By Jamie Salter
Nar Nar Goon CFA is celebrating 80 years of providing fire and rescue services to the community.
An anniversary celebration was held on Friday 1 April – April Fools Day – but the achievement was no joke.
Brigade captain Justin Seddon said it was a night to remember at the Pakenham Racecourse in Tynong.
“Everyone who attended was presented with a special coin to remember the 80 years of the brigade,“ Mr Seddon said.
“These coins will forever hold a special place in the history of the brigade.“
Special guests were in attendance including emergency management commissioner Andrew Crisp, CFA deputy chief officer Trevor Owen, CFA commander Phil Rogan, CFA commander Brett Meyers, CFA Cardinia group officer Andrew Wenzel and VICSES Pakenham unit controller Hassan Fahad.
Speeches were made by Mr Crisp, Mr Trevor Owen and Mr Seddon – each celebrating the achievement and congratulating the brigade.
Nar Nar Goon Fire Brigade members and families were also in attendance as well as representatives from Berwick, Pakenham and Nar Nar Goon op shops.
The brigade made special mention of the tragic loss of Fire Fighter Osborne ’Eddie’ Lowan who sadly died during Ash Wednesday Bushfires.
A number of CFA service awards were presented on the night including a National Medal awarded to Dorothy Williams.
Kevin Chisholm, Wes Ritchie and Justin Seddon received CFA Life Memberships.
A 35 Year Service Award was bestowed to Kevin Chisholm.
Wes Ritchie and Justin Seddon received 30 Year Service Awards, with Dorothy Williams and Paul Chaffey receiving a 20 Year Service Award.
Robert Burns and John Shanks earned themselves 10 Year Service Awards and 5 Year Service Awards went to Brad Dixon, Dwayne Crerar, Imagen Fry, Kim Fry, Liz Fry and Mark Ward.
Nar Nar Goon Fire Fighter of the Year in 2021 was 2021 Dwayne Crerar and this year’s award was given to Kim Fry.
Victorian Government 2019-2020 recognition of service – Fire Season went to Brad Dixon, Dwayne Crerar, Imagen Fry, John Shanks, Kylie Shanks, Kevin Chisholm, Kim Fry, Lyndon Reid, Rosemary Biddell.
