Kyneton Fire Brigade recently acknowledged combined service of more than 440 years at their Brigade Dinner and Presentation Night on July 25th at the Kyneton Bowling Club.
Long service awards ranged from 5-year certificates of service to 50 years of service for Enid Fielding and 55 years for Doreen Robbins who have been active members of our Auxiliary. These members have regularly provided much needed nourishment for firefighters on the ground. Along with other members of the fire brigade auxiliary, they continually supplied copious amounts of food and drink for firefighters over the many days of the Black Saturday fires.
A most significant service award was also given to Ex Captain Laurie Fielding who achieved 65 years of service. Laurie is something of an icon at Kyneton Fire Brigade and attends the station for almost all incidents, fires and training.
Laurie first joined Kyneton Fire Brigade in 1949 and has serviced in a range of roles – apparatus office, lieutenant, captain, communications officer, fire fighter and more recently brigade member. He was heavily involved in Brigade demos in his early years, competing in the first demo at the Kyneton Fire Brigade Track in Beauchamp Street in 1963. He recalls the early days when fire fighters had no radios, no telephones and no vital bottles of water on the trucks. Although there was an emergency pack of cigarettes on the vehicle that was kept stocked. All this of course in the days when the dangers of smoking were not so well known.
Laurie has served under ten captains and been captain himself for two stints totaling nine years as leader of the brigade. Some of the significant fires that Laurie has seen in Kyneton were fires at Collins Newsagency and Stanyer Motors in 1977 and 1978. He has also seen the relocation of the station and refurbishment of vehicles and equipment over the years.
In 1982, Laurie and fellow fire fighter Peter “Dookie” Doyle received the Gold Star Award, a prestigious award presented by the Victorian Fire Brigades Victoria (VFBV) that recognizes substantial contribution to that organization over more than 30 years. Both he and his wife Enid, are life members of Kyneton Fire Brigade. Laurie has encouraged other members of his family to be involved with Enid receiving a 50 years’ service award as well. Within the family, he estimates that there has been a total of more than 170 years of service.
Laurie is still actively involved in the brigade and can be relied upon to provide a coffee or biscuits to those at the station when things are busy. He is also a great barbeque cook.
Kyneton Fire Brigade would like to congratulate all award recipients and encourage others to be part of this great friendly community organisation.
Brigade Awards presented on the night
Noel Jenkins Trophy FF Martin BOURKE
Dedication to their training and a commitment to respond to the community when in need and participate as a team player in all instances
HR & JT Harper Memorial Trophy DGO Greg MCINYRE
Dedication and continued exemplary commitment to the Brigade in its goals and service delivery.
M. Donovan Memorial Award P/FF Zac BEVERIDGE
Encouragement to a first year member to continue and advance their service to the betterment of the Brigade and the community.
Clarrie Riordan Memorial Award FF Jess COCKERILL-WRIGHT & FF Chris JAMES
Recognise achievement in competition and the advancement of the team spirit of the Brigade.
CFA Long Service Awards:
AWARD SURNAME NAME
65 Year Clasp FIELDING Lawrence
55 Year Clasp ROBBINS Doreen
50 Year Clasp BOURKE Dot
50 Year Clasp FIELDING Enid
45 Year Clasp HENDRIKS Beth
20 Year Clasp STRAUCH Larina
20 Year Clasp LYNCH Bev
20 Year Clasp WHEELDON Bernice
20 Year Clasp PEARCE Wendy
15 Year Clasp BARKLEM Joan
10 Year Medal FERGUSON Thelma
10 Year Medal DICKINS Rohan
10 Year Medal GAMBLE Josh
10 Year Medal JAMES Les
5 Year Certificate TATTI Glenis
5 Year Certificate JAMES Brendan
5 Year Certificate REIDY Pam
5 Year Certificate MCCULLOCH Shani
5 Year Certificate FITZTOY-MOORE Sara
5 Year Certificate TAYLOR Rohan
TOTAL SERVICE (YEARS) 477.17
TOTAL AWARDS (YEARS) 440
Author: Josh Gamble