General News
29 June, 2023
Service recognised
VOLUNTEERS of Camperdown’s Country Fire Authority (CFA) brigade have been honoured at the annual awards presentation night recently.
VOLUNTEERS of Camperdown’s Country Fire Authority (CFA) brigade have been honoured at the annual awards presentation night recently.
The celebration, held at the Camperdown Golf Club, saw service medals, a lifetime membership and the Fireman of the Year award bestowed to lucky individuals.
Fireman of the Year was given to Second Lieutenant Jack McKenzie, who said it was an honour to have won the award.
“A lot of respect, and a lot of people have won that award previously,” he said.
“To be recognized by the captain as someone who contributes to the fire brigade is always an honour, and I’m proud to be able to call myself someone that contributes like that.
“It’s a surprising honour.”
Mr McKenzie said the CFA was an amazing place, with each brigade being special.
“You form bonds that go deeper than you could possibly imagine, and it’s hard to say that sometimes to people who aren’t involved,” he said.
“It is an amazing place, and I’m so lucky to be part of it.”
Member Gary O’Neil was bestowed a life membership with the CFA, having joined the brigade in 1988.
Mr O’Neil became an active firefighter in 1991 after being a reserve member and is the 18th life member of the Camperdown brigade.
Also a passionate fundraiser for the Good Friday Appeal in Camperdown, Mr O’Neil was presented with the life membership with his family in attendance.
Mr O’Neil said, while cliché to say he did not expect the award, he was honoured to receive it.
“To be acknowledged for the service, it’s humbling,” he said.
“I’d encourage anybody, any gender, to think about it.
“All I wanted to do is give my service to my community, and it’s very rewarding.
“It’s very enjoyable; you make a lot of friends, you meet a diverse range of people, and it’s just a community organisation.”
Mr O’Neil said he joined one Thursday evening after a friend of his asked if he wanted to go and check out the brigade.
“We heard about it, and we went down, and the rest is history,” he said.
“We enjoyed it and stayed.”
Service medals were also presented to eight individuals for varying lengths of time, totaling 275 years of service to the CFA.
Members honoured for their dedication include:
• Barry Atchison for 60 years of service;
• Peter Stephens for 55 years’ service;
• Bernie Sinnott for 50 years’ service;
• Rex Lucas for serving 40 years between Weerite and Camperdown brigades;
• Gary O’Neil for 35 years’ service, which also qualified him for the life membership;
• Andrew Smith for 10 years’ service;
• Georgie Gretton for 15 years of service; and
• Paul Dunne for 10 years’ service between the Pura Pura and Camperdown brigades.
Attendees celebrated with a three-course meal, as well a raffle held on the night
