Wednesday, 13 November 2024

 Ella GEORGE (Lara) (10:23): On Saturday I was honoured to attend the annual Lara fire station dinner. The Lara fire brigade has been keeping the Lara community safe for decades. Their volunteer members work tirelessly, and this dinner was a great way to celebrate the work of the whole team and to honour some very dedicated members with special awards. Congratulations to Nik Milanovic, Jerome Perrot and Joy Thorup-Anderson, who received their five-year certificate; Aaron Bedson, who received a 10-year service medal; Leigh Barclay, Rob Brandwood, Doug Wilson and Captain Roger Buckle, who all received their 30-year service medal; Graeme Toll, who received the 35-year service medal; Rosemary and Gary Bascomb and Libby Bate, who received the 50-year life member medal; and Ian Board, who received the 55-year life member medal. We heard some remarkable figures: Captain Roger Buckle has responded to 3652 incidents as a firefighter; Leigh Barclay has responded to 645 incidents; Graeme Toll has responded to 1003 incidents; and in just five years of service, Joy Thorup-Anderson has responded to 100 incidents and Nik Milanovic has responded to 113.

Ahead of this year’s fire season, 40 members of the Lara fire brigade have completed their summer preparedness training, and I know that if we do have a bushfire or a grassfire in the coming months, we will have a dedicated and well-trained team ready to respond. I thank these members and the entire brigade for their bravery and unwavering commitment that exemplifies the very best of community spirit.