General News
31 August, 2025
Local firefighters take on Stairclimb
Two of Warracknabeal's CFA members, Isabella Orszulak and Cody Polack, are almost ready to conquer the Melbourne Firefighter Stairclimb challenge on September 6.
Now entering their final stages of preparation, the pair are ready to put their bodies to the challenge.
The Melbourne Firefighter Stairclimb challenges participants to climb up 28 floors of the Crown Metropol in 25kg of personal protective equipment, allowing them to test their endurance while raising vital funds to fight cancer, depression and suicide.
Ms Orszulak and Mr Polack both share similar motives to why they have decided to participate in this year's challenge.
"I've wanted to do it for a few years," Ms Orszulak said.
Missing out on the experience two years in a row, she thought this year was her chance.
"The first year I was underage because you have to be 18, and then last year I was working when registrations opened," she said.
"By the time I took my break, it was too late."
Making sure she registered on time this time around, she made herself unavailable to work.
"It's another challenge to push myself and for mental health and cancer research," Ms Orszulak said.
"Those have played a big part in my life."
Mr Polack said he wanted to do it last year, but he lucked out as he was still underage.
"Now that I turned 18 this year, I decided to take part," he said.
"It raises money for depression, mental health and cancer, which are all a big part of my life."
To prepare for such a challenge, Ms Orszulak said she has been going to the gym five times a week, where she has been focusing on strengthening her legs, back and shoulders for the 25kg of gear that will be carried up the stairs.
"The gym also has a stairmaster, so I have been using that as well," she said.
"I've got a weight vest that I have been using and have been wearing a backpack with weights in it."
A recent CFA training exercise at Wilken Grain allowed the pair to practice using the breathing apparatus (BA) gear that they will wear.
Mr Polack said he has been utilising the local grandstand at Anzac Park to help prepare for the climb.
Fundraising goals for each of them have been slowly increasing over time as they surpass original targets.
Ms Orszulak's initial goal was $1000, which was then easily increased to $1600, and now it's currently set at $2000.
So far, she has raised $1800.
"I've also been collecting cans, which I will take to Bentley's and cash in," she said.
After Mr Polack's employer, Rural Northwest Health (RNH), posted about his fundraising efforts on Facebook, his tally began to increase.
"My goal was $500 then I raised it to $1000 and I hit that within two days," he said.
Looking ahead to the Melbourne Firefighter Stairclimb, they both expressed their feelings about the challenge.
"I'm nervous, but it should be good," Mr Polack said.
"I'm really looking forward to it."
"I'm just going to do my best," Ms Orszulak said.
To donate to Cody Polack, visit https://www.firefighterclimb.org.au/climber/codypolack/.
To donate to Isabella Orszulak, visit https://www.firefighterclimb.org.au/climber/isabellaorszulak/.