Terri Kowal at Bunbury Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade 2 #IVD2020
A number of the incredible members of the Bunbury Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade were honoured with service medals and other awards during a wonderful International Volunteer Day event on Saturday.
Don Punch at Bunbury Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade #IVD2020
The tone of the happy occasion was set by local Member for Bunbury, Don Punch MLA joking to the huge audience that he was proud to be representing the Hon Fran Logan MLA because the retiring Emergency Services Minister was busy preparing his caravan for a well-earned trek and continued with heart-felt but jovial speeches from Deputy Commissioner Craig Waters, Bushfire Volunteers President Dave Gossage and several of the amazing volunteers who received awards, including the ever-impressive Captain, Terri Kowal. Other dignitaries included Hon Adele Farina MLC, John Kowal, Captain Bunbury Volunteer Fire & Rescue Service, Matt Foreman, Liberal for Bunbury, Andy Wright, DFES Superintendent, and City of Bunbury Councillors Wendy Giles, Tresslyn Smith, Todd Brown, Michelle Steck, Karen Steele, Karen Turner, James Hayward, Betty McCleary, Cheryl Kozisek and Amanda Yip.
Craig Waters at Bunbury Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade 1 #IVD2020
Dave Gossage at Bunbury Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade 1 #IVD2020
The event was a fantastic reminder that Local Government Bush Fire Brigades do far more than protect our community when the poo hits the fan. The way the day was organised and delivered provided absolute confirmation that our Brigades are not only protectors of our community, but an essential part of the definition of that word – community.
Bunbury Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade #IVD2020
Bunbury Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade 1 #IVD2020
The award winners were:
BVBFB Medal Recipients
- Pat Kane – 5 years’ service award
- Jim Ponsonby – 30 years’ service award
- Blair Fisher – 10 years’ service award
- Terri Kowal – 20 & 25 years’ service award (& Nat Medal TBA).
- Craig Letica – 10 years’ service award
- Belinda Poole – 5 years’ service award
- Milan Kitto – 10 years’ service award
- Michelle Guerin – 5 years’ service award
- Amber Strachan – 5 years’ service award
- Nick Mellowship – 5 years’ service award
- Sophie Kop – 5 years’ service award
- Amir Nazemi – 5 years’ service award
- Dick Light – 20 years’ service award (Posthumous)
BVFRS Medal Recipients
- Tom Principe BVFRS – 5 years’ service award.
- Justin Walsh BVFRS – 5 years’ service award.
- John Kowal BVFRS – 35 years’ service award.
- Charlie Gardiner BVFRS – 45 years’ service award.
- Chris Wark BVFRS – 50 years’ service award.
