By DANNY BUTTLER
THE bell tolled for four of Pakenham’s longest serving CFA members at a recent ceremony at the Pakenham fire station.
Norma Jackson, Ann Ramsdale, Jean Kelsey and Rob Golding were honoured with life membership for a combined 185 years of dedicated service to the brigade.
Norma, Ann and Jean have each served with the brigade for 55 years, while Rob has spent the last two decades at Pakenham as well as another 16 years with other brigades.
None of the long-serving members, however, could match the record of the old brigade bell, which was moved to the current station from its former home on the corner of James and John streets.
The bell first sounded the alarm for Pakenham fires in 1930 when it was installed at the old brigade headquarters.
The bell’s new home was certainly filled with old friends, with the long serving members presented with life membership medals and enjoying an afternoon tea in their honour.
Operations Officer Jim Dore and Second Lieutenant Wayne Nutting presented the life memberships to the quartet.
Other presentations on the day included Charlie Lansdown with a CFA Outstanding Service Medal and Graham Love with a National Medal. Both awards were presented by Assistant Chief Officer Trevor Owen.
Kylie Shanks was also presented with a 10 Year service medal.
The day was attended by other brigade life members and Member for McMillan Russell Broadbent.
The commemoration of the old bell was a timely reminder of the link between the past and present of the brigade.
The bell was placed on top of the hose tower when the station was built in John Street in 1981 and stayed there until recently when it was refurbished by Freeney Fabrications in Pakenham who also constructed the bell frame.
The commemorative rock at the front was donated by Tynong quarries and the garden bed and plants were finished off by brigade members.
Plaques with the names of all Brigade Life Members will be placed on the garden bed wall.
