Two Yarra Junction CFA members were commemorated for their devotion to the brigade last week.
Barry Booker was awarded his 60 Year Service Award and Catherine Branson her 30 Year Service Award for their unwavering support to the community.
Mr Booker started firefighting in 1965 at the Woori Yallock CFA before he moved to the Yarra Junction CFA in 1973 where he has helped shape the brigade over the decades.
He said the Yarra Junction CFA was always full of camaraderie and teamwork.
“A lot of the time, my favourite thing was the camaraderie,” Mr Booker said.
He was well known for always being the first one to offer help and was a seen as a leader within the brigade.
“Barry’s willingness to lend a hand wherever needed is a shining example of the CFA volunteer spirit,” a Yarra Junction CFA Facebook post read.
“Barry is a cornerstone of Yarra Junction Fire Brigade, and we are incredibly fortunate to have him as part of our team. We look forward to many more years of his wisdom, support, and humour.”
“Thank you, Barry, for your unwavering dedication and enthusiastic service. Every brigade needs more volunteers like you.”
Ms Branson became a member of the Yarra Junction CFA in 1992 at the age of 12 following in the footsteps of her grandfather and father who’d also served in the brigade.
“Continuing on that tradition that we have in our family and being able to basically help the community and be there when people need us feels really good,” Ms Branson said.
She recalled her first turn out at a house fire in Wesburn and said it was an eye-opening experience for her.
“That was quite an experience, seeing real fire… and actually being there, feeling the heat coming from the house and actually experiencing real fire was a bit of an eye opener… it was definitely something that I’ll never forget because you don’t forget memories like that.”
However, due to health reasons she couldn’t continue as an operational member turning out to fires, so she continued contributing in different ways.
“I was an operational member for quite a few years before, due to health, I had to go to a non-operational role. I’ve just been doing a non-operational role since then.”
Ms Branson’s duties as a non-operational member were often behind the scenes work, though equally as important as those who fought fires.
“I’ve held a few positions in a brigade as well… like being the secretary and treasurer, communications officer, brigade in schools leader, fire safe kids,” she said.
“Just doing social events and that kind of thing.”
She also took on educational roles when she taught kids in schools about fire safety.
“Teaching the kids what to do in emergencies is a great feeling because you know that if you can’t be physically there to try and help them in an emergency, you’ve at least taught them information they’ll retain and be able to use that if emergency arises,” she said.
It’s a full circle moment for the two decorated brigade members, as Ms Branson actually looked to Mr Booker for guidance when she was starting out at the brigade.
“They were definitely the ones that we looked up to and learnt from,” she said.
