Brigade honours its finest

Awarded for long service, from left, George Gibson (15 years), Craig Bates (10 years) and Wendy Thomson (35 years).

The Upper Beaconsfield Fire Brigade held its annual brigade dinner and awards night at the Cardinia Beaconhills Golf Club on Saturday 29 July.
The event was well attended by many new and old brigade members and auxiliary members, along with special guests and dignitaries including captains, lieutenants and representatives from several surrounding brigades.
Also attending were members of the Berwick and Pakenham opportunity shops, the Woorinyan CWA, brigade supporters and some local VIPs.
Awards were presented including: 35 year service awards and life membership for Wendy Thompson, Robbie Irving and Judy Irwin; 15 year service award for George Gibson; 10 year service award for Craig Bates; and 5 year service awards for Scott Huijbregsen and Bradley Waldrop-Brown.
Long time brigade contributors Pat Edwards (25 years), Jennifer Wood (25 years) and Sandy Bliss were also recognised and presented with awards for their outstanding service to the brigade auxiliary.
Representatives from the Pakenham and Berwick opportunity shops were both presented with certificates of appreciation by Captain Scott Huijbregsen and thanked for their generous ongoing financial support.
This year’s Captain’s Award was presented to Susi Sironic. The Fire Fighter of the Year Award went to Ian Pinney. Scott Huijbregsen was presented with the Officer of the Year award.
The newly-elected BMT team – comprising Captain Scott Huijbregsen, First Lieutenant Ian Pinney, Second Lieutenant Tony Middleditch, Third Lieutenant Andrew Lloyd, Fourth Lieutenant Emma Vulin, secretary Camilla Graves, communications officer John Middleditch and Adrian Kerr (fire and emergency preparedness) – was presented to the gathering for the first time together in their new role.
Master of ceremonies Joe Collins kept everyone entertained for a fun night.