Five CFA members and a partner or friend have been rewarded for their dedication during this year’s fire season with a luxury cruise aboard the Queen Mary 2.
They will join members of emergency services in Queensland, NSW and Tasmania on the two day voyage which will leave Brisbane, bound for Sydney, on Tuesday (5 March).
The “Salute to the Summer Heroes” prize was generously donated by Cunard and Carnival Australia.
The prize follows a busy summer for emergency services across Australia, with fires raging in Tasmania, Victoria and NSW, and fires and floods in Queensland.
Executive Director of Operational Training and Volunteerism, Lex de Man said more than 400 nominations for the prize were received from CFA members across Victoria.
“One thing that shone through from many of the entries received was the number of members that entered, not for themselves but for their CFA colleagues,” Mr De Man said.
“This epitomizes the camaraderie and team spirit shared amongst CFA, something which we can all be very proud of. It is recognition of all CFA members over this busy bushfire season.”
Cunard President and Managing Director Peter Shanks said Queen Mary 2’s ‘Salute to the Summer Heroes’ was a small way of recognising the outstanding contribution of emergency services personnel.
“Queen Mary 2 makes a huge impact wherever she goes and we are delighted she can play a part in recognising the service and sacrifice of firefighters who routinely defend and protect their communities,” Mr Shanks said.
The winners are:
Wolfgang Krause of Christmas Hills Brigade turned out to the Kangaroo Ground fire and other smaller grass fires in the area this summer.
Phil De La Haye of Hastings Brigade was nominated by two other people. He has been busy this summer organising strike teams for the Heyfield, Grampians and Harrietville fires.
Noel McWilliams of Erica, also a CFA staff member, worked at the Heyfield and Erica Incident Control Centres in Planning and Capability roles.
Colin Brown of Corryong Brigade worked on numerous fires this season in the Upper Murray and NSW.
Leigh Dwyer of Toolong Brigade worked on the Grampians complex fire as a crew leader.
Author: CFA Media