Just days before he passed away on June 24 last year, Yarrawonga resident Peter Owens learnt he had been successfully nominated for an Order of Australia Medal (OAM), for service to the community through emergency response organisations.
As a resident of Terrey Hills, Sydney, Mr Owens, 78, spent 43 years with the Coal and Candle Rural Fire Brigade and was posthumously awarded the national award in Sydney on May 29.
Upon being advised his nomination was successful, Peter just smiled, according to his wife of 52 years, Colleen.
“I’m that happy for him, but he’d be embarrassed,” Colleen said.
“Peter didn’t serve in the fire brigade for awards; he just saw it as his duty.
“He started as fire fighter, became senior deputy, captain, deputy group officer and group officer.”
In January 1994, Peter was Captain of Coal and Candle RFB during one of the worst NSW fire seasons.
One of his activities included leading a crew assigned the task of defending the marina at Akuna Bay containing more than 3,000 litres of fuel when it was directly threatened by advancing fire.
A mechanic by trade but a bus driver of 33 years, Peter held positions on various committees such as the Warringah Pittwater Council Advisory Committee, Rural Fire Service Association (RFSA), Volunteer Welfare Fund, District Constitution Review Committee, Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Committee, and the District Disciplinary Committee.
In 2015, Peter moved to Yarrawonga and joined Mulwala-Tarramia RFB where his commitment to the RFS and also to Coal and Candle RFB continued.
His wife and two sons are understandably proud of Peter and his latest recognition.