Kyabram Fire Brigade volunteers are taking on a new challenge all in the name of charity. The brave Dom Dean, Jodie Elvey and rookie James Bray are Ky’s 2025 challengers.
Photo by
Jemma Jones
Pure grit, determination and a smidge of stupidity is what it takes to climb 28 floors in 25kg of gear — but who would choose to do that?
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Kyabram Fire Brigade volunteers Dominic Dean, James Bray and Jodie Elvey are joining a determined group of people who will put their bodies on the line all in the name of charity for the Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb.
On Saturday, September 6, they will join more than 700 competitors from across the country as they take the gruelling climb up the 28 floors of the Crown Metropol carrying 25kg of gear.
For seasoned climbers Mr Dean and Ms Elvey, the challenge intensifies as they tackle the ascent with their breathing apparatus on, making it even harder.
It’s Ms Elvey’s second time taking up the challenge, committing to her first in 2022 and helping to raise a total of $4157 towards cancer research and crisis support.
She said she had wanted to get back to the stairs since her last run, striving to beat her time of 13 minutes and 56 seconds.
Mr Dean is well aware of what it takes to do the stair climb, having completed it twice in the past, and said it was all about pacing yourself.
“You can’t go too flat out too early, otherwise you get to three quarters up and you fall into a dirty, grubby hole — that’s what happened my first time, I stopped about two or three times,” he said.
“Whereas last year, I continuously went up and didn’t stop. It’s just about pushing through barriers and pushing through the lactic acid in your legs because your quads feel it the most.
“We’re doing it to raise money, but it also takes a bit of stupidity to want to do it over and over again.”
While Dom Dean and Jodie Elvey have a bit of experience with the climb, James Bray is coming in with fresh eyes.
Photo by
Jemma Jones
Mr Dean said his one goal was to beat his personal best time of nine minutes and 57 seconds.
Mr Dean is leading first-timer Mr Bray through his first run. Mr Bray is confident he can slide under the seven-minute line.
“I’ve been practising on the stair climber at the gym … it’s not like the real thing — but you really do feel it in the legs,” Mr Bray said.
“I’d like to get seven minutes, but it’s more just about focusing on actually finishing more than the time.
“I’ve been told not to set a time.”
While personal records are a motivating factor, the heart of this event lies in its cause: raising vital funds for cancer research and crisis support.
The event supports Lifeline, the Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation and 000 Foundation.
However, cancer support is a special cause for the Kyabram participants, who each have had their run-ins with the disease over the years.
This year, the trio’s goal is $1000 each, totalling $3000 towards the nationwide goal of $1 million, but they said they wouldn’t be averse to raising a bit more for the cause.
The team will be running events to raise as much money as possible before the event, including a barbecue fundraiser at W&P Pumps on Saturday, August 23, and a golf tournament at Hill Top Golf and Country Club on Sunday, August 24.
The climbers are hoping it will be another unforgettable year up the steep staircase and an even more memorable amount of money raised.
“Cancer sucks, there’s no other way to say it … so to be able to give back by doing this feels even better than just finishing the climb,” Mr Bray said.
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