Nominations are still open for the 2022 Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM) for the Australia Day Honours.
Cobden Fire Brigade Member Mark Roberts received the AFSM as part of the 2021 Australia Day honours.
“I had to process the initial shock and realised there must have been people who had thought long and hard about this nomination,” he said.
“You’d think it’s more for people who’ve been around for 50 or 60 years and have done an exceptional job so that really puts it in context.”
“You don’t do this for the awards or the accolades, but I guess this is recognition of the position I was in after the St Patrick’s Day fires.”
Gisborne CFA Firefighter Ian Hay, received the AFSM after more than 43 years of service with CFA.
He commenced his volunteer firefighting career in 1975 at Bullengarook Fire Brigade, before transferring to Gisborne Fire Brigade.
He said he was “extremely humbled” to have received the AFSM honour.
“When I started at Bullengarook Brigade, I did not anticipate my involvement would have led me this far,” Ian said.
“I have met so many amazing people over the course of my CFA journey and looking back, I am grateful for every interaction.”
Other recent CFA recipients include Ross Coyle and Leighton Wraith.
Anyone can put forward a nomination for someone they know who deserves to be honoured. To nominate, visit the awards section of Members Online and download the relevant nomination forms and supporting documentation.
Members of the public can contact cfa-awards@cfa.vic.gov.au to obtain a nomination form and supporting documents. All nominations are strictly confidential.
If you would like to discuss your nomination idea or for any other award enquiries, please contact Belinda Gillespie at cfa-awards@cfa.vic.gov.au