Learning magic

By Bridget Brady
THERE is magic in the air at the Cranbourne CFA.
Tom Hoppner spends much of his time fighting fires, but in his spare time he uses magic to spread the fire safety message to young minds.
Mr Hoppner, who lives in Berwick, discovered his love for magic after he learned a basic vanishing trick at a pub.
After perfecting his trick he joined a magic club in Melbourne and later created the show he now performs to children at Tom the Magic Fireman Show.
Each of Mr Hoppner’s tricks demonstrates a fire safety message.
“If that’s a rabbit that appears in a letterbox we talk about where to go when there is a fire in the house and once outside to go to the letterbox,” he said.
“Teaching fire safety in my work is really important to me. I’ve always thought it would be good to do it in a way that makes it fun and interesting.
“At the end of the day if they learn one thing and that’s not to pick up a box of matches, that’s a good thing.”
Mr Hoppner said one of the greatest rewards as a result of his show came when a child recognised him when he attended a fire at a residence.
“When we arrived at the house fire the kids were already outside waiting and I had done a show at their school a week earlier. They were waiting at the letter box and had learnt something from what I had taught them. That stands out in my mind.”
Mr Hoppner has only been at the Cranbourne station for a few weeks, but has been with the CFA for 19 years.
He has been performing his show for more than 10 years.
“I have the best job in the world.”