Morwell's Junior program stalwart honoured

Jackie Dalrymple with the Morwell juniors, Deputy Chief Officer Trevor Owen, Commander Gavin Parker

 

Much loved Morwell Fire Brigade member Jackie Dalrymple has been formally recognised at a special event for her extensive efforts in developing and nurturing the town’s local juniors.

 

At a surprise celebration held on Monday, 2 December, Deputy Chief Officer Trevor Owen had the honour of awarding her a CFA Commendation for Service in front of an adoring community crowd.

Trevor said it was a real pleasure to acknowledge the hard work and dedicated effort Jackie has gone to in developing the young people in the Morwell Fire Brigade through the Junior Volunteer Development Program.

“The impact Jackie has had on the lives of young people stretches far and wide, and does not go unnoticed by participants, families and the broader township,” Trevor said.

“It was a real treat and a surprise to her, and a great pleasure for me to publicly thank her for the lengths she’s gone to over the past two decades.”

Having not had a junior program for many years, Morwell Captain Wayne Draper said the much-admired Jackie grabbed the opportunity to revamp it.

“Jackie has a great deal of passion for the program and for junior kids learning the discipline side of the fire brigade - she’s been at the forefront of the program’s success,” Wayne said.

“She is committed to making it accessible for all local youth, it doesn’t matter if you have a disability, she finds a way to make you comfortable. It’s her forte.

“The love and appreciation for Jackie felt across the brigade was only further emphasised on Monday night. The amount of people joining the occasion was just incredible.”

The 14 juniors, made up of both girls and boys, focus on basic fire skills, first aid and team building exercises, alongside fun activities like movie nights and their recent presentation night at the bowling alley.

“The best part of our brigade is that we treat each other with respect and as family, and as Captain, I was so proud to see that embodied on Monday. There were a few tears in the room,” Wayne said.

“I set a challenge when I first took over, and that included the juniors. I set the framework and they’ve just gone from strength to strength, and Jackie’s been a big part of that.

“Two senior members are also involved who came up through the junior ranks themselves.”

Jackie’s son and Warragul brigade member Brian Dalrymple said CFA has always been a big part of her life and that she is always raving about the juniors.

“Over the years she's seen the benefits of the impact that the program can have on young and disadvantaged kids - which there are quite a lot of in Morwell and in the program,” Brian said.

“She gets an immense sense of pride when they go on to become senior members, and when they go on to have kids. She loves it when they bring their babies down to meet her.

“I joined when I was 16, and mum would drive me to the station and just sit in the car out the front. After a year they poached her in to join and she hasn’t left since.”

The program will continue to grow in the new year, with hopes to integrate with other CFA brigades and agencies like the Army Reserve for overnight camps, while across the station, numbers are strong, having welcomed 20 new brigade members in the last 18 months.

 

Submitted by	CFA media