Long-serving Winton volunteer fire fighters Dave Burgess and Steve McDowall received special recognition at the recent Winton Volunteer Fire Brigade honours night.

Mr Burgess, who has now retired from the brigade, received a thank you gift and awarded a life membership medal for his 16-and-a-half years’ service, while Mr McDowall received a Queen’s Service Medal for 14 years’ service.

Winton chief fire officer Stephen Milne said the fire brigade had given significant contributions to the community in the last year, including triaging nine patients at a serious road accident, pumping water from flooded land during the February floods and attending call outs during the Covid-19 pandemic lock down. 

“The average length of service of a volunteer fire fighter is just 10.7 years so well done Steve for surpassing that,’’ he said.

Mr Milne said fire brigade members were a bit like family and had stuck together for many years. 

“They are doing their bit for the community. We have a good bunch here,’’ he said.

Several members had served for more than 20 years, so serving 14 years was normal, he said.

Southern Area Manager Julian Tohiariki congratulates Steve McDowall for 14 years' service to Winton Fire Brigade. Watching is Melissa McDowall, centre. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

The Winton fire brigade has about 30 volunteers and was “doing okay’’ for numbers despite struggling at times to fill a second truck if required during the day, as that was when most people were at work, Mr Milne said.

However, the brigade would be interested in recruiting anyone who worked in the town, he said.

Mr Milne also thanked fire fighters’ families. “The work we do cannot be done without the support from our families,’’ he said.

Assisting Mr Milne in making presentations at the July 11 ceremony were Russell Hardman, the president of the Western Southland Sub-Association and Thornbury Fire Brigade senior fire fighter; and Southland Area Manager Julian Tohiariki.

Some of the firefighters honoured at the Winton Volunteer Fire Brigade ceremony on July 11. PHOTO: Supplied

Other award recipients were: Chris Jamieson- 3 Year Certificate; Stu Hill- 5-year Medal; Matt Van Hout- 5 Year Medal; Charlette Van Hout – 5 Year Medal; Graham Moss - 2 Year Service Bar - 9 years; Ernie Pringle - 2 Year Service Bar - 11 years; Guy Johnstone- 2 Year Service Bar - 21 Years; Stephen Milne- 2 Year Service Bar - 23 Years; David Laverty - 2 Year Gold Bar - 29 Years; Graham Beggs- 2 Year Gold Bar - 33 years.