Queen's Birthday AFSMs 2019 - William Richard Eade

Summary

Congratulations to William Richard Eade, NSW RFS recipients of the Australian Fire Service Medal, announced on the Queen's Birthday 2019.

Mr William Richard EADE - Orana Team, Region West

Mr Eade joined the Stuart Town Brigade in 1960 and has served with distinction over the past 59 years. In 1990 he was appointed Group Captain in the Wellington Council area, a position he still holds today.

He has attended many major fires in the district, and has assisted the NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) and his community as a Sector and Divisional Commander, Strike Team Leader at many major incidents.

As a young volunteer in December 1965, he attended a major fire which burned over 6,000 acres, destroying stock and much grazing country. In January 1975, he combatted a fire burning 22,000 acres and 11 rural properties including his own in the Stuart Town and Euchareena District. He has also served at major fires across the state including Snowy Mountains Cooma District, at the Blue Mountains Katoomba area in the early 2000's, as Divisional Commander at the Goonoo Fire Dubbo in 2006, which burned 126,000 ha, at Wallaby Rock Mudgee 2007, and at the Wuuluman Wellington District in 2017.

Over the years and the many incidents he has been involved in, he has shown strong leadership, dedication, commitment and support for the training and development of the volunteers producing results well above what is expected on and off the fire ground.

Mr Eade has also served as Chairman of the Orana Senior Management Team and assisted the neighbouring Cabonne Local Government Area in all types of incidents.