More than 2,300 years of volunteer firefighting honoured in Junee

DOZENS of Rural Fire Service (RFS) volunteers have been recognised for their combined 2,300 years of service in Junee.

More than 60 medals were presented to local volunteers at the Junee Ex-Services Memorial Club on July 1, including six national medals, 57 long service medals, and one Commissioner’s Unit Citation for Service.

The ceremony highlighted the extraordinary spirit of service that runs deep in the region’s rural communities, with many families having served across multiple generations.

Photo: Facebook/Michael McCormack

Among the most notable recipients were 27 volunteers who have each clocked up more than half a century of service — including Michael Herbert of Eurongilly, who marked an extraordinary 66 years with the RFS.

William Heffernan and John Martin were also celebrated for 65 years of dedication each.

The full list of recipients spans multiple brigades including Junee, Illabo, Yathella, Wantiool, Wantabadgery, Old Junee, Harefield, Marinna, Eurongilly and more — each playing a vital role in the ongoing safety and resilience of the Junee District.

From new recruits with a decade of service to stalwarts who have given more than 50 years, each medal represented a story of courage, sacrifice and enduring community spirit.

Federal Member for Riverina Michael McCormack MP and Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke were among the dignitaries who paid tribute to the volunteers.

From left; RFS Deputy Commissioner Strategic Capability Peter McKechnie AFSM, Federal Member for Riverina Michael McCormack MP, Bill Heffernan, Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke MP, and Junee Mayor Bob Callow. | Photo: Facebook/Michael McCormack

“My heartfelt thanks to every volunteer, along with your families and communities, for your commitment and courage,” Ms Cooke said.

“You are the backbone of our emergency response, and our communities are safer because of your dedication.”

Mr McCormack later made a personal visit to Wallacetown to hand-deliver a medal to his brother-in-law, Gary Brill, for 44 years of service with the Yathella Brigade.

“These valiant RFS men and women give their time, courage and care to protect our communities,” McCormack said.

“The community celebrated their service, long-standing selflessness and the spirit of mateship that defines the RFS.”

Federal Member for Riverina Michael McCormack with brother-in-law Gary Brill | Photo: Facebook/Michael McCormack

Junee Shire Mayor Bob Callow, RFS Deputy Commissioner Strategic Capability Peter McKechnie AFSM, and RFS Zone Manager Roger Orr also attended the event, along with Inspectors John Baker and Scott Conlan, who were recognised for their distinguished work during the devastating Black Summer bushfires.

NATIONAL MEDAL RECIPIENTS

Stuart Dietrich – Junee
Award: 25 years diligent service, National Medal and 1st Clasp
Years of Service: 34 years

Paul Armour – Junee
Award: 35 years diligent service, National Medal and 1st & 2nd Clasps
Years of Service: 35 years

Anthony Clough AFSM – Wantabadgery
Award: 45 years diligent service, National Medal and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Clasps
Years of Service: 54 years

Graeme Price – Old Junee
Award: 55 years diligent service, National Medal and 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th Clasps
Years of Service: 57 years

John Dietrich – Junee
Award: 55 years diligent service, National Medal and 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th Clasps
Years of Service: 60 years

Maxwell Chamberlain – Yathella
Award: 55 years diligent service, National Medal and 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th Clasps
Years of Service: 62 years

LONG SERVICE MEDAL RECIPIENTS

10 Years Long Service

• Kim Hill OAM – Junee – 10 Years
• Simon Brownfield – Junee – 12 Years
• Dean Edson – Junee – 14 Years
• Donna Kennedy – Junee – 15 Years
• Peter Thompson – Junee – 17 Years
• Matthew Jarrick – Junee – 18 Years

20 Years Long Service

• David Schmarr – Junee – 21 Years
• Peter Reed – Junee – 23 Years

30 Years Long Service

• Christopher (Joe) Belling – Illabo – 30 Years
• Trevor Allen – Illabo – 31 Years
• Frederick Scupin – Old Junee – 31 Years
• Craig Brownfield – Junee – 32 Years
• Garth Porter – Junee – 33 Years
• Michael Edson – Junee – 34 Years
• Paul Rynehart – Junee – 34 Years
• Stephen Edson – Junee – 34 Years
• Stuart Dietrich – Junee – 34 Years
• Henry (John) Hopkins – Illabo – 35 Years
• Paul Armour – Junee – 35 Years

40 Years Long Service

• Barry Ryan – Illabo – 41 Years
• Phil Turner – Old Junee – 41 Years
• Damien Heffernan – Wantiool – 41 Years
• David Thompson – Illabo – 42 Years
• Brian Beasley – Wantiool – 43 Years
• Gary Brill – Yathella – 44 Years
• John Armstrong – Harefield – 44 Years
• Martin Honner – Marnina & Wantiool – 45 Years
• Trevor Allamby – Marnina – 45 Years
• David Lamont – Harefield – 47 Years
• Roger Turner – Old Junee – 48 Years

50 Years Long Service

• David Belling – Illabo – 51 Years
• Edwin Knight – Harefield – 52 Years
• Robert Kells – Wantabadgery – 52 Years
• Frank Chalker – Wantabadgery – 53 Years
• Michael Dyer – Yathella – 53 Years
• Anthony Clough AFSM – Wantabadgery – 54 Years
• Chris Moloney – Marinna – 55 Years
• Ian Harris – Old Junee – 55 Years
• Colin Randall – Harefield – 56 Years
• Brian Longmore – Old Junee – 56 Years
• David Howard – Wantabadgery – 57 Years
• Leon Butt – Wantiool – 57 Years
• Graeme Price – Old Junee – 57 Years
• Peter Commens – Eurongilly – 59 Years

60 Years Long Service

• Thomas Brabin – Eurongilly – 60 Years
• Gerard Heffernan – Wantiool – 60 Years
• John Dietrich – Junee – 60 Years
• Raymond Norman – Illabo – 62 Years
• Mike Hart (Posthumous) – Old Junee – 62 Years
• Adrian Eisenhauer – Marinna – 62 Years
• Robert Sheridan – Eurongilly – 64 Years
• John Stanyer – Illabo – 64 Years
• Brian Manwaring – Marinna – 64 Years
• Michael Heffernan – Wantiool – 64 Years
• John Martin – Eurongilly – 65 Years
• William Heffernan – Wantiool – 65 Years
• Michael Herbert – Eurongilly – 66 Years