Rohan Rizzoli’s family has lived in Werribee since the 1950s. He has deep connections to the community through the Werribee CFA, his job as a school sports adiminstrator and his support of local sporting teams.
Tell us a bit about yourself
I’m a born and bred local, my family has been in Werribee since the 1950s. I grew up in Wyndham Vale and moved to Werribee in my early teens. I attended St Andrew’s Primary School and MacKillop College, where I was fortunate to be offered a traineeship after completing Year 12. Fourteen years later, I’m still working at MacKillop as a sports administrator, working closely with students and staff across all year levels, organising the logistics and administration of sporting teams and competitions. I also support the physical education and applied learning areas and have worked with several student engagement programs, assisted students who face various challenges.
What is your connection to the Werribee community?
I’m a proud volunteer with the Werribee CFA and have been a member for 14 years. I currently hold the rank of Lieutenant and have been part of the brigade’s leadership team for the past four years. Werribee is the busiest of over 1,200 CFA brigades in the state.
In the past year alone, our brigade has responded to over 1100 incidents, I have attended over 450 of them. We have a dedicated group of community focused individuals at our brigade which is like a second family to many of us. It is a challenging role to play in your own community, but I am grateful to be able to help others in their time of need.
What do you like about where you live?
Even though Werribee and the wider Wyndham area have grown into a large city, we’ve managed to keep a country town heart. Whether you’re walking down Watton Street or popping into a local café or shop, you’re bound to bump into someone you know. There are many friendly faces and you’re quick to make a connection with every person you encounter. If you ever need something, you will always be able to find it in Werribee.
Why did you become a firefighter?
I always wanted to become a police officer, and I thought volunteering with the CFA would be a great stepping stone and a way to gain insight into the emergency services. What I didn’t realise at the time was just how much was involved, from community engagement and education to fundraisers and events, plus training and responding to emergencies. It’s incredibly rewarding to be able to support community members during what are often the most challenging moments of their lives.
What are some misconceptions about firefighting?
A lot of people may not realise the level of commitment involved in being a volunteer firefighter, especially in Werribee. We train weekly, often multiple times a week, and respond to around three incidents a day on average. Recently, we had a day where we responded to 13 incidents, starting at 2am and finishing with the last call at 10pm. It’s a huge responsibility and involves a lot of sacrifice.
Where is your favourite place to spend time?
I love watching local sport and supporting our teams. I’m often down at Soldiers Reserve or Galvin Park watching Werribee Districts or Werribee Centrals play. I also enjoy following the Werribee Football Club at Chirnside Park — it was fantastic to see them win the VFL premiership last year.
What, if anything, would you change about where you live?
I’d like to see more action on crime and stronger support for our police and wider emergency services, I see the challenges they face firsthand every day. I believe both council and state government need to take a more proactive approach on crime.
We desperately need more recreational spaces for young people, particularly in areas like Manor Lakes, Tarneit, and Point Cook. Facilities like Eagle Stadium and Aqua Pulse should be replicated in these areas to meet the growing demand. There are too many local sporting clubs that cannot cater for our youth due to lack of infrastructure.
Sport and recreation are powerful tools for youth engagement, and I believe expanding access would play a key role in reducing crime, not just in Werribee and Wyndham, but across Victoria.
