Swan Hill Fire Brigade honours service medals

SWAN Hill’s firefighters were honoured for their commitment to the community at the annual dinner in August.

Volunteers were presented with awards recognising service from five to 35 years on August 17.

Two life memberships were also presented in front of the more than 70 brigade members who packed out the Anglican Hall.

Swan Hill CFA captain Dennis Turner said the awards were “well deserved”.

“It is our annual presentation night, Swan Hill has a large member base, and we always have a fair few members up for awards,” he said.

While capt Turner said someone was due for something every year, the most recent awards saw “two special ones” handed out.

“We gave out a Swan Hill Fire Brigade life membership to Lt Gerard Scholtens and a CFA life membership to firefighter David Proctor,” he said.

“Those two members who received the life membership awards are well and truly deserving of them, they have given many years of over and above service to the brigade and the community.”

The commitment of some of the brigade’s newer recruits was also recognised, with five-year service certificates presented to Stacey Bavage, Taylah Isma and Cameera Abraham-Oakley.

Capt Turner said the brigade was thriving with its membership, and continued to enjoy plenty of community support.

“Our membership base sits at about 100, with actual brigade members, juniors, fundraising and our ladies auxiliary, and 45 active firefighters,” he said.

With the fire danger period set to come in force on Monday, capt Turner said the brigade was well positioned to tackle a potentially busy season.

“We’re in a really strong position at the moment, we even have a waitlist for people who want to join at the moment,” he said.

Capt Turner added the brigade was able to enjoy the night without interruption, with no fires called in during the celebrations.

“It was a good night, no fire calls, which was a good thing, we’ve had it happen before and ruin our night,” he said.