Sue Williams, Neville Sargeant, Paul Spinks, Cliff Williams, John Clark and Andrew George received their awards from CFA executive manager Lex de Man, far left, and district 13 operations manager Don Tomkins, far right.
By Mara Pattison-Sowden
NEVILLE Sargeant and Sue Williams have been recognised with one of the highest achievements for long service as volunteer fire fighters.
They were awarded alongside another five Yellingbo CFA volunteers presented with long service awards.
Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria state council representative Paul Denham awarded both of the Yellingbo CFA members with a Gold Star at Yellingbo’s annual dinner on Saturday 17 September.
Mr Denham spoke about their dedication to the service as local volunteers and wider representatives for the VFBV.
Mr Sargeant has had 42 years of service with Yellingbo brigade as an active firefighter, including 13 years as brigade captain.
He has held office as an apparatus officer, first, second and third lieutenant and is currently secretary for the brigade.
He has also been heavily involved with the Yarra Valley Group of brigades for 10 years and held the position of brigades’ representative to the VFBV for 20 years.
Ms Williams has been an active firefighter with Yellingbo for the past 33 years.
In that time she has held office as second, third, and fourth lieutenant and communications officer.
Ms Williams was also involved with Yarra Valley Group as group communications officer for 10 years and has represented the brigade at the regional VFBV meetings, reporting back to the brigade on any current issues.
Yellingbo CFA also celebrated almost 64 years of combined service by current captain Paul Spinks, and volunteers Cliff Williams, John Clark, Adam Gierlicz and Andrew George.
District 13 operations officer Don Tomkins and Eastern Metropolitan Region’s Lex de Man, who presented the awards, said 64 years was an amazing amount of time for the volunteers.
“We also need to acknowledge the wives, girlfriends and partners of these firefighters for the time that they are away from family and loved ones,” Mr Tomkins said.
Capt Spinks received a 20-year long service medal and has also served as third, second and first lieutenant in that time.
Mr Williams also received a 20-year long service medal.
He is an active firefighter and has held third, second and first lieutenant positions in the Yellingbo brigade.
Mr Clark has served for 10 years as a member of the brigade.
Mr Gierlicz received his five-year certificate. He is currently an active firefighter and has held the position of third lieutenant.
Mr George is currently second lieutenant and an active firefighter, who received his 3461 days certificate.
