Outstanding service recognised at Wallan

Deputy Group Officer Peter Roylance received the CFA Outstanding Service Medal (pictured with his wife Jenny)

 

Wallan Fire Brigade Members and their families and friends gathered on Saturday 19 October to recognise more than 350 years of combined service to CFA and the community.

 

More than 80 past and present CFA members, family and friends were joined by Interim CEO Robyn Harris and Acting Commander Paul Brislin at the Wallan Bowls Club for the annual Wallan Fire Brigade presentation dinner.

Captain Tim Benetti thanked members for their tireless commitment to the brigade and acknowledged the family support that enables CFA volunteers to do what they do.

"You are the lifeblood of the brigade and I’d like to thank all of you for the time you’ve given to helping protect our community over the past 12 months," Tim said.

"I'd like to thank the unsung heroes - the wives, husbands, partners, mums, dads, children and others.... a heartfelt thank you from a captain who's job would be much more difficult if it wasn't for your support."

Tim also spoke about the incredibly busy year for the brigade, responding to 336 calls last financial year - the busiest year in the brigade's 87-year history - and the brigade's achievements including the delivery of the new heavy tanker in May.

Interim CEO Robyn Harris and Acting Commander Paul Brislin presented CFA service awards to Kacie Graham (five years), Brenton Allan and Chris Hill (10 years), Taylor Campbell, Chris Walker, Braydan Fletcher, Hayley Hanson, Justin Cardiff, Andrew South and Sue Howitt (15 years), Hayden McMennemin (20 years) and John Meldrum (35 years).

National Emergency Medals for the 2019-20 bushfires were presented to Andrew South, Hayley Hanson, Peter Roylance and Nathan Anderson. 

National Medals were presented to Justin Cardiff, Travis Gray, Andrew South, Allie Tuddin, John Tuddin, Nathan Anderson (1st Clasp), Deb Hanson (1st Clasp) and Colin Prentice (1st Clasp).

Deputy Group Officer and Brigade President Peter Roylance, who MCd the evening, was presented with the CFA's highest internal award, the Outstanding Service Medal to recognise his more than half a century dedicated to the protection of life and property from fire and other emergencies.

Peter joined Epping Fire Brigade in 1971 at age 15 and has maintained an exceptional level of commitment to CFA throughout his volunteer service. He has held an elected leadership role in a brigade or group (often at the same time) for the past 49 years and has mentored countless volunteers on their CFA journeys.

In accepting his award, Peter thanked his family and brigade members for their support and reflected on his years of service.

"These things don't happen without family support and that's been a big part of my achievement throughout the years of service," Peter said.

"I just love being there and listening to the different opinions and the conversations, from the newest member of the organisation to the 70-year-old member. It all means something in the big mix of things.

"The fire brigade became my real passion at age 15, because in those days you could become a senior firefighter at 15. From the word go, I was just totally dedicated totally to CFA and it has just been there all that time.

"Thank you very much. I'm just absolutely stoked."

The evening's formalities concluded with the presentation of internal brigade awards to Captain Tim Benetti, Firefighter Edward Martin and Firefighter Chris Answer, and the unveiling of a new Brigade Life Members honour board.

Live music and raffles entertained members into the night.

Photos courtesy of Uniform Photography.

 

Submitted by	Christopher Brockwell