Almost 40 volunteers from the Gunnedah shire have clocked up 1,393 years of service to the Rural Fire Service (RFS).
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On Saturday, the RFS presented long service medals and clasps to volunteers from the Gunnedah, Gunnible, Kelvin, Piallaway, Carroll and Orange Grove brigades at the Liverpool Range Fire Control Centre. Periods of service ranged from 12 years to 65 years.
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Liverpool Range district manager Myles O'Reilly said friends and families of medal recipients had travelled great distances to "share in the recognition of the recipients' dedication and commitments to keeping their communities safe".
Special guests included MP Michael Johnsen (representing Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott), senior assistant commissioner Bruce McDonald AFSM (representing RFS commissioner), RFS region north regional manager Tim Butcher, and representatives of Gunnedah Shire Council, Upper Hunter Shire Council and Liverpool Plains Shire Council.
Mr O'Reilly said he was thankful to the volunteers for their professionalism, commitment, and dedication to their communities.
"They were all worthy recipients of this recognition and ... [I'm] honoured to be part of their celebration," he said.
He also thanked the volunteers' family and friends "without whose support none of this would have been possible".
National medals/clasps are presented to members of the service in recognition of their years of diligent service, for members who go above and beyond what is expected of active members within their brigade(s).
Long service medals/clasps are presented to members of the service in recognition of their years of active service.
Recipients
- Michelle Van Gorsel, 12 years, Gunnedah and Liverpool Range support brigades
- Deputy captain Gregory McIlveen, 16 years, Gunnible brigade
- Julie Mammen, 18 years, Gunnible brigade
- Margaret Hood, 18 years, Gunnible brigade
- Captain Ken Moore, 23 years, Gunnible brigade
- Deputy captain Geoff Hood, 23 years, Gunnible brigade
- Michael McLoughlin, 26 years, Gunnible brigade
- John Pickett, 34 years including first and second clasps, Yarrari, Kelvin and Gunnible brigades
- Deputy captain David Alderdice, 35 years including first and second clasps, Piallaway brigade
- Deputy captain Keith Mutton, 36 years of service including first and second clasps, Piallaway brigade
- Senior deputy captain Tony Bernays, for 36 years including first and second clasps, Gunnible brigade.
- Malcolm Payne, 39 years of service including first and second clasps, Carroll, Orange Grove and Gunnible brigades
This year, the Liverpool Range district received 140 long service medal nominations, equating to almost 4500 years of service to the community.
