A National Medal presentation was held at Donald CFA Fire Station on Saturday, March 15, with nine members within Buloke West Group receiving the significant honour in front of a large gathering of family and friends.
Master of ceremonies for the occasion was Assistant Chief Fire officer of CFA District 18, Gavin Wright, ably assisted by Brigade Support Officer, Tanya Decker, and awards were presented by Deputy Chief Officer of the North West Region, Bill Johnstone.
Gavin Wright welcomed distinguished guests, CFA members and the family and friends of the award recipients, and began with a truck handover to Watchem, Cope Cope and Litchfield Brigades, all receiving upgraded vehicles on the day. Cope Cope, with one of the oldest trucks in District 18 received a 1999 3.2D Hino Tanker; Litchfield received a 2001 3.4D Isuzu Tanker 4×4; and Watchem Brigade was lucky enough to gain a brand new 2024 10.2S Ultra Heavy 10,000L tanker.
National Medals
Following the truck hand-over, the National Medals were awarded. The National Medal recognises those who put themselves at risk in the service of the community. To qualify a person must have served an eligible organisation for at least 15 years in the primary function, and the Chief Officer of the organisation must assess their service as “diligent”.
Bill Johnston presented the awards, mentioning the difference compared to service awards, which are handed out by an individual’s brigade. The National Medal is an Australian honour recognising long and diligent service to recognised government and voluntary organisations. It is awarded to those who risk their lives or safety to protect or assist the community in enforcement of the law, or in times of emergency, or natural disaster. This includes service organisations such as ambulance, correctional, emergency, fire and police forces, and voluntary organisations such as lifesaving or search and rescue groups.
In CFA’s Buloke West Group nine members were awarded this honour as follows: Group Officer David Manifold (Jeffcott), Darren Hogan (Birchip – an apology on the day), Brad Burke (Jeffcott), Michael McLoughlan (Warmur), Graeme Milne (Watchem), Richard Reilly (Corack), Adam Campbell (Corack), Robert Adams (Laen East), and Kelvin Hepworth (Litchfield).
Commendation for courage
Bill Johnstone had another award to present, this time noting how rare this particular honour was to receive; in his many years with CFA, he had not presented one before, nor did he expect to present another within his lifetime.
The Chief Officer’s Commendation for Courage recognises acts of courage under hazardous circumstances – for service carried out under conditions that demand considerable self-discipline without thought of personal recognition; and/or for an act of bravery at a specific incident in dangerous circumstances where the act is conspicuous and worthy of special recognition.
The specific incident was described in the citation read by Gavin Wright:
“On December 19, 2023, on the Wycheproof-St Arnaud Road at Jeffcott, a semi-trailer carrying grain left the road and collided into roadside trees.
“Captain of Jeffcott Fire Brigade, Bradley Burke, was the sole witness to the collision and he immediately stopped his vehicle, telephoned for assistance and ran towards the badly damaged truck to assist the driver. As a result of the collision the cabin of the truck caught fire and the load of grain surged forward and engulfed the inside of the cabin.
“The truck doors were unable to open as a result of the damage sustained. Working alone, and without regard for his own safety, Captain Burke climbed on to the truck’s bonnet and using his hands, removed the windscreen and located the driver amongst the spilled grain, between the driver and passenger seats.
“Captain Burke removed the injured driver by taking him out through the damaged windscreen, where he sustained numerous cuts to his arms and torso, and then lowered the driver to the ground and carried him to a safe area away from the now fiercely burning truck.
“Without the actions of Captain Burke, the driver of truck would have perished in the fire. His actions on this day were courageous, selfless and in the finest traditions of CFA volunteer firefighting. The CFA is pleased to award Captain Burke the Chief Officer’s Commendation for Courage.”
As an added honour to the proceedings, Wayne Woods, the driver whose life Brad saved was in attendance and able to witness the recognition afforded to this “local hero”.
Upon receiving this much attention, Brad humbly accepted the commendation saying, “You just got to do what you’ve got to do in the moment.”
His wife, Vikki Burke, praised his considerable achievement with much less modesty, saying, “I guess our kids have a real-life hero, now!”
This kind of award is not just presented on any day, nor just to anyone, and the CFA as a whole celebrated Captain Brad Burke’s honour. It is hoped that his example may inspire the next generation to follow in his considerable footsteps; well done!
The afternoon closed with delicious catered refreshments and a good old chin wag and catch-up between different brigade members, while others braved the heat outside to check out the new trucks that had been delivered. It was truly an afternoon of celebration; all involved are to be congratulated on the ongoing success of District 18 and its members.
See all the pictures in the issue.
This article appeared in The Buloke Times, 21 March 2025.
