The Reefton CFA celebrated the efforts of its devoted members at its annual dinner and awards night in early August.
Held at the Reefton Hotel on 13 August, National Medals were bestowed to three of its members and another celebrated their upcoming retirement after nearly 53 years of service.
Reefton CFA captain Sue Jack praised the brigade’s founding member and third lieutenant, Ross Minifie, for his longstanding dedication to the community of Reefton.
“Our founding member Ross Minifie, he received not only his national medal but his first and second clasp which recognised all the extra years of service, it was great,” Ms Jack said.
The National Medal is awarded for diligent long service to the community in hazardous circumstances, including in times of emergency and national disaster, in direct protection of life and property.
It’s awarded by the Governor General to personnel in Australia’s emergency services and requires at least 15 years of service.
This meant Mr Minifie’s outstanding 45 years of service saw him receive his first and second clasp medals too, which are awarded for every 10 years of service after the initial 15.
Ms Jack also received her National Medal on the night, however she said in the end, the Reefton community was the “heart” of the Reefton CFA brigade.
“We may be a small brigade and we may be remote and to a degree isolated, but the community is at heart and always has been.
“Even if we take the service awards and the medals out of it, that’s the heart of the brigade,” Ms Jack said.
Commander Andrew Booth celebrated his upcoming retirement after nearly 53 years of service and did the presentation for the award night.
Ms Jack said Mr Booth’s presentation added a lighted hearted touch to the night.
“He struggled with the red cushion that the medals are meant to be presented on, being royal medals, and we had a laugh over that.
“That made it kind of light-hearted, but that’s what it’s all about,” Ms Jack said.
The Reefton CFA received a “significant donation” from the Reefton Hotel and thanked the hotel for its support over the years.
“They always put on a great night for us, so we like to support local.”
Ms Jack said the medals received were just an award for the service the Reefton CFA provides to the Reefton community.
“The medals and that is just a reward for all of the work that we do trying to help the community, so it’s part of that bigger picture.”
She mentioned a five year plan for the Reefton CFA which would see a hub established at the brigade’s station.
The Reefton CFA received $80,000 to install solar panels and batteries at the station to help those in need during severe weather events.
Ms Jack said the awards also showed the newer members the recognition one can earn when putting in years of service to the Reefton community.
In the end though, the Reefton CFA relied on the skills of all its members to service the local community.
“We’ve all got different levels of experience and skills that we bring to the brigade, and that’s what it takes,” Ms Jack said.
“It takes a bundle of skills, not just one person.”
