Konongwootong Fire Brigade acknowledged the extended volunteer service of 22 members of the community at an awards ceremony at the Konongwootong Hall on Saturday 26 November.
By Lynn Gunning
Konongwootong brigade is part of the Nareen Group in District 5.
Active Service Awards were presented to CFA members who had undertaken continuous active service, while recognition certificates were presented to those brigade members who had retired. Between them, the brigade members had amassed a staggering total of 863 years of fire protection to western Victoria.
Around 60 community members attended the ceremony that was conducted by Konongwootong Captain Rohan Gunning. The awards were presented by District 5 Operations Officer Andrew Barry and BASO Owen Roper.
Almost one quarter of the years of volunteer service came from three community stalwarts.
Peter Gunning and Ray Sutherland received Active Service Awards for 65 years of continuous service. Meanwhile, Ken Waters was acknowledged for 60 years of contributions to the community.
Multiple family members from four local families received awards.
Several of the longer-serving members noted the fire at Tarrayoukyan on 2 January 1956 that burned out Barrama was the worst they have attended during their involvement in the brigade.
The presentation was followed by a lunch in recognition of those who had volunteered.
Konongwootong Fire Brigade members and years of active service:
Peter Gunning: 65 Years Active Service Award
Ray Sutherland: 65 Years Active Service Award
Kenneth Waters: 60 Years Active Service Award
Geoff Beaton: 50 Years Active Service Award
Roland Hope: 45 Years Active Service Award
Robert Plush: 45 Years Active Service Award
Ian Wall: 45 Years Active Service Award
Robin Cameron: 45 Years Active Service Award
Ian Sutherland: 40 Years Active Service Award
Steven Cooper: 35 Years Active Service Award
David Bunge: 30 Years Active Service Award
Mark Bunge: 30 Years Active Service Award
Warwick Brown: 25 Years Active Service Award
Ray Clay: 25 Years Active Service Award
Helen Waters: 25 Years Active Service Award
Stephen Waters: 25 Years Active Service Award
John Creasey: 20 Years Active Service Award
Dianne Creasey: 20 Years Active Service Award
Retired brigade members who were recognised with a certificate of appreciation:
Keith Bunge: 49 years of service
Peter Bunney: 46 years of service
Keith Beaton: 41 years of service
George Doyle: 32 years of service
Image captions:
Group photo: Front (left to right) - Peter Bunney, George Doyle, Roland Hope, Steve Cooper, Owen Roper (District 5 BASO), Rohan Gunning (Captain), Ray Sutherland, Peter Gunning, Ken Waters, Ray Clay, Helen Waters and Andrew Barry (District 5 Operations Officers).
Rear (left to right) – David Bunge, Mark Bunge, Stephen Waters, Harry Brown (representing Warwick Brown), Cecil Wall (representing Ian Wall) and Ian Sutherland.
Image 2: (left to right) Owen Roper, Ray Sutherland, Peter Gunning, Ken Waters and Andrew Barry. The three volunteers with a combined total of 190 years of continuous service proudly display their Active Service medals.
Image 3: Retired brigade members George Doyle and Peter Bunney pictured with their certificate of appreciation, presented by Konongwootong Captain Rohan Gunning and OO Andrew Barry.
Author: Duncan Russell