RURAL FIRE SERVICE PRESENTATION OF NATIONAL MEDALS AND LONG SERVICE LEAVE AWARDS
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Mr PHILLIP COSTA (Wollondilly) [7.27 p.m.]: I have spoken on previous occasions regarding the outstanding efforts of men and women in Wollondilly who give up their time to serve the community in the Rural Fire Service. The New South Wales Rural Fire Service is the world's largest fire service, with 70,000 volunteer members. One-half, if not more, of the Wollondilly electorate is either national park or water catchment area. In the major fires across the State in 2001-02—commonly referred to as the "Christmas fires"—more than 109 homes were lost. Unfortunately, 38 were in my electorate. There would have been many more if it had not been for the hardworking volunteers of the Rural Fire Service.
On Friday 11 April 2008 I attended the 2008 presentation of National Medals and Long Service Awards to exceptional servicemen and women in the New South Wales Rural Fire Service in my electorate. I was pleased to represent the Minister and to be there as the local member. Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons, Mayor Judy Hannan, Deputy Mayor Shane Read, General Manager of Wollondilly Les McMahon and Superintendent Ted Williams and many others attended the function. A National Medal recognises long and diligent service by members of recognised organisations that help the community during times of crisis. The medal recognises 15 years of diligent service by government organisations—in this case the Rural Fire Service. Bands are awarded for additional 10 years of service.
I had the honour of presenting medals to members on behalf of the Minister. National medals were presented to many people, including Lesley Bennett, Phillip Wesley Brockett, Donald Dixon, Norm Scherer, Cheryl Wilson, Peter Shearer and Geoff Browne. Their medals were awarded for 15 years of dedicated service. Peter Shearer and Geoff Browne were awarded the first clasp on their National Medals for 25 years of service and John Wallace and Ronald Baker were awarded the third clasp on their National Medals for a very distinguished 35 years of service.
Long service award medals were also presented to members for almost a lifetime of service in the Rural Fire Service. Ronald Baker and Geoff Gardiner were given long service awards for 52 years of service in the RFS. My good friend John Fergusson received an award for 51 years service and Graham Wallace, another good friend of mine, received one for 50 years. I have known these fine gentlemen for many decades and was particularly thrilled to be able to present their awards to them. John was and still is an active member of my local brigade and was my brigade captain for many years. Graham is an active member of the Rotary Club of which I am a member, and we spend much of our time serving the community. I was honoured to be able to present my friends with their awards.
The 35 years long service awards were presented to John Wallace and Ronald Baker, and 25 year national medals for long service were presented to Peter Shearer and Geoff Browne. Other distinguished service was recognised: Ronald Baker for 52 years, Geoff Gardiner for 52 years, John Fergusson for 51 years, Graham Wallace for 50, James Lambeth for 35 years, Howard Noakes for 35 years, Geoffrey Hughes for 29 years, Peter Fenning for 27 years, Geoff Browne for 25 years, and Helen Fenning for 25 years service. Many are good friends of mine. John Parry from The Oaks received an award for 25 years, Brian Rofe for 25 years, Bob Watson for 25 years, Graham Whitley from Buxton for 25 years, David Linhart for 25 years, David Ash for 23 years, Michael Gamola for 21 years, Terry Bruce for 16 years, Mark Landow, a good friend of mine, for 16 years, David Black for 15 years, Maurice Blackwood for 15 years, Daniel Chalker for 15 years, Ross Mitchell for 15 years, Jeffrey Morrell for 15 years, Wayne Southwell for 15 years, Steven Webb for 15 years, Stephen Westwood for 15 years, and David Whitman for 15 years.
It was a pleasure and an honour to hand out medals not only to these distinguished people but also to people in my community, many of them good friends of mine as an active member of the Lakesland Rural Fire Service. In total, awards for around 920 years of volunteer service were represented in the room on that night. It was an honour and a privilege to join the commissioner and the mayor in recognising the wonderful work of such community-spirited individuals and thanking them for making such a difference to the lives of everyone in our community.
Ms SONIA HORNERY (Wallsend—Parliamentary Secretary) [7.31 p.m.]: I commend the people of Wollondilly for their outstanding work for their electorate. The member must be very proud of them. It is great that the Rural Fire Service people who received long service medals received such acclamation for their fine work. I commend the member for bringing this information to our attention.