CFA Board member Ross Coyle ASFM and CFA A/CO Garry Cook (right) present Robert Bye and Dylan Sidebottom from Yarrawonga CFA with their National Emergency Medals at a ceremony in Shepparton recently.
Moira Shire CFA volunteers were honoured at a small ceremony of great significance in Shepparton recently for their role in fighting the 2019-20 bushfires.
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Several members of local brigades including Yarrawonga, Wilby and Tungamah were honoured with Yarrawonga CFA members Robert Bye and Dylan Sidebottom, Wilby members Lyndon Hart, John Schneider and Craig Blick and Tungamah members Stephen Butchers, Brian Wiseman, Ken Dodd, Shaun O’Dwyer, Lynda Cameron and Kerrie Hooks all worthy recipients of this prestigious medal and were honoured for their selfless work in fighting some of the worst bushfires in Australia’s history.
Tungamah Fire Brigade members Brian Wiseman, Shaun O’Dwyer, Ken Dodd, Lynda Cameron, Steve Butchers and Kerrie Hooks were congratulated by Mr Coyle and Mr Cook for their service during the 2019-20 bushfires.
The Black Summer fires were classified as a national emergency and ripped through large swathes of eastern Australia with many volunteer firefighters putting their hand up to fight the beast.
The ceremony, held on Thursday, June 22, saw 33 Moira Shire volunteers from across various brigades, receive the National Emergency Medal in front of family, friends and fellow CFA colleagues.
The National Emergency Medal is part of Australia’s Honours and Awards system and recognises significant or sustained service to others in a nationally significant Australian emergency.
CFA Acting CEO Jason Heffernan spoke of his pride for the CFA members’ efforts.
“The 2019/2020 fires devastated East Gippsland and the North East of Victoria,” Mr Heffernan said.
Wilby Fire Brigade members, CFA Board MemberJohn Schneider, Craig Blick and Lyndon Hart pictured with Mr Cook were fellow recipients.
“But from that crisis arose the most remarkable human spirit of generosity and ‘lending a hand’.
“Our medal recipients have exemplified that spirit, and I am incredibly proud of each and every one of them.
“Whether they joined a firefighting strike team, worked in an Incident Control Centre or provided other assistance to affected communities – every contribution was valuable made a real difference.”
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