Latest news with #AustralianFireServiceMedal
ABC News
09-06-2025
- General
- ABC News
King's Birthday honour for veteran Toodyay fire volunteer Ian MacGregor
More than three decades of dedicated service has seen a volunteer fire and rescue captain — who has responded to some of Western Australia's most traumatic road incidents — recognised with national honours. Toodyay Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service (VFRS) captain Ian MacGregor has been awarded an Australian Fire Service Medal for his contribution to the Wheatbelt region as a volunteer firefighter over the past three decades. Macca, as he is affectionately known locally, is the fourth member of the brigade in Toodyay, about 90 kilometres north-east of Perth, to receive the honour. Mr MacGregor got his first taste of fighting fires shortly after moving to Toodyay in 1980, battling a fire near the Avon River on Christmas Day. He officially joined the Toodyay VFRS in 1993 and has been the captain for more than two decades. "In those days you just got on the truck and put the fire out," he said. "I can help save one house or get someone out of a car and get them to hospital and help someone that's worse off than me." Under Mr MacGregor's leadership, the brigade has more than doubled in size and boasts one of the highest female-to-male ratios in the state. Mr MacGregor said looking after his team always came first, particularly during challenging and traumatic incidents. "I preach this to all our crews — we didn't put them there," he said. Mr MacGregor has been pivotal in improving the access to support services for witnesses to traumatic events. "We unfortunately had a fatal accident out on Goomalling Road a few years ago and I was sitting in the fire truck when I noticed some people on the side of the road reeling from what they had seen," he said. "I watched them and thought, 'What happens to them?' "We, as firefighters, have counselling and peer support but they have nothing." As a result, Mr MacGregor worked with the Volunteer Fire & Rescue Services Association of WA to ensure that adequate support resources were given to anyone involved in or witnessing a traumatic incident. Throughout his decades of volunteering, Mr MacGregor has often seen tragedy touch his local community, including his own family. Eighteen years ago, his eldest son Shane suffered a serious brain injury in a motorcycle accident. "For 18 days while Shane was on life support we were told by staff at Royal Perth Hospital to not get our hopes up and that he was going to die," Mr MacGregor said. After nine months of rehabilitation, Shane was released from hospital and brought back home to Toodyay where he has been embraced ever since. This month Shane celebrated 25 years of volunteer service with the Toodyay VFRS, working alongside his dad. "Shane is always the first to put his hand up to turn out to an incident and sets the example to others to never give up," he said. "He brings a lot of fun and humour to the brigade, as well as at the local tennis and hockey clubs where everyone loves him." Mr MacGregor's youngest son Darren has followed a similar path, working as a career firefighter in Perth. Mr MacGregor said countless mentors and mates over his decades of involvement in VFRS made him the firefighter he was today. "I've had a lot of good people come before me to get me to where I am."
West Australian
08-06-2025
- General
- West Australian
Eucla community servant receives award in King's Birthday Honours
Eucla's long-serving volunteer fire brigade captain is among those recognised in this year's King's Birthday Honours. Simone Conklin has been awarded an Australian Fire Service Medal for distinguished service as a member of an Australian fire service. The award citation said Mrs Conklin had been involved in emergency services since 1994 and been the captain of Eucla Volunteer Fire and Emergency Service since 2010. Located in one of the most remote areas of WA, on the border with South Australia, Eucla VFES covers 550km of the Eyre Highway, responding to a range of emergencies that include aircraft and road crashes, bushfires, hazardous material spills, and structural fires. Mrs Conklin has attended more than 98 per cent of incidents since 2014, with the isolation of the area meaning she often handled critical incidents with minimal support, frequently being the sole responder for hours until help arrives from distant brigades. 'She has shown outstanding leadership, decision-making and calmness under pressure in numerous emergency situations,' the citation said. 'One example (was) a truck fire at Border Village in 2021, which put the roadhouse at serious risk due to the proximity of the fire to the fuel bowsers, increasing the potential for explosion. 'Mrs Conklin's actions in isolating the area and ensuring that those present were kept at a safe distance, as well as leading her crew in extinguishing the blaze, saved the roadhouse and ensured everyone was unharmed.' The citation said she had also responded to serious road and aircraft crashes in both WA and South Australia which involved casualties with serious, life-threatening injuries who required airlifting. 'In addition to responding to incidents, Mrs Conklin was involved in securing funding for Eucla's airstrip upgrade, which plays a vital role for emergency services and the community,' the citation said. 'Mrs Conklin's dedication sees her constantly seeking ways to improve and increase public awareness. 'In 2023 she consulted with the Eucla community, Eucla police and the Department of Fire and Emergency Services on a suitable evacuation plan for the town. 'This has now led to discussions with the SA Country Fire Service for them to develop evacuation plans for Border Village as well.' Several people who served part of their careers or community service in the Goldfields-Esperance were also recognised in the King's Birthday Honours. Those who received a Medal of the Order of Australia included Esperance Museum co-founder and Esperance Bay Historical Society co-founder and life member Marjorie Barker, Kalgoorlie Golf Club life member and Inner Wheel Club member Lorraine Winchcomb, and Roy Dowsett, who served with the Kalgoorlie Scouts in 1962-64. Senior Aboriginal Police Liaison Officer Ian Tullock, who served at Kalgoorlie police station from 2018-22, received an Australian Police Medal for a career of nearly 50 years, as did Det-Sen. Sgt Gregory McDonald, who served in the Goldfields during a career that spanned more than 40 years. Anthony Dodd, who served as a volunteer firefighter in Kalgoorlie-Boulder and Kambalda during his career of more than 40 years, received an Australian Fire Service Medal.
West Australian
02-06-2025
- General
- West Australian
Capel's chief firefighter awarded Honorary Freeman title after half-century of service
A Capel stalwart has been awarded the most prestigious award on offer by the shire in recognition of more than half a century of dedicated community service. Chris Scott will retire from his role as the shire's chief bush fire control officer on June 1, a position he has held since 2000. To commemorate his service, he was awarded the title of Honorary Freeman of the Shire of Capel — an accolade reserved for individuals who have demonstrated 'exceptional meritorious service to the community over an extended period'. Mr Scott began his firefighting career at the age of 16 and was appointed as deputy chief bush fire control officer in 1990, before ascending to the top role a decade later. Throughout his tenure he has overseen training and resourcing, maintained brigade readiness and liaised with the shire on fire mitigation and suppression strategies. As chief, Mr Scott has been the incident controller for all major bushfires in the Shire of Capel and has also made himself available for deployment across the country. Shire president Doug Kitchen expressed deep gratitude and admiration for Mr Scott's contribution at his retirement ceremony, where he was bestowed with the award. 'Chris Scott has given a lifetime of service to the people of the Shire of Capel,' he said. 'His leadership, humility and dedication to duty in keeping our community safe are truly inspirational. 'The title of Honorary Freeman is a rare and special honour and it is most fitting we recognise Chris in this way.' It isn't the first time Mr Scott has been commended for his service. In 2024, he was awarded the Australian Fire Service Medal as part of the Australia Day honours list. The latest accolade, presented by another shire freeman in his brother Murray Scott, is yet another celebration of a career dedicated to helping others.
