By KATH GANNAWAY
THE CONTRIBUTION of long-serving members of Yellingbo Rural Fire Brigade was celebrated in October with seven members receiving CFA Life Membership Medals.
Between them Neville Sargeant, Bruce Logan, George Vassilopoulos, Gary Nixon, Paul Tripovich, Sue Williams and John Christie have given 266 years of service to their own community and to others.
Brigade secretary Jeremy Hardy said the brigade was proud to see so many of their members receive recognition for their long-standing commitment to volunteering with the CFA and to serving their community.
Former captain Bruce Logan is longest-serving CFA volunteer with 52 years accumulated serving as Captain and Lieutenant with Yellingbo brigade, and with Macclesfield as Lieutenant.
Current treasurer Neville Sargeant has been with the brigade for 44 years – holding office in that time as Captain, Lieutenant and secretary.
John Christie has been with the brigade for 40 years and has held office as an apparatus officer.
Gary Nixon and Sue Williams have each served for 35 years.
Mr Nixon as Lieutanant and Ms Williams as Lieutenant and communications officer. She was also one of the first women to apply to become a volunteer firefighter in Victoria.
George Vassilopoulos and Paul Tripovich have served for 25 years. Mr Vassilopoulos has held office as Captain, Lieutenant and apparatus officer and Mr Tripovich as Lieutenant.
“All of these members have supported many major campaign fires including 1983 Ash Wednesday, 1985 Bright Forest Fire, 1991 Mt Little Joe, 1997 Dandenong Ranges and 2009 Black Saturday to name a few,” Mr Hardy said.
The awards were presented at the brigade’s annual dinner and presentation night at Two Brooks Bar in Seville in October.
