As the new year arrives, the Australian Firefighters’ Calendar, an initiative driven by a team of trained firefighters – including two Greeks – continues the 31-year-old tradition with a collection of steamy photos, all aimed at raising funds for diverse Australians . charities.
For 2024, enthusiasts can choose from six editions of the calendar, indulging in images featuring the brave men alongside their adorable animal partners.
Calendar of firefighters bringing Greek heat
More than 25 firefighters, including Greek Australian Michael Galanos and Greek Canadian Steve Giannopoulos, collaborated from various areas of aviation, military and urban fire services for a month-long photo shoot to create these iconic editions.
Steve Giannopoulos, one of the few firefighters selected for all six editions of the 2024 calendars, described his experience with the calendar team as “unreal.”
His participation in the calendar also marked his first-ever trip to Australia, a place that Giannopoulos said “has always been” on his “bucket list.”
“I killed two birds with one stone: visiting Australia and being part of the biggest firefighting calendar in the world. I met some great people who worked behind the scenes and some great firefighters. Plus, I’ve never held a koala in my life, so that was pretty cool. The experience was great and I’m very happy with the end result now that the calendars are out,” said Steve Giannopoulos. Neos Cosmos.
With his father from Sparta, the Greek-Canadian firefighter remains close to his Greek heritage; growing up in Canada, he attended a private Greek primary school, surrounded by friends mostly of Hellenic origin.
He shares that being a firefighter has been his “dream” since he “was a little boy.”
“I used to want to be a fire truck and not a fireman; It’s the running joke in the family. I then grew up and realized that they are not superheroes but real humans and that it is a real job. This drew me in even more and once I entered the fire academy, I fell in love and never looked back. »
As a “normal firefighter”, Michael Galanos admits that the idea of ”taking your top off and having a camera in your face is at first quite intimidating”.
“The crew and other firefighters, some of whom have worked on this schedule for many years, are able to create a fun, relaxed environment, and once the initial nerves wear off, it’s just incredibly fun. Animals, friends, laughter! Galanos said Neos Kosmos.
The Greek Australian said one of his favorite parts was being “offered the opportunity to hold and interact with wildlife”, something he “would normally never be able to do”, and he deeply appreciates the charitable aspect of this project.
“I love that the calendar can donate so much money to fantastic charities that do so much for our injured and needy native animals.”
Grow with Neos Cosmos home every week, and given that his brother, father and grandfather were all featured in the newspaper’s articles, it was no surprise that he would carry on the family tradition.
His father having been born in Kavala and emigrating to Australia in the late 1950s, Galanos says the main reason he chose to become a firefighter was “the desire to help and protect people and to make a difference “.
The calendar legacy of firefighters who have made a difference since 1993
The Classic calendar, known to many, features each man posing shirtless in front of the camera.
This year, the introduction of the “Heroes” calendar adds a dynamic touch, capturing firefighters in action: unfurling hoses, climbing ladders and standing amid flames. Highly anticipated editions also include those featuring brave men alongside adorable animals, like the Cat Edition, Dog Edition, Horses Edition and Mixed Animals Edition, ranging from cuddly koalas to playful kittens “.
Since 1993, the calendar has been not only a visual feast but also a force for good, contributing more than $3.4 million to various charities across Australia. With a rich history of supporting animal shelters and Australian wildlife, the calendar remains committed to these causes, making a significant impact on Australia’s rural firefighters and children battling cancer through its donations.
Calendar heroes raise awareness for Australian wildlife conservation
The sensational global calendar, displayed on fans’ walls in more than 90 countries, features firefighters who have appeared on top television shows and in renowned magazines, reaching audiences from Germany to Taiwan and United States to Japan.
Building on their popularity, these calendar heroes are actively spreading the crucial message of conserving Australia’s wildlife.
Proceeds from this year’s calendars will support various Australian organizations including the Queensland Koala Society, Kids with Cancer Foundation, Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital and Safe Haven Animal Rescue.
