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The highly anticipated Australian Firefighters Calendar has just released its 2024 edition. The annual photo shoot brings together Australia’s shirtless firefighters for the 31st time, all in the name of philanthropy. Selling for 23 Australian dollars (approximately 73 Brazilian reais), the calendar is already available for purchase and can be shipped to Brazil.
Over 25 Australian firefighters joined forces for the photoshoot to create the six editions of the 2024 calendar. Since its first edition in 1993, photographer David Rogers‘ project has donated over 3.4 million dollars to charities across Australia. The profits from the calendars benefit wildlife shelters, rural firefighters, and children suffering from cancer.
Each of the six editions of the 2024 calendar showcases a different firefighter and their connection with some of Australia’s adorable animals. From cute koalas to playful kittens, the images capture the compassion these firefighters represent both inside and outside their uniforms.
The 2024 calendars are available in classic version, featuring dogs, cats, horses, various animals, and firefighters portrayed as heroes. There are also options from the project featuring only the animals and a variety of products, such as hats, pillow covers, eco bags, and more.
American firefighters
Due to the popularity of the Australian Firefighters Calendar in the United States, two firefighters were brought in to participate in the calendar photoshoot. Also, in this 2024 calendar, a Canadian firefighter was invited to participate:
CADEN TROY: 27-year-old firefighter/paramedic from the United States.
“I have had a love for firefighting ever since I was a kid visiting my dad at the station he worked at. The brotherhood and camaraderie was always something I strived for but never fully understood until I joined the fire service 6 years ago. That family atmosphere is exactly what I found when I was asked to be a part of the 2024 Australian Firefighters Calendar. I was able to firsthand see the amazing people, animals, and unique environment that Australia has to offer. Most importantly I had the opportunity to interact with the numerous charities and foundations that the calendar benefits and learn of the importance of conservation efforts in order to protect our wildlife and environment. We live on one shared planet and this is a message I am more than happy to take back to the States and share with my audience. And oh yeah, I almost forgot…ripped Firefighters with adorable animals. I think people might enjoy that as well”. Caden Troy, who works at the St. Lucie County Fire District in the United States, shared.
JACOB HACKER: 30-year-old firefighter from the United States.
American firefighter, paramedic, actor, and model born and raised in rural Ohio. One of my goals was before the age of 30 I wanted to be in the Australian Firefighters Calendar. When I was younger in my fire and medic career, it began as a joke because I felt like I could never be physically capable or fit enough to be one of those men you see in the calendar. After 10 years of handwork and dedication I reached out to the Australian Firefighters Calendar, to my surprise they were impressed by my journey and wanted me to partake in their calendar. This was a dream come true and one of the greatest honors of my life to be an American featured into an Australian Firefighter’s calendar for a good cause.Jacob Hacker, who serves at Willard Fire and Rescue in Ohio, United States, shared.
STEVEN GIANNOPOLOUS: 30-year-old firefighter from Canada.
Firefighting was my dream as a little boy. I remember playing with all my little fire truck toys pretending to respond to emergencies and being fascinated every time I saw a real-life fire truck ripping to calls. As I grew up, I realised that it’s not superheroes that are doing this job but actual people. From That moment on I knew firefighting was what I wanted to do! I applied and went through all the rigorous tests and had the opportunity to become a firefighter at a really young age. It’s been 9 years now and I haven’t looked back. One of the most dynamic and demanding jobs but also the most rewarding being able to serve your community and help people on the worst days of their lives” . Steven Gionappilous, who serves at Ottawa Fire Service in Canada, reported.
CHARITY PROJECT IN THE USA
To give back to the support shown by fans in the USA, the Australian Firefighters Calendar will continue to support charities in the USA for the third consecutive year.
The Rescue Rebuild program is a shelter renovation initiative by Greater Good Charities. This year, the Florida Wildlife Project in Fort Lauderdale will receive support to rebuild its turtle rehabilitation enclosure through the Rescue Rebuild program.
Like all our wildlife projects, the goal of these initiatives is to provide wildlife facilities with the ability to better care for their animals and enhance their life-saving capabilities.
Promoting turtle rehabilitation helps protect a key species and many other species that benefit from its survival. Many other animals use the old turtle burrows for their own survival, so there are numerous benefits to preserving the gopher tortoise.
“The Greater Good Charities is immensely grateful for the ongoing support from the Australian Firefighters Calendar! The funds raised from the calendar sales will support a renovation at a wildlife rehabilitation facility through our Rescue Rebuild program in November. Thanks to this generous donation, this facility will be able to care for more animals and protect endangered species that are vital to our ecosystem”, says Zach Baker, VP of Pet Programs at Greater Good Charities
INSTITUTION THAT WILL BENEFIT 2024
The Australian charities that will benefit from the profits of the firefighter calendar in 2024 are:
The Queensland Koala Society: an organization that relies solely on public donations. The donation will be used to help sick and injured koalas return to their natural habitat as quickly and safely as possible.
Kids with Cancer Foundation: The foundation for children with cancer provides financial assistance to families from funds maintained through direct donations, charity events, and lotteries contributed by the public. Families facing financial vulnerability due to their children’s cancer diagnosis can apply for access to the funds to assist with bill payments.
Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital (BBWH): Conceived and launched by veterinarians Dr. Stephen Van Mil and Dr. Evan Kosack, the Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital is a registered charity and a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee. The BBWH provides dedicated and specialized veterinary services to wildlife, free of charge. Its mission is to conserve, protect, and ensure positive outcomes for the well-being of Australian wildlife through treatment, rehabilitation, research, and education. The licensed mobile veterinary hospital, affectionately named Matilda, operates from a customized semi-trailer, making it the largest Mobile Wildlife Hospital in Australia and the only one of its kind in the world. Operating from its base near Byron Bay, Australia, the mobility of BBWH allows it to be swiftly dispatched to a natural disaster site to assist in the assessment and treatment of injured, traumatized, and displaced wildlife anywhere in Australia.
Safe Haven Animal Rescue: The SHARI is a non-profit organization and registered charity operating in the Southeast Queensland region, Australia. They are a small group of volunteers working together to rescue, rehabilitate, and find new homes for dogs and cats.
The 2024 Australian Firefighters Calendar will also support the following organizations: Wildcare Inc, Fauna Rescue of SA, Native Animal Rescue, CAVFA, Queensland Koala Society, Best Friends Felines, All Breed Canine Rescue Inc, Healing Hooves, and Safe Haven Animal Rescue.
To purchase the calendar, simply visit this link.
