General News
25 April, 2024
Beloved volunteer farewelled
NOORAT’S Country Fire Authority (CFA) volunteers are mourning the loss of beloved CFA Life Member David ‘Croz’ Lourey.
Mr Lourey passed away last Thursday, leaving behind a legacy of dedicated community service no better encapsulated by his 65 years of service as a member of the Noorat and District CFA Brigade.
Noorat and District CFA Brigade captain Michael Williams said Mr Lourey’s family had described him aptly as “quite a simple man”.
“It’s probably the best description; he was just happy to go with the flow,” he said.
“He was the first to every meeting, and on hot weather days he was always there sitting at the station – whether he was in an operational capacity or not.
“He was someone who was just always around.”
In recognition of Mr Lourey’s 65 years, current brigade members made the decision at the brigade’s recent bi-annual election to nominate him for the prestigious recognition of CFA Life Member.
“He’s one of the longest serving members in the history of the brigade,” Capt. Williams said.
“He’s performed a number of roles from captain, various lieutenant roles and he’s been the chairman for our brigade for the past 20 years, which he only recently relinquished.
“He’s held pretty much any role possible in 65 years, which is just remarkable effort.
“The bittersweet thing is we got a notification last Wednesday to say his life membership was approved and ready to go, and then on Thursday he passed away – so we presented his family with the life membership this week.”
Capt. Williams said Mr Lourey was among the rare few who reach the 65 years service milestone, but his driving motivation was quite straightforward.
“He was a farmer at Glenormiston and went on to work at Glenormiston College as well as the Mt Noorat Hotel; in those days the Mt Noorat Hotel was situated beside the fire brigade,” he said.
“In those days it was a natural progression that if you associated with the pub, you also ducked next door.
“For him it was very much the social atmosphere, and just giving back to the community.
“He was highly respected, well-liked and his service was something we’re all in awe of – we’re forever grateful for Croz, and we’ll miss having him around.”
Mr Lourey was also the dearly loved husband of Helen, and father of Pauline, Michael, Frank, Mark, Shane, Leon and their families.