newy.com.au – Two Lower Hunter volunteers will be recognised for 60 years of service at an East Maitland ceremony tonight honouring 96 NSW Rural Fire Service members.
Gresford Brigade’s Neville Lawrence and Fingal Bay Brigade’s Alan Nunn are among eight volunteers being acknowledged for 50 or more years of service.
RFS Deputy Commissioner Ben Millington and Maitland MP Jenny Aitchison will present 20 National Medals and 76 Long Service Medals at the September 30 ceremony.
Mr Lawrence joined Gresford Brigade in 1965 and served as captain for 25 years until 2019. He has been brigade president since 2002, holding that position alongside his operational responsibilities for much of that time.
Mr Nunn also joined his brigade in 1965 and has served multiple terms as Fingal Bay captain. His other roles have included senior deputy captain and equipment officer.
Deputy Commissioner Millington said the district’s volunteers responded to emergencies affecting a broad range of communities and industries.
“RFS members from the Lower Hunter District serve in one of the most challenging areas in NSW, attending more than 2,000 incidents each year that threaten major transportation corridors, mine sites, tourism operations, wineries, urban interface and the natural environment,” he said.
Ms Aitchison acknowledged the volunteers’ work protecting Lower Hunter residents across different types of emergencies.
“Time and again these RFS volunteers have selflessly protected the people of the Lower Hunter from bush fires, storms and other emergencies,” she said.
