By Renee Wood
Dixons Creek Rural Fire Brigade has presented several members with service certificates, medals and even announced a Brigade Life Member at a recent presentation dinner.
Treasurer Peter Petherbridge becoming a Brigade Life Member was the highlight of the night, with Mr Petherbridge saying it was surprise.
“I feel very honoured to receive it. It’s a big award, we don’t have many people who’ve been given it and I feel very honoured to be amongst those who have,” he said.
During Mr Petherbridge’s time with the brigade, he said he has responded to many incidents but the Black Saturday 2009 fires stand out as a time where hardship amassed but generosity shone through every corner.
“The members of this brigade were actively fighting that fire for over three weeks and it took an enormous strain on the brigade, but we were enormously supported by the local community and by neighbouring brigades,” Mr Petherbridge said.
Team work is what helps you get through the good times and the bad, and being part of a great team has always been something that has driven him to continue as a volunteer.
“You learn very quickly when you join a brigade that you’re joining a family, there’s an enormous camaraderie between the members.”
The team, comradery and support are also what has helped Lieutenant Dean Putting click over 40 years with the CFA, receiving his 40 year life medal at the presentation night.
Lt Putting said he’s seen a lot change across technology, management and resources which has aided brigades and changed call outs.
“This is my fourth brigade I’ve been involved in, the first brigade we just had a tin shed it had a dirt floor. We didn’t have overalls and protective clothing or anything we would just turn out in our work clothes,” he said.
“The airbags and the safety aspects of vehicles have really made a difference… Same thing with house fires, we used to have a lot of house fires with loss of life, and that was pre smoke alarms.”
With that amount of time under your belt it’s easy to also see how Lt Putting has been a mentor and role model to many other members.
Being a previous captain at Panton Hill from 1991 to 1999 before joining Dixon’s Creek.
Lt Putting was humbled when talking about how others have acknowledged and thanked him for his support over his time.
“I’ve had different people come up to me at different times and acknowledge that and that’s really good and it’s also surprising sometimes that you think, well, I didn’t realise… It has made a difference to me. I think that mentoring role is pretty important.”
Firefighter Michael Cross being one of the newest recruits, received his five year certificate and said it was the 2009 bushfires that really drew him to joining the CFA.
“These guys were working 24 hours a day and saving people’s houses and doing all sorts of crazy stuff and I think everyone in the community, and probably the state, just realised what effort they’d done to save lives to save property,” Mr Cross said.
“It just made me think it’s something you should be a part of and be able to contribute to because it’s pretty important.”
Mr Cross said the benefits he’s embraced have been learning new skills, taking on leadership and becoming a stronger link to the community chain.
“it’s a great way to plug into your community and become part of that area..”
Captain Wayne Morrow was another honouree with a 25 year medal and agreed being part of the community is a great benefit and having the support of your brigade.
“It’s really important to have these sorts of people around, the likes of Peter has been brilliant. We’re fortunate here with four ex captains here,” Cpt Morrow said.
The brigade would like to invite local residents to consider volunteering with the CFA, bringing with it many opportunities that you wouldn’t get other wise.
“We need younger members, which is really hard to get in this area because we tend to get a lot of holiday properties here now, we’ve got vineyards… But I think we’re a good little community brigade and we’ve got a good thing going here but we need more members,” Cpt Morrow said.
