November 4, 2016
A very proud group of Queensland Fire and Emergency Services personnel from the South and North Burnett regions gathered in Murgon on Wednesday to be presented with medals.
The firefighters were presented with National Medals (for 15 years diligent service in emergency services) or Diligent & Ethical Service Medals (a QFES award recognising distinguished service over a prolonged period).
Clasps were also presented for every additional 10 years service.
Graham Wieden, a firefighter from Kingaroy Station, received a medal marking at least 30 years’ service, ie a 3rd Clasp to his Diligent and Ethical Service Medal.
Also enjoying a big round of applause was the Diligent and Ethical Service Medal presented to Erica Bell, who works in Administration at Kingaroy Command.
The medals were presented by Assistant Commissioner John Cawcutt, from QFES North Coast Region, and Assistant Commissioner (Human Capital Management) Andrew Short.
“This is not a little thing,” Asst Commissioner Cawcutt told the medal recipients.
“You have done a lot of work to get here. You have made a difference to lots of people’s lives.”
South Burnett mayor Keith Campbell agreed.
“You know how much you contribute to saving lives … you give many people a second chance at life.”
Another interested guest at the awards ceremony was retired Murgon Captain Peter Angel, who is now a member of the Tableland Rural Fire Brigade.
“That’s the sort of commitment you can’t buy,” Asst Commissioner Cawcutt said.
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Medal Recipients
National Medal
- Captain Bradley Ward – Mundubbera Fire Station
- Lieutenant Robert Geary – Gayndah Fire Station
1st Clasp
- Lieutenant Andrew Hopkins – Yarraman Fire Station
Diligent & Ethical Service Medal
- Lieutenant Brad Schiffke – Gayndah Fire Station
- Firefighter Brock Gray – Gayndah Fire Station
- Firefighter Brett Elsaesser – Gayndah Fire Station
- Firefighter Kyal Dennis – Murgon Fire Station
- Firefighter Stephen Copas – Wooroolin Fire Station
- Erica Bell – Kingaroy Command
1st Clasp
- Lieutenant Brett Holznagel – Murgon Fire Station
- Firefighter Shane Kratzmann – Kingaroy Fire Station
- Firefighter Stephen Copas – Wooroolin Fire Station
2nd Clasp
- Captain Ronald Mitchell – Gayndah Fire Station
3rd Clasp
- Firefighter Graham Wieden – Kingaroy Fire Station
