NSW Rural Fire Service Assistant Commissioner Stuart Midgley – on behalf of Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons - presented 18 medals to volunteers from Koorawatha and Boara brigades, who together have accumulated 476 years of service.

Three firefighters were presented with their medals during a morning ceremony on Saturday at the Koorawatha Rural Fire Brigade station.

This was later followed by an afternoon presentation at the Young Rural Fire Brigade Station in Rockdale Road for 15 Boara Brigade members.

 “Each and every one of these volunteers is worthy of our most sincere thanks and I would like to personally commend them, not only for their commitment to the service but also to their community,” Assistant Commissioner Midgley said.

Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor, Young mayor Cr Stuart Freudenstein, RFS regional west manager Paul Smith, South West Slopes Zone manager Andrew Dillon, senior volunteers Keith and Gail Butt and Rick Price, brigade officers, service members and families were among those who attended the ceremonies.

Assistant Commissioner Midgley made particular mention of Leeanne Savva, who has given 21 years of service to the Koorawatha Brigade, during the Koorawatha service.

“Leanne has been heavily involved in communications within the brigade, has held the positions of secretary and permit officer and has also been heavily involved with the South West Slopes Zone cadets,” Assistant Commissioner Midgley said.

“It is an honour to present Leeanne with her Long Service Medal and first clasp and I sincerely thank her for the commitment and dedication she has shown to both the service and her local community.”

The remaining two volunteers from Koorawatha included Mark Savva and Adam Reilly.

The Boara Brigade has been active in the shire for 72 years and for 51 of those, firefighter Barry Braddon has been a part of it.

He is the brigade’s longest serving member and on Saturday, was presented with his long service medal for 51 years of service.

Other volunteers also receiving medals on the day were Milan Brankovic (10 years), Amanda Nicholson (12 years), Stephen Deasey (17 years), Leonie Reeves (18 years), Neil Howard (19 years), Anthony Sibley (21 years), Bruce Wilkinson (29 years), Andrew Braddon (30 years), Stephen Brill (31 years), Ian Thompson (31 years), Peter Bulliman (32 years), Peter Mullany (35 years), Reginald Johnson (40 years) and Geoff Edgerton (46 years).

“All of the volunteers here today have demonstrated an exceptional level of commitment to their community over the years and these medals are a proud acknowledgement of their efforts,” Assistant Commissioner Midgley said.

There are 50 brigades in the South West Slopes Zone who respond to a range of bush, grass and house fires, as well as motor vehicle accidents and other emergencies every year.