On Saturday 18 November about 90 guests gathered at Drouin West Fire station to celebrate more than 270 years of both combined Senior and Junior Service from its members.
The event included presentation of six National Medals, a CFA Life Membership, along with the Junior Member of the Year and the prestigious Dale Award for the Firefighter of the Year.
Guests included DCO Alen Slijepcevic AFSM, Commander Ben McKie, Baw Baw Group Officer Osler, Member for Narracan Wayne Farnham MLA, newly-appointed Baw Baw Shire Deputy Mayor Cr Tricia Jones and Baw Baw Shire Councillor Cr Darren Wallace.
Award recipients included:
- CFA Life membership – Glen Garden
- National Medal 3rd Clasp – Graeme Higgs
- National Medal 2nd Clasp – Jeff Locklier, David Underwood & Glen Garden
- National Medal 1st - Clasp – Tony Pinelli
- National Medal – Julie Underwood
Senior Service Awards
- 5 Years: Narelle Fowler, Julie Thomas
- 10 Years: Delwyn Carnegie, Cooper Davis, Erynne Juraschek
- 15 Years: Jan Garden, Malcolm Jolly
- 25 Years: Chris Higgs & Craig Norbury
- 40 Years: Glen Garden
- 50 Years: Graeme Higgs
- 55 Years: Ian Symons
Junior Service Awards
- 1 Year - Kayla Engelbrecht, Jonathan Konstas, Jaida Higgs & Erynn Thomas
- 2 Years - Grace Wills, Isobel Needham & Beau Higgs
- 4 Years - Bevin Narayan & Riley Wills
Paul Day also received the prestigious Dale Award, awarded to the Firefighter of the Year. Jaida Higgs received the Junior Member of the Year.
One of the highlights was the presentation of an Outstanding Service Award to Graeme Higgs, who has given 50 years of service to the brigade.
Over the years Graeme has held many roles including captain for 20 years and a District Group Officer for 21 years. His involvement in the brigade has not waned throughout his 50 years of service.
Brigade officers and guests-
Junior Award recipients
- Graeme, Jaida and Chris Higgs
-
Firefighter of the Year Paul Day
-
Senior award recipients
| Submitted by |
Bruce Jewell, Drouin West Fire Brigade |