Bendoc members recognised with NEMs
Graeme Beever, Theo Hartmeier, Jim Stevenson and Ian Cole. Not pictured: Doug Cameron
Five members of Bendoc Fire Brigade have received National Emergency Medals (NEM) for their contribution during the 2019-20 bushfires.
With distance a factor, brigade member and new Group Officer Ian Cole accepted his medal as well as those of his fellow brigade members Doug Cameron, Graeme Beever, Theo Hartmeier and Jim Stevenson at a presentation ceremony in District 11.
All five members have also featured in the town’s local newsletter in recognition of their bravery.
With a town population of 109 and only 83 dwellings, Bendoc Fire Brigade operates in a small oasis in the middle of a forest and pine plantations, bordering NSW in the Mt Delegate Group area.
The closest brigades are 45 minutes away via slow, windy gravel roads.
The brigade has 32 operational members and even though they have not been busy since the 2019-20 fires, there is a small core group of active members making sure the trucks keep getting a run.