Well done: Mid Murray Zone district manager superintendent Tony Whitehorn presents Gerard James with a Commissioner’s Certificate of Commendation for his efforts during the 2019-20 bushfires.
Seventeen volunteer brigade members from Mid Murray Zone, Murray River Council East brigades received national emergency medals for their service during the 2019-20 bushfires.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
The medals were presented by MMZ district manager superintendent Tony Whitehorn and Murray River Cr Dennis Gleeson on Sunday, April 10 at the Deniliquin fire control centre.
Medal recipients were: Christopher Wilson (Brassi Brigade); Gerard James and Doug Scott (Bunnaloo Brigade); Kevin Barnes and Alan Barnes (Caldwell Brigade); Philip Masters, Brett Cubit, Todd McCallum and Peter McKenzie (Moama Brigade); and Dale Bowles, Malcom Starritt, Russell Pearson and Stephen Hazell (Womboota Brigade).
The other medal recipients, not at the event, were: John Pocklington, Adam Scott, Thomas McKenzie and Peter McDonald.
Mr James also received the Commissioner’s Certificate of Commendation for diligent service to the NSW Regional Fire Services.
Mr James, who was captain of the Bunnaloo Briagde at the time, was deployed on five occasions — totalling 35 days in the field — as a rural liaison officer during the bushfires.
He supported operations across Glen Innes, Casino, Kempsey and Tumut.
“Captain James often worked in isolated locations with reduced communications and with limited or no support ... (he) also organised fodder and water for livestock, provided a shoulder to devastated landowners and organised for injured livestock to be treated or destroyed and buried,” the commendation said.
“He has demonstrated outstanding firefighter and agricultural knowledge, adaptability, capability and outstanding work ethic ... his actions ... were at all times above and beyond expectations and worthy of recognition.”
Mr James said all the medal recipients were pleased to have their efforts recognised and that he had been surprised and “chuffed” to receive the commendation.
“I still have no idea who nominated me — it’s nice to think your peers, who are also volunteers and many of them have a hell of a lot of experience, appreciate your work,” he said.
A few months after the fires Mr James, who had worked for many years as a fencing contractor and dairy and beef farmer, was offered a full-time job as an operations officer with the NSW RFS based at Deniliquin.
He and wife BJ still run a small herd at the 303-hectare Bunnaloo property.
Congratulations: Thirteen of the 17 Mid Murray Zone, Murray River Council East brigades’ members who received national emergency medals with MMZ district manager superintendent Tony Whitehorn (far left) and Murray River Cr Dennis Gleeson (third from right).
14°C