By Aneeka Simonis
HE’S a community champion – and now, a national hero.
Duncan Holman, 92, of Bunyip, has been awarded a 75 years’ service medal with the CFA – the first of its kind in Australia.
The medal had to be specially made for the fire-fighting stalwart who has been out battling fires since the CFA was formed in 1938.
A highlight for Duncan was seeing his son Peter Holman awarded with another milestone medal, 45 years’ service at the same special awards ceremony in Warragul earlier this month.
Duncan was Captain at Longwarry Fire Brigade for 36 years and has kept his ongoing commitment to the emergency service unit ever since.
He will go down in CFA history as the longest serving member, a feat unlikely to ever be topped.
But it’s not the first time the firefighting service have honoured Duncan with a CFA first award.
They also had to design and mint a special medal to honour Duncan’s 70th year of service.
Like with his 75-year milestone, no such medal has ever been handed out to a member for 70 years’ service in the history of CFA firefighting.
Duncan’s late wife Betty was also a long serving member of the CFA, recognised in 2011 for 30 years as president of the Brigade Auxiliary and brigade communications officer.
The pair met at Longwarry Fire Brigade in 1984 and married later that year.
In addition to the 75 years’ service medal, Duncan was also awarded an Outstanding Service medal at the award presentation.
