Honouring Black Summer service

Sometimes we are asked to dig deep – to find strength and determination from places we didn’t know we had. The Black Summer fires back in 2019/20 were such a time. For many, it was a test of endurance. For some of our staff it was also a time to stand tall for community and Country.

Recently, the efforts of Gippsland fire personnel – including past and present GLaWAC staff – were formally recognised for their courage and commitment during the Black Summer fires.

At a ceremony in Bairnsdale, National Emergency Medals were awarded to Mick Farnham, Shay Terrick, Kobi Cook and Patrick Mullett, alongside their firefighting colleagues. In total, eleven First Nations people received medals, with fire crews from Moogji Aboriginal Council also represented among the recipients – a proud moment for our mob and community.

For Shay, the medal brought mixed emotions. Called up for what became a 90-day deployment, not long after completing firefighter training, he recalls:

“It was good to be able to help and be part of it, but so sad to see what was happening – homes burnt, people crying by the side of the road. It was hard. I am grateful to receive the medal, but we were just doing our jobs. I would do it again – 100%. It really highlighted for me how important the cooler burns are to help prevent the really bad wildfires.”

Mick Farnham was deployed earlier in the campaign and reflected:

“I was happy to be part of the Black Summer bushfires to help protect and save people’s homes, and I would do it again if we were back in the same situation.”

These medals honour not just service, but the courage and heart it takes to step forward in difficult times.