Volunteer fire brigade salute members' service and dedication

Years of dedication by members of the Wellsford, Warkworth, Leigh, and Mahurangi East Volunteer Fire Brigades were recognised at Honours Nights held around the district at the end of last year.

Each of the stations honours nights was well attended by the community.

Meanwhile, rural fire brigades including Matakana, Puhoi, Ahuroa and Kawau Island now come under the governance of Auckland Council and their honours night is being planned for sometime in the first half of this year.
Auckland Council principal rural fire officer Bryan Cartelle says now that the rural stations are all part of Auckland, the rural fire team is looking at hosting one honours night for all the volunteer brigades to celebrate together.

“It is important that we recognise the hard work and huge contribution our volunteer rural fire brigades give to their communities,” he says.

“A special celebration that everyone can be involved in will be held soon.”

United Fire Brigades Association awards were presented as follows:

Wellsford

NZ Fire Service long service good conduct medal for 14 years service – Des Hansen; 2 Yr Gold Bar for Gold Star medal for 35 years service – John Cowpland.
2 Yr Silver Bar for 5yr medal for 21 years Service – Richard Connolly, Scott Marchant and Steven Greenwood; 2 Yr Silver Bar for 5yr medal for 19 years Service – Lisa Greenwood; 2yr Silver Bar for 5yr medal for 17 years Service – Shane Baker; 2yr Silver bar for 5yr medal for 11 years Service – Reg Phillips; 2 yr Silver Bar for 5yr medal for 9 years Service – Trent Jones; 2 yr Silver Bar for 5yr medal for 7 years Service – Matt Browne; 2 yr Silver Bar for 5yr medal for 7 years Service – Dave Galloway; 5 yr Medal – Paul Calkin; 3 yr Certificate – Kevin Derby and Bob Goodin. The following honours are awaiting gazetting by NZFS: 3rd Clasp for Long Service Good Conduct medal for 35 yrs Service  – John Cowpland; 2nd Clasp for Long Service Good Conduct medal for 28 years Service – Les Martin; 1st Clasp for Long Service Good Conduct medal for 21 years Service – Richard Connolly, Scott Marchant and Steven Greenwood.

Warkworth

5 Yr Medal – Adam Duffy, Scott McMahon; Gold Bars – Gavin Noyer for 29 years service, Allen Harvey for 35 years service, Peter Connell for 37 years service, Andy Tucker for 39 years service, Allan Mather for 39 years service, Murray Paterson for 41 years service, Gary Aitken for 45 years service, F Perkin for 47 years service; Silver Bars – Joel Mitchell for 7 years Service, T Hudson for 7 years service, Dan Goodwin for 9 years service, Jane Watt for 9 years service, Tony Sanford for 11 years service, Richard Wood for 13 years service, Bruce Stubbs for 13 years service, N Winterbottom for 15 years service.

Mahurangi East

2 Yr Silver Bars – Doug Wyatt for 21 years service, Les Middleton for 15 years service, Jason Connolly for 15 years service, Dave McGoram for 13 years service, Trent Morley for 13 years service, Emma Thomson for 11 years service, Bruce Fleming for 9 years service, Bob Waata for 9 years service, Nick Davidson for 9 years service and Mick Fay for 7 years service; 5 Yr Medal – Mike Gallagher and Matty Condin.

Leigh

Chief fire officer Steve Paddison received a 2 Yr Gold bar for Gold Star medal for 35 years service; Deputy chief fire officer Barry Davies received a 2 Yr Gold bar for Gold Star medal for 27 years service; Station officer Nick Torkington received a 2 Yr Silver bar for 13 years service; Operational support Carol Davies received a 2 Yr Silver bar for 9 years service; Senior fire fighter Tony Enderby, fire fighter Bob Boyes and operational support Dick Williams all received 5 Yr Service Medals, Dick Williams also received a 3 Yr Service Certificate and 2 Yr Service bar. Fire fighters Chris George and Errol Murray received a 3 Yr Certificate; Attendance Cup – Mark Borich; Most Improved Trophy – Martin Lefley.

Kaiwaka and Mangawhai Volunteer Fire Brigades were unable to supply any information.

Pictured: From left, Warkworth volunteer firemen  who received awards were Allen Harvey, Gavin Noyer, Adam Duffy and Deputy fire officer Shaun Pilgrim who was the MC at Warkworth’s Honours night.