Drouin members Alister Noonan, Spencer Greaves and Marcus Achilles were presented with National Emergency Medals for their efforts during the Black Summer Bushfires 2019/2020.
Drouin West Fire Brigade members (from left) Kevin Armstrong, Bruce Jewell, Andrew Carnegie, Graeme Higgs, Tony Pinelli and Rob Wills. Gary Cheesman also received an NEM but was an apology.
There was a large contingent of Neerim South members who were honoured to collect their medals at the Lardner Park ceremony ( back, from left) Terry McPhee, Wayne Kerrigan and Nigel Cristifaro, (front) Julian Van Raalte, Alan Richardson, Captain Brian Barwick and Wayne Kerrigan. Absent: Stephen Anderson, Zoe Barwick, Ian Mackay.
Longwarry and District member Ashley Richmond received a National Emergency Medal.
Warragul Fire Brigade members Tim Moss and Mark Gallagher with their National Emergency Medals.
Erica and District captain Russell Wright with his National Emergency Medal.
Hallora and District members Peter Mascadri and Philip Ridgway were honoured with National Emergency Medals.
Westbury member Randall Cruickshank is presented with his medal by deputy chief officer Trevor Owen (left) and CFA board member Peter Shaw (right).
Yarragon members and recipients after the ceremony (from left) Andrew Sterling, Colin Lackman, Darold Klingworth, Douglas Springall and captain Ashley Smith.
Ted Osler, Russell and Lynden Dempsey and Jamie Magyar from Nilma North Fire Brigade received National Emergency Medals.
Local volunteer firefighters and CFA staff members were amongst 150 service members recently honoured with National Emergency Medals for their efforts in the 2019-2020 Australian bushfire crisis.
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.
The official ceremony was held a Lardner Park on Sunday, April 16 and included firefighters from Baw Baw, Bass Coast and South Gippsland municipalities, including members of Drouin West Fire Brigade, Drouin, Hallora and District, Neerim South, Nilma North, and Warragul Fire Brigade.
More than 5500 CFA members have received the honour for the 2019-2020 fires. CFA board member Peter Shaw presented the medals and said they were an important recognition of the valiant efforts of CFA members.
"The National Emergency Medal is a formal recognition that Australia appreciates the efforts and contributions of CFA members during the 2019-2020 bushfire crisis," he said.
"It is a great honour to receive this medal and I hope it goes a small way to thanking our members for their service."
CFA deputy chief officer Trevor Owen spoke of his pride in the CFA members' efforts.
"The 2019-2020 fires devastated East Gippsland and the North East of Victoria.
"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," he said.
