RFS presentation 2

MORE than 950 years of combined service by RFS volunteers has been recognised with the awarding of National and Long Service Medals, including five members reaching milestones of 50 years or more and the posthumous honouring of Reg Richards for 73 years of service.

RFS Acting Deputy Commissioner Viki Campbell, Narrabri Shire mayor Darrell Tiemens with recipient Duncan Allan, Narrabri brigade, 25 years diligent service National Medal and 20 and 30 years Long Service Medals.

As reported last week, it was an action-packed day in Narrabri on 12 June, with the grand opening of the Namoi-Gwydir Rural Fire Service Precinct.

RFS Acting Deputy Commissioner Viki Campbell, Narrabri Shire mayor Darrell Tiemens with recipient Len Hall, Deep Creek brigade, 50 years Long Service Medal.

The day marked a major investment in local emergency services, with almost $15m committed across the Namoi Gwydir District.

This includes the new $13.1m Fire Control Centre and the official handover of six new firefighting vehicles, valued at a combined $1.896m, to local brigades.

RFS Acting Deputy Commissioner Viki Campbell, Narrabri Shire mayor Darrell Tiemens with recipient Tony Schwager, Spring Plains West brigade, 50 years Long Service Medal.

The precinct is located on the Old Newell Highway at Narrabri West, adjacent to the existing RFS facilities.

Narrabri Shire mayor Darrell Tiemens spoke at the event and played a role in the official proceedings.

RFS Acting Deputy Commissioner Viki Campbell, Narrabri Shire mayor Darrell Tiemens with recipient Tony Schwager, Spring Plains West brigade, 50 years Long Service Medal.

“This is actually about you today… thank you very much for all the service you put in as volunteers,” Cr Tiemens said.

During the ceremony, the late Reg Richards was remembered for more than seven decades of RFS service as a proud member of the Tibbereena brigade, serving on the Northern edge of the Pilliga Forest, an area characterised by extreme fire risk and surrounding small properties.

RFS Acting Deputy Commissioner Viki Campbell, Narrabri Shire mayor Darrell Tiemens with recipient Steve Eather, Baan Baa brigade, 50 years Long Service Medal.

“As both a firefighter and officer, Reg was instrumental in the growth, strength and sustainability of the Tibbereena brigade,” superintendent Scott Mack said during the afternoon medal presentation ceremony.

“His leadership, commitment and deep understanding of the local landscape set a standard to which others aspired.

RFS Acting Deputy Commissioner Viki Campbell, Narrabri Shire mayor Darrell Tiemens with recipient Richard Scilley, Tibbereena brigade, 50 years Long Service Medal.

“This legacy of service extended beyond his own contributions, inspiring future generations, including his son.

“His lifetime of commitment, leadership and community spirit has left an indelible mark on the Tibbereena community and the Namoi Gwydir district, and his service will be remembered with enduring gratitude and respect.”

RFS Acting Deputy Commissioner Viki Campbell and Narrabri Shire Mayor Darrell Tiemens pictured with Margaret Gleeson, accepting on behalf of her father, the late Reg Richards of the Tibbereena brigade, who was posthumously recognised with a 70 years of Long Service Medal.

Richards’s daughter, Margaret Gleeson, collected her father’s 70 years Long Service Medal, presented by acting deputy commissioner Viki Campbell and Narrabri Shire mayor Darrell Tiemens.

Campbell acknowledged Richards’s outstanding contribution as well as the tireless efforts of all local RFS volunteers at both the morning and afternoon medal ceremonies.

One of the well-deserving recipients was Graham Cameron, Spring Plains West Brigade captain, recognised with a 40 years of Long Service Medal, he is pictured with his family Wendy, Tom and Jean Cameron.

“More than 950 years of combined service is an extraordinary achievement,” she said.

“When you think about it, that represents almost a millennium of local knowledge and commitment – representing generations of volunteers who have trained others, mentored younger members, led brigades and stood beside their communities through good times and bad.

Senior project officer infrastructure Matthew Smith, infrastructure manager Alison Heald and Assistant Commissioner Nicholas Medianik, director of fleet and infrastructure.

“The recipients being honoured embody the values that have made the RFS what it is today.

“To every medal recipient, thank you for your professionalism and service.

“To your families, thank you for the support you provide behind the scenes.”

RFS acting deputy commissioner Viki Campbell and Narrabri Shire mayor Darrell Tiemens with recipient Tim O’Hanlon, Narrabri brigade, 25 years diligent service National Medal and 30 years Long Service Medal.

Acting deputy commissioner Campbell acknowledged that the members did not volunteer for the accolades, but she encouraged them to wear their medals with pride.

“They represent the great Australian tradition of mates helping mates,” she said.

RFS acting deputy commissioner Viki Campbell and Narrabri Shire mayor Darrell Tiemens with recipient Craig Morris, Narrabri brigade, 35 years diligent service National Medal and 40 years Long Service Medal.

“To all our volunteers across the Namoi Gwydir district, thank you for everything you do to help keep your communities safe.”

The five recipients of 50 years of Long Service medals included Len Hall from the Deep Creek brigade, Richard Scilley AFSM from Tibbereena, Steve Eather from Baan Baa, and Tony Schwager and Murray Watson from Spring Plains West.

RFS Acting Deputy Commissioner Viki Campbell, Narrabri Shire mayor Darrell Tiemens with recipient Wayne Cherry, Narrabri brigade, 15 years diligent service National Medal and 20 years Long Service Medal.

One of the most poignant moments during the afternoon medal ceremony was when Len Hall stepped up to the microphone after receiving his 50 years Long Service Medal.

Hall paid tribute to one of his fellow Deep Creek Rural Fire Brigade members, Alex Johns, who died in a motor vehicle accident on Good Friday in 1980, on his way home from a fire.

It was a powerful reminder of the dangers RFS volunteers face not only during incidents but also on their way to and from the scene, as well as the sacrifices they make to help others.

RFS Acting Deputy Commissioner Viki Campbell, Narrabri Shire mayor Darrell Tiemens with recipient Noel Woodyard, Narrabri brigade, 15 years diligent service National Medal and 10 and 20 years Long Service Medals.

Cr Tiemens’s admiration for the district’s RFS volunteers, past and present, was clear as he made honouring them a priority during the Namoi-Gwydir Rural Fire Service Precinct opening day.

“We acknowledge the firefighters and the bravery and the service that they provide our community,” Cr Tiemens said.

“And also, of course, the husbands, the wives, the girlfriends, and their kids, and everyone else who offers support, we have an incredible volunteer army in this local area.”

RFS Acting Deputy Commissioner Viki Campbell, Narrabri Shire mayor Darrell Tiemens with recipient Phil Davies, Narrabri brigade, 15 years diligent service National Medal.

From Baan Baa to Bellata, Spring Plains West to Wallah, local brigades and their dedicated members were celebrated for selflessly going above and beyond when responding to a wide range of emergencies, including grass fires, bushfires, structure fires, flooding incidents and rescues, as well as motor vehicle accidents, where they are often first on the scene.

Whether it’s safeguarding their local area, responding during Section 44 deployments or generously putting their hands up to assist with fires in Victoria or the floods at Taree, the district’s members were praised for their invaluable local knowledge, steady, calm and professional presence, incredible skills and community spirit, exemplifying the very best of volunteer service.

RFS Acting Deputy Commissioner Viki Campbell, Narrabri Shire mayor Darrell Tiemens with recipient Megan Davies, Narrabri brigade, 15 years diligent service National Medal.

During the National and Long Service Medal presentations, these quietly achieving local volunteers found themselves in the spotlight – a place many may not have felt entirely comfortable with as they posed for a photograph, yet one they are unquestionably deserving of as their years of commitment and sacrifice were recognised.

“I take my hat off to the volunteers because they leave their properties, they leave work, and they attend these incidents,” superintendent Mack said.

“A lot of times they don’t know what they’re going to find until they get there.

RFS Acting Deputy Commissioner Viki Campbell, Narrabri Shire mayor Darrell Tiemens with recipient Stewart McDougall, Narrabri brigade, 10 years Long Service Medal.

“And they keep turning up. I just admire them for it.”

The members’ community engagement was also highlighted, from assisting at local events like the Narrabri and Wee Waa shows to helping Santa Claus arrive in his signature style, on an RFS truck, at Christmas Tree gatherings.

The friendships formed and fulfilling aspects of the role were another topic of conversation on the day.

Looking ahead, superintendent Mack encouraged community members to consider becoming involved with the Rural Fire Service.

RFS Acting Deputy Commissioner Viki Campbell, Narrabri Shire mayor Darrell Tiemens with recipient Edward Agius, Jacks Creek brigade, 10 years Long Service Medal.

“If anyone would like to join the RFS, contact their local brigade,” he said.

“We’re always looking for members, and there’s a job for everyone.”

Please see last week’s edition or visit – narrabricourier.com.au for more photos and reports about the opening and medal ceremonies.