Local Fire Volunteers Recognised

IMAGE: John Dymock and Councillor John Piper.

At a ceremony held at Harden Fire Control Centre on Saturday 30th July 2022, Boorowa residents Councillor John Piper and John Dymock were awarded National Emergency medals in recognition of their contribution to control the 2019-2020 bushfires.

The men were involved in areas such as Ebor, Dorrigo, Adelong, Tumut, and Tumblong.

The medals were presented by Assistant Commissioner Peter McKecknie, Director Regions South & West at the NSW Rural Fire Service, Mayor Margaret Roles, and Member for Riverina, Michael McCormack.

Both awardees thanked their wives for their support during what was truly a national emergency.

John Piper said that he was humbled to be recognised by his community for simply being a volunteer: it was a job that needed thousands of fire fighters and support systems to regain control.

One most interesting memory was the contribution of the cooking class at Bellingen High School.

They cooked a number of sponge cakes and sent them and a card to the base camp at Dorrigo. The crews demolished the cakes in two days.