Echuca CFA members have been recognised at their annual awards night and dinner, held at Moama Bowling Club on Saturday, October 12.
The event featured special guests including former Echuca captain Ron Hooper, who delivered a speech, state Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh, neighbouring brigades and other emergency services.
Echuca CFA captain Daniel Moylan was happy with how the night turned out, attracting a crowd of more than 100 people.
“It went extremely well,” he said.
“It was good to see everyone in one place, recognising what we’ve achieved over the last 12 months.”
A range of honours were given out, including long-service awards, life membership, Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria Gold Star and the Echuca Firefighter of the Year.
Todd Wholohan was named Echuca Fire Brigade Firefighter of the Year, selected by the Captain and 1st Lieutenant, based on CFA values and their contribution to the service.
Receiving their five-year certificates were Kyle Bartlett, Bridget Burke, Martyn Currey and Matthew Edgley.
The 10-year medal went to Alex Green; 15-year medal Colin Atkinson and Vinnie Rosenow; 30-year medal Colin Munro and Luke Waterson; 45-year medal Charles Dennis; and Ian Addicott received his 60-year medal.
The Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria Gold Star awards, which honour 30 years’ service supporting the association, were given to Warren Dwyer, Robert Farrow, Mark Hooper, Colin Munro, Paul Nicoll, Lindsay Rosenow, David Stephens, Stuart Stevens, Alan Trevena, Justin Wills and Luke Waterson.
CFA life membership was awarded to Warren Dwyer, Robert Farrow, Martin Flanagan, Mark Hooper, Paul Nicoll, Lindsay Rosenow, David Stephens, Stuart Stevens, Alan Trevena, Justin Wills, Cheryl Dwyer, Maree Farrow, Julie Robertson and Michelle Rosenow.
Recipients of the National Medal, awarded by the Governor-General in recognition of prolonged exposure to (a) hazard in the service of the community, were Charles Dennis, Warren Dwyer, Alan Edwards, Robert Farrow, Martin Flanagan, Ron Hooper, Darren McGarvie, Colin Munro, Daniel Moylan, Rhys Pontelandolfo, Lindsay Rosenow, David Stephens, Stuart Stevens, Alan Trevena, Luke Waterson and Justin Wills.
“These are given out for 15 years of diligent service and contribution,” Mr Moylan said.
“It’s not just a CFA award, it goes across the police, army. It’s a fairly high and prestigious.
“I don’t do what I do for the medals, but it’s great to be recognised for the efforts we all put in to what we do.”