690 years of CFA service celebrated at Christmas Hills

Fred Kober receiving his 60-year medal of service from Captain Michael Scroggie and MC Peter Mildenhall

 

Christmas Hills Fire Brigade members and their families gathered at Panton Hill Hotel on 4 June to celebrate the end of a long fire season, and to acknowledge a number of members who between them have accumulated 690 years of service.

 

Sixty members and their guests enjoyed dinner at the Panton Hill Hotel while the presentations were made. A special slide show celebrating the rich history of the brigade also featured throughout the evening.

"This was an important event because one of our still operational members, Fred Kober, celebrated 60 years of service with our brigade,” Captain Michael Scroggie said.

"Fred joined us as a 16-year-old and has undertaken many roles over the years including captain, and has maintained his skills and fitness and still regularly turns out at local incidents," he said.

Not only did Fred receive a 60-year service medal but also a National Emergency clasp for his role as part of a District 14 strike team during the Black Summer fires of 2019-20. This clasp is in addition to his medal awarded for his service in the Black Saturday fires of 2009 which had a strong impact on the Christmas Hills community.

Acting Commander Matt Baber also presented Pete Rae and John Roberts with National Emergency Medals for their service in the Black Summer fires. He also presented service awards to more than 30 other members of the brigade.

This included four five-year certificates of service, five 10-year medals, nine 15-year medals (these were members who joined in the aftermath of the Black Saturday fires), four 25-year medals, two 30-year medals, one 35-year medal, two 40-year medals, two 45-year medals, a 50-year medal, and Fred’s 60-year medal.

Michael Scroggie paid particular tribute to two active members who received 45-year medals.

"Di Simmons and Robyn Adams have provided outstanding service to the brigade as active firefighters, but more particularly as members of the Brigade Management Team over the past 40 years or so," he said. 

"They have performed nearly all the BMT roles over extended periods of time, from captain in Di’s case to all levels of lieutenant roles, secretary/treasurer, training, OHS and comms. I don’t think there has a been a time in the past 40 years when one or the other or both haven’t been on the BMT.”

Nillumbik Group Officer Matt Knight also paid tribute to Di and Robyn’s leadership and support at the group and district level as well and noted their strong role in the mentoring of women firefighters and leaders across CFA.

Their previous professional lives as lecturers and researchers into fire science and environmental studies at Deakin was also instrumental in the development of the brigade mantra 'Red truck green heart' which underlies our approach to fire management and suppression in Christmas Hills.

"While we took this opportunity to thank them for their enormous contribution to the effectiveness of our brigade up until now," said Michael Scroggie, "we are further grateful that Dianne and Robyn will continue as active firefighters at Christmas Hills and in management roles at Nillumbik Group".

 

Submitted by	Peter Mildenhall