The Rural Fire Service was well represented at the Queensland Fire Emergency Services (QFES) 2016 Australia Day Achievement Awards in Rockhampton today.
More than 60 staff and volunteers ranged from firefighters to SES volunteers, trainers, administration officers to Rural Fire Service members from central and western Queensland.
QFES Assistant Commissioner for Central Region Ewan Cayzer said today’s recipients were recognised for a wide range of roles that played a vital part in providing a highly trained and professional response during times of crisis.
“Our emergency services personnel and volunteers are most visible during times of crisis, but there are many people behind the scenes in training and support roles whose work often goes unheard of,” Mr Cayzer said.
Deputy Commissioner Mark Roche told the packed conference room that the work carried out by staff and volunteers went beyond the local community.
“We currently have a number of incidents across Australia, and Tasmania is under the pump at the moment with significant fires,” he said.
QFES was currently in discussions with the Tasmanian and federal fire services to identify what contribution it could provide.
“So our acknowledgements today is not only about the community. Our community is very far and wide,” Mr Roche said.
“It is not only our local community, it’s about our national and our international communities.”
Amongst the awards, several rural fire services were singled out for their contribution during Tropical Cyclone Marcia, which ripped through the coast from Yeppoon through to Biloela last year and left 40,000 homes without power for up to a week.
The Fitzroy, Keppel, Miriam Vale and Port Curtis Group of Rural Fire Brigades received the Rockhampton Regional Council Appreciation Gifts.
Westwood Rural Fire Service Brigade was also recognised for its support during a seige in Mt Morgan last year.
An armed man hid in the bush, evading police and lighting fires as a decoy.
The fire service was awarded the Queensland Police Service Assistant Commissioner’s Certificate of Appreciation for its contribution during this time.
Amongst the recipients were veteran graziers and volunteers Bruce McCamley, Fern Hills, Bajool, and his neighbour Don Creed, Comerford, who have been quietly lending a hand to their South Ulam community for decades.
Mr McCamley received the Diligent and Ethical Service Medal (DESM) and first, second, third and fourth clasps for his 40 years of recognised service.
Meanwhile, Mr Creed was awarded the Diligent and Ethical Services Medal and first and second clasps for 30 years of recognised service.
The Australia Day Achievement Medallion was awarded to Kevin Cook; Maxine Godley; Matthew Hamilton; Partrick Hollands, Moura; Cheryl Ireland; Robert Price, Baralaba; Ian Richardson, Calliope; Matthew Richardson, Blackall; Peter Smith, Moura; Reece Swanson, Glendan; and Michael Watson, Moura.
The Australia Day Appreciate Certificate was awarded to ABC Central Region; APN Australian Regional Media; Channel Seven Rockhampton and Mackay; Department of Natural Resources & Mines; Queensland Parks and Wildlife Services; Southern Cross Austereo; Di Stanley; and WIN News.
The National Medal was awarded to Janet Scott, Mark Taylor and Stuart Wolfe. The National Medal First Clasp was awarded to Terence Penrose.
National Medal Second Clasp was awarded to Alan Bloomfield.
SES Meritorious Service Medal was awarded to Luke Sherwood; and Robert Jeacocke received the SES Meritorious Service medal 40-year Clasp.
Diligent and Ethical Service Medals were awarded to Ewan Cayzer, Mark Erridge, Todd Johnson, Kristal Johnston, Karen Lucas, Ian Richardson, Naomi Scott, Christopher Sullivan, Mark Taylor, Derek Treichal, Grant Western and Stuart Worle.
Diligent and Ethical Service Medals and first Clasp were awarded to Gregory Chandler, Jason Gronn, Terence Penrose, Gary Rees, Janet Scott and Gavin Thomas.
DESM first clasp was awarded to Edward O’Brien and the DESM third clasp was awarded to Wayne Smith.
Queensland Country Life will feature some of the recipients next week.
