Slopers honoured for 200 years of service to Avenel Fire Brigade

By Billie Davern

Jun 4, 2025

Avenel Fire Brigade captain Catherine McAllister presents Doug and Yvonne Sloper with an honour roll commemorating the 200 years of combined service the Sloper family has given to the brigade. Photo by Contributed

To the Avenel Fire Brigade, the Sloper family has committed a combined 200 years of service.

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The year 1936 marked the beginning of the Slopers’ involvement, with Doug Sloper’s father starting at the brigade that year.

It was 70 years ago that Doug himself officially joined the brigade, with his wife, Yvonne, joining around three decades later.

To mark the Slopers in history, the brigade has honoured the family with the Sloper Roll of Honour, a wooden board listing the names of those who have given 40 years of service to the brigade, and the brigade’s life members.

Doug and Yvonne agreed the board was a significant recognition.

“It was quite an honour, really,” Doug said.

“They’re calling it the Sloper board because nobody else has such a long history.”

Doug’s brother, Ken, was also an active member of the brigade and served as captain for 12 years before Doug took over the role for the next 12 years.

Over the decades, the family have seen a significant transformation within the brigade and CFA as a whole.

From communications being changed to a statewide operation to the introduction of radios, the family have been witness to how technology has shaped emergency services.

Their biggest takeaway from their years of service, however, is not this captivating experience of change, but rather something much more special.

“It’s all about the camaraderie and the friendships that you build up throughout the years,” Yvonne said.

“It’s like a family thing because everybody’s looking after everyone else.”

Despite their long years of service, Doug and Yvonne remain active volunteers at the brigade, with Yvonne still serving as treasurer.

What motivates them is not the material medals and recognition awarded for their work, but instead it’s that sense of fulfilment that many volunteers experience.

“With volunteerism, you only get out of it what you put in,” Yvonne said.

“You do it, but you don’t think about it; I’m not in it for the glory or anything, I do it because I’m asked.

“It’s that volunteerism — I would say that is probably the most rewarding thing.”

Doug said it was a feeling of duty that had kept him returning for so many years.

“Once it’s in your blood, you just do it,” he said.