Bec Tribe honoured as a NSW Hidden Treasure

Years of dedication to the Rural Fire Service have been honoured for Bec Tribe, who has been celebrated as one of the state’s Hidden Treasures.

Mrs Tribe’s name has been added to the honour roll, which recognises the unsung heroes who give their time to help others in the community.

The Hidden Treasures honour roll is coordinated by the NSW Rural Women’s Network and the accolades are specifically awarded to women in regional areas.

Mrs Tribe is extensively involved with the RFS and has taken on many roles, including president and senior deputy captain at the Narrabri brigade, treasurer of the Namoi/Gwydir support brigade, Namoi/Gwydir branch RFSA secretary, and Division 10 secretary.

Just before her 18th birthday, Mrs Tribe joined the RFS in Coonabarabran and her support for the fire service has been unwavering during that time.

Following Coonabarabran, she joined the Dubbo brigade before making the move to Narrabri.

“I initially wanted to give back to the Coonabarabran community, which had given me so much,” she said.

“The reason I am still with the service has changed quite a bit.

“I do it for my fellow volunteers and the community.”

Involvement with the RFS has opened up new opportunities for Mrs Tribe and she has enjoyed the friendships she has made along the way.

“The RFS is my second family,” she said.

While still helping on callouts where time allows, due to family commitments, Mrs Tribe also enjoys playing a role with community education.

Just recently, Mrs Tribe was part of bushfire safety sessions in Gwabegar. She also enjoys talking to local schools about bush fire safety and taking those important messages to large community events like the Narrabri Show and the monthly Rotary markets.

Serving in the RFS is also a family affair, with husband Herbert active behind the scenes.

Mrs Tribe’s daughter, Amelia, is also a brigade member and her two younger children, Jordin and Charlie, are counting down the days until they can roll up their sleeves and become part of the RFS.

Namoi/Gwydir team leader Superintendent Michael Brooks described Mrs Tribe as someone who is well appreciated and respected in the RFS.

“She has quickly become an active member of the brigade and even more quickly gained the admiration of her fellow members,” Supt Brooks said.

“She is a hard-working volunteer for the community and her team. She has taken on many roles.”

Mrs Tribe’s name will now adorn the honour roll as a NSW Hidden Treasure, and she joins other locals acknowledged in previous years, including the late Shirley Pankhurst (Wee Waa), Joanne Horne (Wee Waa), Anna Madden (Wee Waa), Julie Dowleans OAM (Wee Waa), Liz Tomlinson (Narrabri), Megan Davies (Narrabri), the late Beth Brown (Narrabri), Christina Johansson (Narrabri), Julie Heiler (Boggabri), and Kelly Foran (Boggabri).