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With over 636 years of loyalty to the fire service, Trafalgar locals know that when you hear the Mynard name around town that you are in safe hands.
It all started with John Francis (Jack), in 1946, and his three brothers Robert (Bob), Herbert (Bertie) and Ronald (Ron) who followed in his footsteps from 1960. From there, it was their children who took the reins, with the third generation now making their way through the ranks of Trafalgar Fire Brigade.
Current Trafalgar 2nd LT Peter Mynard, who has spent months researching his family’s CFA history, said he grew up not knowing any different.
“Our fathers were all in the brigade, starting out before we were born, so for the second generation and definitely for the third generation, it is the norm,” Peter said.
“It wasn't necessarily expected for us to join. I know for myself and my brothers, it was more so if we wanted to, that we were encouraged. If we didn't want to, we were free to go off and do whatever else we wanted to do.
“Every time the fire siren went off back then, it was a get up and disappear mentality. If you were at a friend's place and an alarm called and their dad didn’t do that, it was odd for us.”
While the Mynard family is synonymous with CFA, it seems volunteerism has always been in their blood, with three family members also serving with SES alongside CFA for over 50 years combined.
Their allegiance to Trafalgar has remained strong across the family, with 18 out of the 21 family members walking through the doors, and only three venturing elsewhere. Now, seven still turn out as active firefighters, and others assist as support members.
“Danny, Brian, and I are at Trafalgar, Gil is at Mount Taylor and Nick is at Traralgon West, while David is interstate, and Shane is a staff member with FRV.
“While there are no sisters, there is one daughter and a couple of wives that were firefighters, but now still help with fundraising activities and functions. Everyone is involved.”
When asked if competitive with each other, it could be said they all play to their own strengths and have gravitated naturally into a role that best suits them.
“For those of us on the fireground still, we all have very different skills, and we utilise them alongside each other to best benefit the brigade. One has just stepped down as Captain, one is 1st LT and Training Officer, and I am 2nd LT and Group Delegate,” Peter said.
Peter said once the family members hit the fire station it is strictly brigade business and having had one of their names continuously on the honour board since 1970 it is clear the Mynard family resume spans all walls of CFA.
“We’ve had Captain’s, Lieutenants, Secretaries, Communication Officers, Training and OH&S Coordinators, firefighters and members,” Peter said.
“Some have started from junior ranks, while others have become Deputy Group Officer’s, Group delegates, Volunteer association delegates and worked in air operations.
“Our longest serving family member has reached 60 years, while Chris was recently presented with his 50-year medal and others have achieved between 10 to 50 years.
“We are made up of brigade and CFA life members, National Medal and National Emergency Medal recipients, Outstanding Service Medal and Valour Medal recipients and Gold Star award recipients with 38 accolades between us.”
The 21 family members have brought skillsets from a range of different occupations. From office jobs to truck drivers, fitters, welders, mechanics, bus drivers, storeman’s, accountants, teachers and more.
It took a family funeral and the tragic loss of an aunty to bring the family members together in one room. It was there they discussed gathering at the station before Christmas lunch to get a group photo to celebrate their service.
The sixteen members have a combined 506 years of service, 370 of those at Trafalgar. For the entire family, 494 years has been dedicated to Trafalgar, while a total of 636 years has been given across the entire fire service, including as staff and with New South Wales Rural Fire Service.
Members in the photo:
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Back Row L-R Nick (6.9,) Aaron (3.8), Ian (10.4), Brian (22.2), Chris (51.9), Gil (51.1), Glenda (21.7), Andrea (12.6), Katie (30.7), David (37.3) {13.7 CFA 23.6 RFS}
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Front Row L-R Morris (56.1), Danny (41.2), Shane (41.7 ) {12.4 Vol 29.3 Staff}, Bob (62.7), Peter (41.8), John (14.2)
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