Grandchester Rural Fire Brigade

20/05/2026

It's nice to see our little town recognised and the hard work our First Officer puts in for her community!

First officer Donna Jackwitz has been with her brigade 37 years, with her three children Rachel, Jael and Daniel – all in their 30s – all joining at 16.
Grandchester is a brigade of 25 serving the small community west of Ipswich, but also reaching out towards the Lockyer Valley.
“I’ve made it my unpaid career – I just love doing it,” Donna says.
“Grandchester is a little village with a school, a pub and our fire brigade. We’ve also got the Spicer’s Hidden Vale retreat nearby and we often get called out towards Laidley.
Donna predicts another busy year for her brigade.
“Fires have already started this year.”

17/05/2026

04/05/2026

International Firefighters Day!

Thank you to our volunteers who give up their time to support our local community.

20/04/2026

Tonight we did training with Mount Walker Rural Fire Brigade, it is a great opportunity to come together as Brigade's and learn how the old and new trucks work. Look forward to many more training nights together!

10/04/2026

Morning everyone,
A fire permit has been issued for the Grandchester area. Smoke will be visible for a while.

28/03/2026

08/03/2026

Happy international women's day and thank you to the women in our brigade for their support and dedication.

02/02/2026

A big thank you to the Rosewood Men’s Shed and Rosewood Lions Club for the donation of an honour board for our station. Now to add the names!

26/01/2026

Donna was nominated for Rosewood and Surrounds Citizen of the year, amongst many other amazing community members who dedicate many mamy hours volunteering for their community.

Donna was awarded the Citizen of the Year and we as a brigade couldn't be more proud of her. 40ish Years of volunteering at the Grandchester Rural Fire Brigade, plus numerous other assosciations of the years. Very well deserved.

Congratulations Donna Jackwitz 🎉

15/12/2025

With the days heating up and the ground drying out, landholders are wanting to burn off.

All fires over 2m in any direction require a permit.

Permits are free.

In rural Queensland the use of fire is controlled through the volunteer Fire Warden network.

Remember, if you live in an urban or rural fringe community, the Fire Warden could be your local fire station.

The Fire Warden’s role includes:
-granting or rejecting applications for permit to light fire
-determining the conditions under which permitted fires can be lit
-advising owners and occupiers of the need for fuel and hazard reduction
-recommending safety precautions for the protection of homes and assets.

https://www.fire.qld.gov.au/safety-education/using-fire-outdoors/fire-wardens

cartoon compliments of the Sentinel News