The artwork, painted by Guido van Helton, will be one of four stamps celebrating regional artwork on water towers around Australia.
Chesney Vale CFA captain Russell Ellis said it was fantastic for a member of the brigade to gain such national, and possibly international, exposure.
“Colin got a little bit of ribbing for his fame early on, but other than that he’s been pretty quiet about it,” Mr Ellis said.
“It’s really good for locals to get that sort of recognition and this portrait of Colin, with its inclusion in the stamp issue, is a wonderful way to showcase the brigade.”
The mural was painted in 2016 as part of a popular street art festival in Benalla and the surrounding region.
“It was an opportunity that Winton Wetlands took to use the tank as a canvas and allow the artist to paint some locals,” Mr Ellis said.
“Everyone thought it was great that the artist chose CFA as a subject.”
Mr Ellis said a version of the stamp would be displayed at the station and thanked Australia Post for including this particular artwork in the stamp issue.
He said it would help to recognise the work of Mr Hooke and the Chesney Vale brigade.
“We’re a small rural brigade but we’ve got a good core of active members.
“We’re building our reputation in the district every day and hopefully this will help to generate even more interest in the brigade.”
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