Castlereagh volunteers commended on service

Twenty seven members from local brigades gathered today to be honoured with Long Service Medals to mark their on-going commitment to both their brigade and community.

"Every one of these volunteers has gone over and above the call of duty during their many collective years with the Rural Fire Service.

"These ladies and gentlemen have shown exceptional loyalty to their local community, managing to amass more than 950 years service between them.

"I'd like to make particular mention of Max Fairall who has been an active member since joining the Dandry Bush Fire Brigade in the 1950's.

"Throughout this time he has been a driving force behind many of the hazard reduction burns conducted in the area and assisted the brigade in securing new vehicles.

"Rowly Wilks is another member being honoured today who has been actively fighting bush, grass, house and car fires with his fellow brigade members for 65 years.

"Much of the land these volunteers protect is used for agricultural purposes including large pastoral properties, mixed wheat, sheep and cattle farms.

"As a result these volunteers have the added responsibility of protecting not only their neighbours' homes, but their land, equipment and stock as well.

"Volunteers in this area have been particularly busy in recent weeks getting a number of important hazard reduction burns underway around the Coonabarabran area.

"Despite the wet weather that's been plaguing the area brigades have also managed to undertake more than 70 hazard reduction burns in the last year.

"Each and every one of the volunteers here today is worthy of our most sincere thanks and I would like to personally praise them, not only for their commitment to the Service, but also their community," concluded Commissioner Fitzsimmons.