In a historic moment for the Coobang Rural Fire Brigade, 29 of its volunteer firefighters have received long service medals during a special presentation.
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The longest serving member to be recognised was 88-year-old John “Alan” Somers, who has dedicated more than six decades of service.
The firefighters’ service came to a combined total of 954 years.
The total had the Rural Fire Service’s assistant commissioner Jason Heffernan – who was present at the presentation on October 18 on a property in Job Lane – praising the members.
“It’s fantastic to see the number of medals and event more fantastic to see the number of bars,” he said.
“[Particular mention] is Alan Somers who has given 64 years, you join a very rare band.
“The RFS is made up of rural people...rural people are the heart and soul of the RFS so it’s absolutely appropriate we hold the ceremony on a farm.
“It’s tough, it’s dry, there are a lot of farmers struggling out there. We are in for a dry, hot summer.”
Deputy mayor Barbara Newton also attended the presentation on behalf of Parkes Shire Council and thanked the firefighters for their dedication, commitment and bravery.
“You are the front line to dangerous situations and that are extremely dangerous to yourselves,” she said.
“Thank you very much.”
Captain Stuart Elliott said it’s the first time the brigade of 60 members has had a long service medal ceremony.
“To have so many, it’s good...and there’s a good cross section of members,” he said.
“It’s a good brigade, we’ve had some fun times.”
Among the most memorable and biggest events for the Coobang Brigade were the Alectown fire in 2004, Goobang National Park, Orange Road fire and more recently the Cookamidgera fire.
“We’ve been lucky as a brigade, we haven’t had any major fires, it’s been pretty good here.
Alan was presented his long service medal and first, second, third, fourth and fifth clasps – he joined the Coobang Brigade in 1953, where he held the position of captain about 1960 to the 1970s and president from 1967 to 1997.
When Alan arose to collect his medal, he wanted to tell those present a quirky, historic fact about the brigade.
“Gary [Somers] (Alan’s son) is president and Richard Green is secretary-treasurer. Well when I was president, Richard’s uncle Urnie Green was the secretary-treasurer,” he said.
“So history is repeating itself.”
85-year-old Leon Laidley was recognised for 55 years of service, receiving his first, second, third and fourth clasps – he joined Leppington Rural Bridgade in 1962 and joined Coobang in 1983.
Neil Unger was recognised for 54 years of service, receiving his first, second, third and fourth clasps – he joined the RFS in 1962.
Alan Forbes was recognised for 47 years of service, receiving his first, second and third clasps – he joined the the Coobang brigade in 1970, holding the position of captain from 1999 until 2001. He also joined the Coradgery Brigade in 1972 and has been the brigade’s vice president since 2011.
Roger Hood was recognised for 45 years of service, receiving his first, second and third clasps – he joined East Parkes and Coobang in 1972. He was president for East Parkes from 1990 to 2008 and Coobang’s vice president from 2006 to the present day.
Graham Tolhurst was recognised for 42 years of service, receiving his first, second and third clasps – he joined the RFS in 1975.
Rodney Jelbart was recognised for 42 years of service, receiving his first, second and third clasps – he joined the Alectown Brigade in 1975 and Coobang in 1998. He is currently the president of the Alectown Brigade.
Jack Tanks was recognised for 39 years of service, receiving his first and second clasps – he joined the RFS in 1978.
Gary Somers was recognised for 39 years of service, receiving his first and second clasps – he joined the Coobang Bridgade in 1978 and has been brigade president since 1998.
Sandra Wilkinson was recognised for 37 years of service, receiving her first and second clasps.
Ian Simpson was recognised for 37 years of service, receiving his first and second clasps – he joined the Coobang Brigade in 1980.
Stuart Elliott was recognised for 35 years of service, receiving his first and second clasps – he joined RFS in 1982 and has been Coobang Brigade’s captain since 2016.
Peter Barber was recognised for 34 years of service, receiving his first and second clasps – he joined the Coobang Brigade in 1982.
Graham Wilkinson was recognised for 33 years of service, receiving his first and second clasps – he joined the RFS in 1984.
Richard Green was recognised for 33 years of service, receiving his first and second clasps – he joined the Coobang Brigade in 1984 and has the treasurer and secretary since 1998.
Ross Armstrong was recognised for 33 years of service, receiving his first and second clasps – he joined the RFS in 1984 and was captain of the Coobang Brigade from 2001 until 2003.
Scott Macaulay was recognised for 29 years of service, receiving his first clasp – he joined the Coobang Brigade in 1988.
Neil Macaulay was recognised for 29 years of service, receiving his first clasp – he joined the RFS in 1988.
Andrew Hood was recognised for 28 years of service, receiving his first clasp – he joined the East Parkes Brigade in 1989 and Coobang in 1994. He was also captain of Coobang from 2009 to 2016.
Tony Miller was recognised for 26 years of service, receiving his first clasp – he joined the Coobang Brigade in 1991 and was captain from 2003 to 2004.
Jeffrey Hall was recognised for 25 years of service, receiving his first clasp – he joined the RFS in 1992.
Leslie Watts was recognised for 23 years of service, receiving his first clasp – he joined the Coobang Brigade in 1994 and the Parkes Headquarters Brigade from 1998 to 2006.
Brett Preisig was recognised for 22 years of service, receiving his first clasp – he joined the Talbingo Brigade in 1994 and Coobang in 1996.
Kenneth Reeves was recognised for 21 years of service – he joined the RFS in 1996.
Alex Wilkinson was recognised for 18 years of service – he joined the RFS in 1998.
Peter Dearden was recognised for 18 years of service – he joined the RFS in 1999.
Terry Littler was recognised for 16 years of service – he joined the RFS in 2001.
John Unger was recognised for 15 years of service – he joined the Coobang Brigade in 2002 and held the position of captain from 2004 to 2009.
Tim Hansford was recognised for 15 years of service – he joined the RFS in 2002.
