TANKS A BUNCH: RFS northern region operations manager Superintendent Brian Daly, Northern Tablelands MP Richard Torbay, Wallangra deputy captain Mike McCosker, Inverell Shire Council mayor Cr Paul Harmon and Northern Tablelands manager Superintendent Chris Wallbridge with the new appliance.
VOLUNTEERS with a combined total of 510 years of dedication to the Rural Fire Service have been honoured at Ashford.
One volunteer, Bill Baker, had achieved an amazing 55 years of service to the Ashford brigade, while Graman brigade members Brian Lowe had clocked up 47 years’ service and John Buxton, 45 years.
The Rural Fire Service Northern Tablelands team had earlier celebrated the official opening of the new Wallangra Fire Shed and accepted two new fire tankers – one for Ashford and one for Graman.
Northern Tablelands MP Richard Torbay, who joined Inverell mayor Paul Harmon at the events, said he was “humbled” by the dedication shown by the volunteers toward their communities.
“Attending awards functions such as these is a great chance to publicly thank people who volunteer their time and efforts to make our communities safer,” Mr Torbay said.
“The Rural Fire Service has a strong history in the Northern Tablelands zone with some members approaching a half-century of service.
“I was humbled to meet the volunteers as they accepted their awards.”
Award recipients were presented with national medals marking 15 years’ service with clasps for each additional decade, or long service medals for 10 years of service. There were 24 award recipients presented with 26 medals.
