ACT Rural Fire Service - Inaugural Long Service Medal Award Ceremony

The inaugural ACT Rural Fire Service Long Service Medal award ceremony was held on Tuesday 25 June, 2013 at the National Arboretum.  Members received Long Service Medals for 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 years of service! Approximately 170 serving members of the ACT Rural Fire Service were awarded medals.

This was a very significant ceremony which aimed to formally recognize the significant long term dedication and commitment of the RFS members to the ACT community. Individual photos have now been added.   (Photos: Gary Hooker).

Val Jeffrey is the longest serving member of the ACT Rural Fire Service notching up a staggering 59 years of service!
Val was presented his well-deserved medal by the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Simon Corbell MLA  and the Chief Officer of the ACT Rural Fire Service, Andrew Stark.

Approx 300 Guests attend the ACT Rural Fire Service inaugural Long Service Medal award ceremony held at the National Arboretum on 25 June 2013.

Guises Creek Brigade - 10 year Long Service Medal recipients.

Gunghalin Brigade - 10 year Long Service Medal recipients.

Hall Brigade - 10 year Long Service Medal recipients.

Jerrabomberra Brigade - 10 year Long Service Medal recipients.

Molonglo Brigade - 10 year Long Service Medal recipients.

Parks Brigade - 10 year Long Service Medal recipients.

Rivers Brigade - 10 year Long Service Medal recipients.

Southern Brigade - 10 year Long Service Medal recipients.

Tidbinbilla Brigade - 10 year Long Service Medal recipients.

The Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Simon Corbell, MLA presents the Long Service Medal to Deputy Chief Officer ACT RFS, Michael Joyce, for his outstanding service to the ACT Community.

Chief Officer of the ACT Rural Fire Service, Andrew Stark (left), Deputy Chief Officer,  Michael Joyce (centre), and Minister, Simon Corbell (right).

Guises Creek Brigade members.

Southern Brigade members.

Val and Kevin Jeffery with their family. Well done Val and Kevin!

Jerrabomberra Brigade members.

Parks Brigade members.

Tidbinbilla Brigade members.

Matt Mikulandra – 20 years

Brett McNamara – 20 years

Dave Drady – 20 years

Dave Ingram – 20 years

John Cunningham – 20 years

Pat Barling – 20 years

Will Andrew – 20 years

George Jennings – 20 years

Simon Bretherton – 20 years

Jenny Ipkendanz – 20 years

Peter Ipkendanz -20 years

Steve Angus – 20 years

Steve Kuczerka – 20 years

Jeff Cutting – 20 years

Rick Hayes – 20 years

Kevin Jeffery – 20 years

Neil Cooper - 30 years

Doug Mitchell - 30 years

Andy Fulton - 30 years

Les Caldrmoski – 30 years

Arthur Sayer - 30 years

Brian Murphy - 30 years

Dennis Gray - 30 years

Cliff Stevens – 40 years

Doug Clark - 40 years

Val Jeffrey - 59 years

Val Jeffrey - 59 years

Des Clark - Service Award

ACT Fire & Rescue 100th Anniversary Torchlight March

ACT Fire and Rescue celebrated the 100th Anniversary of Canberra with a Torchlight parade held on Friday 14 June 2013. The march started at Griffith Oval and went along Captain Cook Cresent, then through Manuka Shops, culminating in a joint services BBQ at the Canberra Fire Museum, Forest. This was the original fire station for Canberra.

Past and present members of ACT Fire & Rescue led the march to the beat of the drum and sounds of the pipe bands. The parade included members from all other emergency services including ACT Ambulance, AFP, SES, ACT RFS, NSW Fire Brigades, and TAMS. The historic Bedford 112 heavy bushfire tanker was also fired up for this special occasion. (Photos: Gary Hooker).