successfully completed his Fire
Officer Assessment 12 months later, and was promoted to Structural Fire Officer.
07/2014
Page 3 of 7
Neville Numbat
Date of birth: 12 August 1989
Nickname: Nev
Brigade: Riverland Gully
Background in CFA: Nev’s family has
a long history with CFA, and it was only
logical that Nev become part of his local
brigade. He enjoys being part of his local
brigade both as a way of being part of his
community, as well as being able to spend
more time with his family.
Role in CFA: Public Relations Officer
Job: Sheep Farmer (Southdowns)
Favourite colour: Yellow
Favourite movie: Lord of the Rings Trilogy
Favourite food: Termite pie
Likes: Keeping busy, practising his ‘beat box’ noises, and playing guitar
Dislikes: The fox that keeps coming to his property, having to repair fences
A quick fact about Nev: Nev is a diurnal (active during the day) marsupial. There are only two of his
type in Australia, with the other being the Musky Rat Kangaroo.
Training: Neville completed his Wildfire Minimum Skills training with CFA. Neville has an interest in
journalism and the media that he developed through previous university studies. He was voted into
the position of PR Officer by his brigade members, and now helps with promoting community safety
messages from his brigade to local media.
07/2014
Page 4 of 7
Bianca Bilby
Date of birth: 9 November 1986
Nickname: Bee or Bink
Brigade: Riverland Gully
Background in CFA: When Bianca was
first learning her profession, her boss
told her about being involved in CFA.
He thought Bianca would be a great
brigade member, as she is very safety
conscious, and performs her duties in
a very logical and practical way. When
she went along to the training she really
enjoyed the challenge and atmosphere
of the local brigade.
Role in CFA: Junior Leader
Job: Professional Freelance Photographer
Favourite colour: Green
Favourite movie: Labyrinth
Favourite food: Fruit salad
Likes: Travelling around Australia and overseas, playing with her dog Acacia, playing Scrabble
Dislikes: Being called a rabbit, and forgetting her camera
A quick fact about Bianca: Bianca has heard that a toy Bilby has been to the Top of the World!
In May 1997, Tashi Tenzing – grandson of Tenzing Norgay – reached the summit of Mount Everest.
Training: Bianca Bilby volunteered to be a Junior Leader with others from her brigade. Bianca’s Captain
contacted CFA’s Youth Unit to get an information kit about starting up a Junior Brigade. They all got a
Working with Children Check and completed the Junior Brigade/Junior Leader Application Form. They all
attended a Junior Leader induction briefing session. Soon after induction, Bianca was able to become a
Junior Leader.
Bianca’s brigade is now actively seeking eager and well behaved junior members aged 11 up to 16 years
to have fun, make new friends and love belonging to a fantastic community based organisation like CFA.
07/2014
Page 5 of 7
James
Date of birth: 3 July 1981
Nickname: Jimmy
Brigade: Torquay
Background in CFA: James’ father
was a CFA volunteer, and when James
turned 15 he joined CFA as a junior
member. James has been involved in
CFA ever since. James loves keeping
fit and healthy through all the physical
activity being a CFA volunteer involves.
Role in CFA: First Lieutenant
Job: Primary School Teacher
Favourite colour: Red
Favourite movie: Dodgeball
Favourite food: Hamburger with the lot
Likes: Playing AFL for his local
team, hanging out with his friends,
and surfing
Dislikes: Brussels sprouts
A quick fact about James: James is a wiz in the kitchen and his friends line up for his pavlova.
Training: After James completed his Minimum Wildfire Skills training, he was voted into the position
of First Lieutenant by his fellow brigade members at a brigade election.
07/2014
Page 6 of 7
Sophie
Date of birth: 11 March 1985
Nickname: Soph
Brigade: Ballarat
Background in CFA: Sophie joined her
local brigade after a few of her friends
recommended it to her. Sophie has
enjoyed being both a volunteer and career
firefighter with CFA. Sophie also gets great
personal satisfaction being involved in her
brigade and being able to help out her
local community.
Role in CFA: Station Officer
Job: Marketing Coordinator
Favourite colour: Purple
Favourite movie: The Notebook
Favourite food: Crispy chicken sushi
Likes: Cooking, running, reading
and travelling
Dislikes: When people think being a CFA
volunteer is something only boys can do
A quick fact about Sophie: Sophie loves sport and is training for the Melbourne Marathon – that’s
a 42 km run!
Training: Recruit Firefighters Course. After four years experience as an Operational Firefighter Sophie
successfully completed her Leading Firefighter assessment. Sophie then successfully completed her Fire
Officer Assessment 12 months later and was promoted to Fire Officer.
07/2014
Page 7 of 7
Beepa the Smoke alarm
Date of birth: 8 September 2010
Nickname: “Beeps” or “Rudolph”
Brigade: Angophora Grove
Background in CFA: Beepa started his working
life in CFA as a career firefighter and stayed in this
capacity for a few years but after he completed his
Fire Safe Kids training and started presenting in schools
he soon realised that his passion was in education
and sought employment as a Community Education
Firefighter. He has been in this role ever
since and has been very happy.
Role in CFA: Community Education Firefighter
Job: Travels around Victoria educating people about
how working smoke alarms can save lives and how to
main their smoke alarms
Favourite colour: Red
Favourite Movie: Ladder 49 and Backdraft
Favourite food: Spinach and Ricotta Canneloni
Likes: Bushwalking, reading, going to parties with friends and watching movies
Dislikes: Custard, flat batteries, people who shout and country music.
A quick fact about Beepa: Has a black belt in Kung-Fu, but doesn’t like fighting
Training: Certificate IV in Training and Education 2001, Fire Safe Kids certificate 2002,
minimum skills 2003. Beepa has also completed the 16 week intensive course in order
to become a career firefighter.
Presenter’s Resource • Page 59
07/2014
new addition