April 25, 2013
Former Nanango firefighter Col Kowitz retired three years ago but he hasn’t been forgotten by his colleagues.
Col was yesterday presented with a National Service Medal and a Diligent and Ethical Service Medal to mark his 35 years with the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service.
And what is he doing these days?
“I’m catching up on my fishing,” he said.
Col was one on 13 local firefighters presented with medals during a ceremony held at the Kingaroy Fire Station.
The medals were presented by Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington, who was representing Community Safety Minister Jack Dempsey.
Mrs Frecklington said it was “fantastic” that there were so many award recipients from the South Burnett Region.
She thanked them for their service and their courage.
“You have my heartfelt thanks and gratitude for everything you do for the community,” she said.
Assistant Commissioner John Watson thanked the firefighters for their service during the recent natural disasters, and noted how much things had changed over the past 10 years.
The QFRS had taken on road accident rescue work, he said, and Kingaroy was one of the first auxiliary stations to take on vertical rescues, and now swift water rescues.
He said the medals did not just mark time served.
“These medals are earned. They something that we believe you deserve,” he said.
Firefighters become eligible for the National Medal after 15 years’ service; a clasp can be added for each additional 10 years.
The QFRS Diligent and Ethical Service Medal is awarded on nomination after a minimum 10 years’ service; a clasp can be awarded after another 10 years’ service.
Award recipients:
Fire and Rescue Station National Medal
- Stephen Copas (Wooroolin station) – 17 years
- Russell Evans (Murgon) – 17 years
- Daniel Hurt (Kingaroy) – 17 years
- Shane Kratzmann (Kingaroy)
- John Hewitt (Blackbutt) – 16 years
- Brett Holznagel (Murgon) – 17 years
Fire and Rescue Station National Medal 1st Clasp
- Norman Barritt (Kumbia) – 27 years
- Brett Greer (Murgon) – 25 years
- Colin Jenkins (Kingaroy) – 26 years
Fire and Rescue Station National Medal 2nd Clasp
- Colin Kowitz (Retired) (Nanango) – 35 years
- Richard Perrett (Nanango) – 36 years
- James Dennis (Murgon) – 36 years
Second clasps to the Diligent and Ethical Service Medal (DESM) were also handed out.
The DESM was instituted by the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service Commissioner to recognise QFRS members who have distinguished themselves over a prolonged period of time, through commitment to ethical standards, diligence and integrity.
Recipients are entitled to the medal after 10 years of service and a clasp is awarded to the medal recipient after the completion of each additional 10 years of service.
Receiving the 2nd Clasp to the DESM at the Kingaroy ceremony was:
- Mark Long, Area Commander, Kingaroy Area Office – 32 years
- Colin Kowitz (Retired) (Nanango) – 35 years
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