Belowra Rural Fire Brigade opens new station and recognises members

Assistant Commissioner Peter McKechnie will inspect the new facility and thanked volunteers for their ongoing commitment to their local community, the Far South Coast area and the Service.

Superintendent Cullen said the new $210,500 station would provide enhanced support to volunteers as well as the communities they protect.

“This new station will further help members of the Belowra Brigade assist with vehicle movements, brigade station maintenance and the fighting of fires locally,” Assistant Commissioner McKechnie said.

“We continually see how hard our skilled firefighters and support crews work to keep us safe when bush fires and other emergency situations threaten and I offer my sincere thanks and gratitude to all the NSW RFS members for their outstanding efforts. It is also important we recognise the support from family, friends and employers of our members.

“This facility provides our volunteers with the space to perform vital activities away from the fireground and features a number of truck bays, a training room, kitchen and bathroom amenities.”

Assistant Commissioner McKechnie will also recognise the dedication and commitment of long serving members at a medal presentation ceremony at the new station.

Eight National Medals and 17 Long Service Medals will be presented to ten recipients at a ceremony at the Belowra RFS Brigade.
“These members do not volunteer their time for the accolades, however these medals are a proud acknowledgement of the commitment shown by these individuals over the years,” Assistant Commissioner McKechnie said.

“More than 632 years of service will be recognised tomorrow evening and I know that the community is thankful for the world-class level of fire protection afforded to them by volunteers across the Far South Coast District.

“I personally extend my gratitude to all of our dedicated firefighters for their continued service to and for the community.”
Assistant Commissioner McKechnie is honoured to present Ewan Thomson with the National Medal 1st, 2nd, 3rd 4th and 5th clasp of his NSW RFS Long Service Medal.

“Ewan has been a dedicated volunteer member of the NSW RFS for 61 years after joining Belowra Bush Fire Brigade in 1958 and for all but five of those years has held the position of Captain,” Assistant Commissioner McKechnie said.

“Ewan is a humble man who always shows extreme dedication to all tasks and this has been demonstrated his entire 61 years with the service.”

Superintendent Cullen also recognised Ewan’s wife Kaye Thomson for receiving a National Medal 1st, 2nd and 3rd clasps and Long Service Medal 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th clasps for her 51 years with the service.