General News
28 March, 2025
Stawell to host state championships
The Stawell community has been given a major boost with the Country Fire Authority announcing next year’s State Firefighter Championships will come to town.
The Stawell community has been given a major boost with the Country Fire Authority announcing next year’s State Firefighter Championships will come to town.
The championships are a major event on the CFA calendar, bringing together competitors from across Victoria.
It is estimated up to 5,000 people will visit Stawell over two weekends in 2026, with many staying at local accommodation houses, eating at local restaurants and pubs and visiting local tourist attractions.
It’s predicted several million dollars will be injected into the local community as a result of the championships.
Stawell CFA Captain Mal Nicholson said the brigade is chuffed to have the championships coming to town in 2026.
“We ran the State Championships in Stawell in 1995, 2000 and 2006 so it will be great to have people back in the town, supporting the area especially after the bushfires over the Christmas period,” he said.
“The championships are also a great opportunity to showcase the area and local community to CFA volunteers from across the state.
“We know the Stawell community and Northern Grampians Shire will get behind us to make the 2026 State Championships a fantastic event. See you all in Stawell next year,” Captain Nicholson said.
Mayor Karen Hyslop said events like the State Firefighting Championships are a great shot in the arm for Stawell businesses and the wider economy.
“It’s a huge economic benefit for the Shire and just a huge drawcard for the region.
“Getting people into Stawell and they’ll probably travel a bit out of Stawell and see how beautiful our shire is and what we have to offer and hopefully they will want to come back for another visit,” she said.
“I’m sure the local CFA are pretty excited by it. They put a lot into what they do, they’re a fantastic organisation and to have something like this come to Stawell is a vote of confidence in them.”
“Getting people back into our region is a huge positive,” Cr Hyslop said.
StawellBiz President Llewelyn Clark said the event will bring a huge economic boost to Stawell.
“Events like this are just phenomenal for country towns and the economic benefit that we all feel and gain from these great events are just fantastic,” he said.
“All of the accommodation houses will benefit, the food venues and retailers alike will all feel the benefit and stimulus from having such an influx of visitors.
“I remember as a child the CFA held championships in Stawell many years ago but even back then there were thousands of people here for the weekend, I remember the buzz the town got from it back then and of course now days this is going to be bigger and better no doubt,” Mr Clark said.
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