He has been a member of the Parkes Fire Brigade for almost 10 years and is moving to Queensland.

Fire Brigade Captain of Station 417, Craig Gibson has acknowledged Jason’s contribution to the community.

“Jason has been a member of the brigade since joining on June 1, 2005,” he said.

“He has been  a great asset to the brigade and community

“From  all the members who have worked with Jason over the past  almost 10 years, it has been a pleasure working along side him.

“He has been a true professional in his role as a fire fighter and representing FRNSW.

“He has been a good friend and will be missed by all.

“We wish Jason, Racheal,and their two boys, Riley and Jamieson all the best.” 

Jason has also made a big contribution to the community in other ways, particularly sport.

The Baxter family moved to Parkes from Sydney in 1983.

“Once we settled in Parkes I starting playing junior soccer that year at the age of nine,” he said.

Jason went on to   play at all levels of junior representative soccer  before taking up coaching  of junior rep teams.

He was also a prominent referee, later being honoured with Life Membership of the referee association.

Jason joined the local Rural Fire Service in 2002.

During the next three years, he worked his way through the ranks to Deputy Captain and Senior Deputy Captain.

“In 2005 I applied to join Fire and Rescue NSW and have been proud to have served the  Parkes community ever since.

He finished up on November 21, 2014.

“Racheal and I, and our two boys Riley (15)  and Jamieson (6) are relocating to Redland Bay in Queensland.

“I will take up the role of Queensland Training Manager with my company Centre For Excellence in Rail Training.

“They are a national rail training company.

“My office will be based in Ipswich.”