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Volunteer service recognition events in the south-west

Member News image Port Fairy group photo. Back row (L-R): Kane Church, Darren Farley, Treva Jol, Hugh Worrall, Garth Palmer, Ben Murrihy; Front Row (L-R): Kevin Spencer (seated), Juanita Stevens, Peter Lane. Photo credit: BASO Melissa Mueglitz

 

There has been a flurry of presentations taking place in District 5 recently with Port Fairy, Wangoom and Hamilton brigades all holding dinners and service recognition events.

 

Wangoom brigade held a dinner on Friday 21 October, where Assistant Chief Fire Officer Richard Bourke attended to celebrate the occasion. Some 28 members were eligible for service awards on the night, with a total of 525 years of service across all award recipients.

On the same night, South East Catchment Team personnel Commander David Ferguson and BASO Melissa Mueglitz attended the Port Fairy brigade dinner held at The Wharf restaurant in Port Fairy.

At the gathering, 11 members were presented incremental service awards ranging from five-year certificates of service through to a 60-year CFA Life Membership medal for ex-captain Kevin Spencer.

Current brigade Captain Hugh Worrall was bestowed the National Medal and 1st, 2nd and 3rd Clasps for his ongoing diligent service.

Commander Ferguson told guests the application for Hugh's National Medal had been lodged in 2019 but had gone unpresented due to COVID-19 restrictions impacting brigade dinners over the past two years.

Prior to the event, Commander Ferguson also presented the National Medal and 1st, 2nd and 3rd Clasps to Firefighter Jim Starling, who was unable to attend the dinner.

"Jim commenced his service in 1969, dedicating over 50 years of his time to CFA and his community, carrying out a variety of roles during this period. He is a worthy recipient of the National Medal and Clasps in recognition of that commitment," Commander Ferguson said.

Hamilton brigade held its dinner on the Saturday evening, 22 October, with more than 80 members and guests sharing an evening together at the Hamilton Exhibition & Conference Centre.

The event was attended by CFA Board and District 5 representatives, who were also kept busy with service recognition presentations on the night.

There were 20 brigade members eligible for CFA service awards, totalling 440 years of service. These awards were presented by ACFO Richard Bourke.

CFA Board Member Beth Davidson also presented National Medals and Clasps to the following brigade members:

National Medals: Lieutenant Nathan Appledore and Firefighter Rodney Van De Hoef

National Medal 1st Clasp: Captain Malcolm Anderson

National Medal 2nd Clasp: Firefighter Wayne Nagorcka

Congratulations and well done to all those members recognised across the three events.

 

  • Member News imageNational Medal and 1st, 2nd and 3rd Clasps recipient Captain Hugh Worrall with Commander David Ferguson. Photo credit: BASO Melissa Mueglitz.
  • Member News image National Medal and 1st, 2nd and 3rd Clasps recipient Firefighter Jim Starling with Commander David Ferguson. Photo credit: BASO Melissa Mueglitz.
  • Member News image National Medal recipients – (L) Lieutenant Nathan Appledore; (R) Firefighter Rodney Van De Hoef. Photo credit: Hamilton Secretary Talitha Farrawell.
  • Member News image National Medal recipients – (L) National Medal 1st Clasp – Captain Malcolm Anderson; (R) National Medal 2nd Clasp – Firefighter Wayne Nagorcka. Photo credit: Hamilton Secretary, Talitha Farrawell.
Submitted by BASO Melissa Mueglitz