On Saturday, August 22, the long-standing dedication of Seymour volunteers David Stokes, Kevin Dwyer, Alan Walton, Bryan White and John Wilson was spotlighted as each of the firies received an award marking their half-century, or more, with the CFA.
Bryan White, who received his 50-year medal, has been volunteering at the Seymour brigade since he was 25.
It’s the sense of satisfaction and the feeling of mateship that has kept him at the local brigade for so long.
“You go out and you do it, and you get a bit of satisfaction out of it,” he said.
“You meet people, which is good, you meet a lot of people.”
He said it was nice to have his, and other members’, contributions recognised in this way.
“You don’t put yourself out there to get that, but the time goes by, it’s there, so you deserve it,” he said.
David Stokes, who joined the brigade in the late 1960s after being transferred to town through his work on the railways, said he also enjoyed the satisfaction of helping others.
“It’s been a fantastic organisation because you stay with a whole group of volunteers who are just there to look after their community,” he said.
“It’s just one way of helping the community, and it’s been fantastic over the years doing it.
“It hasn’t always been easy doing it, but the thanks and so forth you get from the people you help is very rewarding.”
At the awards night, Mr Stokes received his 55-year medal, and he said, while he’s a “backstage act now”, he saw himself supporting the community for years to come.
Alan Walton, too, received a 55-year medal.
He volunteered in brigades in Meringur (near Mildura) and Piangil (near Swan Hill) before joining the Seymour brigade in 1997.
Mr Walton said it was nice to receive the recognition.
“It’s a formal recognition of what you have put into the brigade, of what you have done and kept doing over the years,” he said.
“I still like to serve the brigade as much as I can.”
John Wilson received a 50-year medal, and was first an employee with the CFA before he joined the local brigade as a volunteer.
At 26, he began working with the organisation as a mechanic at its Wimble St workshop.
He was then successful in applying for a position as officer in charge, being the OIC for District 12 and half of District 14 before retiring after about three decades.
For the past 12 years, he’s been a volunteer.
“It was a good achievement, I wanted to get my 50 years,” he said.
Although he initially “ummed and ahhed” about joining up, Kevin Dwyer said, for himself and his twin brother, getting involved with the brigade was “the best thing we’ve ever done”.
Both within the brigade, and within the community surrounding it, he said there was a strong family feel.
“It’s a family. It’s not only within the fire brigade,” he said.
“When you go to a big disaster, you’re helping the poor people out, and you’re meeting a lot of people outside the fire brigade that you wouldn’t normally meet.”
After more than 50 years with the CFA, he said he’d “recommend anybody to join”.
Seymour Urban Fire Brigade captain Kylie Comte congratulated all who received an award on the night.
“Congratulations to everybody who received awards and a massive thank you for what our members do for our brigade and our community,” Ms Comte said.
She extended a special thanks to the five members who had been with the CFA for upwards of 50 years.
“It’s a massive contribution and it’s valued by the team and the community,” Ms Comte said.
“They’re a vital part of the brigade, whether they’re turning out or not, their experience is immensely valuable.”
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