By Kath Gannaway
The sudden death of Gruyere CFA stalwart Don Bigham last week came as a heart-breaking news across the Yarra Valley.
Don, a second generation, ex-captain of the brigade suffered a heart attack on Monday, 9 January, a shock to his family, to the Gruyere community and to the wider CFA and emergency services community.
The impact among those who worked with him, many of whom rated him also as a friend, has been enormous.
Gruyere Brigade’s tribute “A man who just made the world a better place by being here,” summed up the messages of condolence and shock that have poured in through social media from brigades, emergency service members, community members and politicians.
Gruyere Captain Matt Sartori said every Gruyere member was in a better place for having known Don and shared his experience.
“Everyone is very proud of the effort he put in,” he said.
“He never backed off; always determined to succeed, he left his legacy behind for everyone to look up to.
“For anybody to be able to put in 55 years of active service and to be still going strong to the day he died is an achievement second to none.”
David Renkin, CFA District 13 Operations manager, said the fact that Don was a friend to so many in the CFA community underpinned the huge loss being felt across all the brigades.
“Regardless of his input in the CFA, he was just a really good friend.
“The amount of time, effort and dedication he and the family put into CFA can never be repaid,” Mr Renkin said.
Don was a second generation firefighter whose father, mother and brothers were Gruyere brigade members, and his wife Pat and daughter Andrea are active brigade members.
Mr Renkin said the loss of knowledge and skill was huge.
“He was second to none in his knowledge of the Warramates and the Gruyere Valley, and everything else.
“Every minute of the day from the time he joined to the day he passed away, he was a fully operational member providing support in everything from recruit courses, to the fire front, and as a member of the local community.
During his time with CFA, Don served as Captain and 1st Lieutenant with Gruyere, Group Officer of Killara, Group 2nd and 4th DGO of Yarra Valley Group and received the National Medal and National Emergency Medal for his duties during the Black Saturday Fires.
“If you asked for help, for farmers after fires, or after the drought, Don and Pat were always the first to put their hands up,” Mr Renkin said.
“He was a father figure to many individuals, always there for a cuppa and a talk … bigger than life. He had a quite extraordinary, full and fantastic life.
“I don’t know how you replace someone life that.”
Casey MP, Tony Smith, paid tribute saying the Yarra Valley had lost a giant with Don’s death.
“He was a straight talker, devoted husband and father and was deeply respected by all who knew him,” he said acknowledging his leadership and outstanding contribution to the CFA.
As the Mail went about the usual ‘news’ business last week, it was remarkable for the number of people from local police to brigade members and community members who spoke with sadness of Don’s sudden death, and expressed their personal shock and sense of loss.
The Mail team extends our condolences also to Don’s family and his CFA, Police and Emergency Services colleagues and shares the sadness felt by so many.
A celebration of Don’s life will be held at Heritage Pioneers Chapel in Woori Yallock at 11am on Thursday, 19 January. Additional parking will be available at the football ground.
