Tuesday, 22 May 2018

Four Gippsland CFA members have been honoured at the inaugural Spirit of CFA Awards, which was held in Ballarat on Sunday.

Recipients are listed below:
• SENIOR AWARD
Raymond Beaton, Hazelwood North Fire Brigade – Morwell Raymond joined CFA in 1982.
• EXCELLENCE IN INTERAGENCY OR GROUP COOPERATION (INDIVIDUAL)
Commended – Jeffrey Williams, Paynesville Fire Brigade – Gippsland East
• EXCELLENCE IN INTERAGENCY OR GROUP COOPERATION (TEAM)
Winner – Omeo Group – Gippsland East
• EXCELLENCE IN SUSTAINABILITY PLANNING (INDIVIDUAL)
Commended – Ian Brownrigg, Sarsfield Fire Brigade – Gippsland East

Parliamentary Secretary for Emergency Services Harriet Shing represented the Victorian Government at Sunday’s awards ceremony, presenting the Excellence in Community Engagement Award in the individual and team category.

Other categories included the Youth Award for CFA members aged 11-25, the Seniors Award for members aged above 60, and the Excellency in Interagency or Group Cooperation Award, which was presented by Emergency Management Commissioner Craig Lapsley.

The ceremony concluded with the Gold Award for Living the Values, which CFA Chairman Greg Smith presented to Susan Little from the Hamilton Fire Brigade.

The CFA has established the Spirit of CFA Awards as an annual event, to recognise excellence in volunteer and staff service across the firefighting organisation.

Nominations were sought from CFA members between February and April this year, with a list of finalists chosen for all categories.

The awards ceremony was partially funded by the government’s Valuing Volunteers Program, with BankVic also signing on as a supporting partner for the event’s first three years.

Quotes attributable to Parliamentary Secretary for Emergency Services and Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Harriet Shing:

“These recipients are a perfect example of the community spirit that underpins the CFA.”

“I thank all of the recipients and their fellow members of the Gippsland CFA brigades for their service and commitment to a safer Victoria.”

“The Spirit of CFA Awards are a wonderful way to recognise the selflessness and dedication that underpins the CFA’s contribution to public safety across Victoria.”

“It was a huge honour to represent the Victorian Government at today’s inaugural awards ceremony, and a privilege to meet so many dedicated volunteers and staff.”