Narrabri Rural Fire Service volunteer Richard Scilley began fighting bushfires when he was 13 years old.
On Monday Mr Scilley’s decades of service to the community through the RFS and his support for his RFS colleagues were officially recognised with the Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM).
The award was announced in the 2024 King’s Birthday Honours.
Mr Scilley’s medal, along with the award of AFSMs to seven other NSW recipients, applauds their dedication and support to the community.
Mr Scilley, now Group Officer with the Namoi-Gwydir RFS, has been a volunteer for almost 50 years but has no plans to retire from his community role.
Regarding the King’s Birthday honour he admitted “it hasn’t quite sunk in yet.”
RFS Commissioner Rob Rogers said the AFSM was awarded as part of the King’s Birthday Honours List for distinguished service by members of Australian fire services.
“All eight recipients have held leadership roles within their districts and have been nominated by their peers in recognition of their dedication and contribution.
“As mentors for the next generation of firefighters, these members have a wealth of experience responding to emergencies and their years of service are greatly appreciated by their colleagues and local communities.
“A special mention to Richard Scilley, joining the Service in 1975 as a teenager, fighting fires with his father,” Commissioner Rogers said.
“Much respected by the Tibbereena Brigade, Richard was elected Deputy Captain in 1991 and rose through the ranks to become Group Officer in 2011, where he continues to not only attend emergency incidents but also has a keen interest in the welfare of his colleagues.
Australian Fire Service Medals will be formally presented at an Investiture Ceremony at Government House later this year. Mr Scilley’s King’s Birthday Honours citation reads:“Mr Scilley joined the Tibbereena Brigade in the Namoi/Gwydir District in 1975 at age 13 and remains an operational member. He had the support of his fellow brigade members when they elected him Deputy Captain in 1991 and then Captain in 2004.
“An exceptional and respected leader, he was appointed Deputy Group Captain in 2007 and then Group Captain in 2011.
“Mr Scilley like many other senior RFS members, has participated in numerous events over the years.
“His work ethic is exceptional and his firefighting skill level and knowledge is indisputable.
“People listen to and follow his directions when he sets a strategy or command because they trust him.
“Mr Scilley was the first to volunteer for, and the last to leave, the prolonged Pilliga Forest fires.
“He has also attended numerous serious motor vehicle accidents over the years,” the citation notes.
“He protects his team members as much as possible from the horrific nature of some of the incidents and then monitors their wellbeing after the event.
“This inner strength and fortitude make him the person sought out when a call for assistance from police is received that requires special abilities. He has also promoted the RFS as a regular door knocker in his uniform for the Red Shield Appeal and he rarely misses an Anzac Day march.”
Richard Scilley began his involvement with bushfire fighting in the days when a vehicle with firefighting trailer attached attended the fires.
“We just got the trailer and got out there,” he recalled.
“My first fire was at Tuppiari in November 1962.
“Later, in 1997 I became more involved in the RFS and undertook more formal training.
“Nowadays we have much more training and much more equipment and safety gear.
“But we are still needing more young people to come forward and join the RFS – there is a simple pathway through a training weekend and basic probation and they can quickly be part of the team.
“You learn a lot as you go.”
There are challenging times, particularly when called out to serious road accidents – “but there is support and it’s good to know it’s there.”
Mr Scilley said he was pleased to be a part of the vital community service and planned to keep on in the role.
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