Seven CFA members have been recognised for their outstanding service to the community, when the 2019 Queen’s Birthday Honours List was announced today.
Receiving Order of Australia Medals for service to their communities, their service extends beyond CFA into areas of local government, sport, education and more.
The CFA members who received Order of Australia Medals are:
- John McKenzie Fleming, Inverloch, received the OAM for service to the community of Wonthaggi, including the Glen Alvie Fire Brigade (since 1996) and Wonthaggi Fire Brigade (from 1961) where he is also a life member.
- Robert Henry Flynn, Grovedale, for service to the community through a range of organisations including the Fire Services Museum Victoria, where he has been a volunteer since 2006 and served on the committee from 2010-2014, and Belmont Fire Brigade, where he has been a volunteer firefighter since 2005 and member since 1987.
- Mervyn Arthur Hampson, Mortlake, for service to veterans and their families through the Returned and Services League of Australia and Naval Association of Australia. A Life Member of Mortlake Fire brigade, where he joined in 1979, he has received CFA’s 35-Year Service Award and National Medal.
- John Anthony Munckton, Glenaroua, for service to the community of Seymour, including as a member of Glenaroua Fire Brigade, where he has volunteered since 1970, served as president from 1980-1996 and became a Life Member in 2010.
- Jill Parker, for service to local government, and to the community of South West Victoria, including as Moyne Shire Councillor and current member of Mortlake Fire Brigade as Treasurer and Communications Officer. A former Fire Safe Kids Officer and Community Bushfire Safety Liaison Officer, she has also received the National Medal (with 40 year clasp) and National Emergency Medal.
- Leslie Rupert Sumner, Cobden, for service to the community of Cobden, including through Jancourt Fire Brigade (since 1960) and Cobden Fire Brigades Group ( since 2013).
- Leolyn Clem Watkins, for service to the community of Ararat, including as a member of Warrak Brigade since 1961, with Life Membership awarded in 1992.
CFA Chief Officer and Chief Executive Officer Steve Warrington congratulated the recipients on their outstanding achievements.
“CFA is incredibly proud of its members, and it is wonderful to see some of our longest-serving members recognised with the highest orders in the country,” he said.
He thanked the recipients for their contribution in making Victoria stronger and safer.
“Today’s recipients demonstrate how CFA members not only devote a large part of their lives to the protection of lives and property in their communities, but across a range of their community services including education, sports and local government,” he said.
