Posted by Martin Anderson CFA Member, Wednesday, 26 January 2011
CFA Chief Officer Euan Ferguson has congratulated four CFA members who have been awarded the Australian Fire Services Medal (AFSM).
Firefighter Adrian Hem (Diamond Creek); Group Officer Robert Ipsen (Goldfields Group Officer); Executive Manager Fleet Services Robert Rankin; and Executive Manager Operational Training and Volunteer Support Lex DeMan were awarded the AFSMs as part of Australia Day celebrations.
In his latest blog post the Chief also reflects on what Australia Day means to him.
"Those distinctive aussie characteristics of mateship, determination in adversity, helping your neighbour, and always looking for the positives – even when the chips are down, define our people and our country," he says.
"Of course there is one other defining characteristic of Australia, and that is the volunteering ethos. We are one of a handful of countries where many important functions are carried out by volunteers.
"Be it meals on wheels, firefighting, surf lifesaving, caring for the land or caring for vulnerable people, volunteering is a strong and essential part of the fabric of the Australian way of life. CFA epitomises what it is to be Australian."
source: CFA Connect media release
Australia Day reflections
Published by Euan Ferguson on CFA Connect
An Australia Day Reflection:
Happy Australia Day! Today is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate so much that is good. Whilst life is full of everyday challenges and disappointments we often take for granted what a great country we live in. We enjoy a standard of living and a culture that so many others across the globe can only dream of.
Those distinctive aussie characteristics of mateship, determination in adversity, helping your neighbour, and always looking for the positives – even when the chips are down, define our people and our country. Of course there is one other defining characteristic of Australia, and that is the volunteering ethos.
We are one of a handful of countries where many important functions are carried out by volunteers. Be it meals on wheels, firefighting, surf lifesaving, caring for the land or caring for vulnerable people, volunteering is a strong and essential part of the fabric of the Australian way of life. CFA epitomises what it is to be Australian.
- To read the rest of the blog click here: www.cfaconnect.net.au/blog
