Strathmerton’s Phillip Ross-Soden is one of four northern Victorian volunteer firefighters who has been recognised for a combined 157 years of service.
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Neil Lonie (St Jame’s brigade), Wayne Geisler (Kotupna), Alan Hendy (Naring) and Mr Ross-Soden recently received Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria Gold Stars for service to the District 22 region at the recent Rural Championships in Strathmerton.
All from farming backgrounds, the members have played significant roles in their brigades and in encouraging young people to become involved with the CFA through rural championship competitions.
Mr Ross-Soden joined the Strathmerton brigade 40 years ago to compete in the championships and stayed to help protect the community as a firefighter, including 14 years as brigade captain.
Mr Ross-Soden is now vice-president of the District 22 rural championship team and continues to advocate the value of the competition.
‘‘It’s character building,’’ he said.
‘‘We’re a family-orientated brigade and we’ve had 11-year-old kids start in the championships and go on to become permanent firefighters. Not all stay on but some do and that’s great.’’
Mr Geisler joined the Kotupna brigade when he was 16, about 35 years ago and is a state judge and District 22 rural championship committee president.
‘‘The championships are an important part of the CFA,’’ he said.
‘‘They’re a good way to get junior members involved and interested and I’ve seen a few go on to become volunteers.’’
All four recipients did not set out to get recognition but were humbled by the awards.
VFBV board member and state councillor Graeme Jilbert presented the medals.
The first gold star was awarded in 1969 to WM Reid from Mooroopna Fire Brigade, which is also in District 22. Since 1969, only 1460 VFBV Gold Stars have been presented.
VFBV chief Andrew Ford described volunteers as the cornerstone of local communities and said the experience and willingness to drop everything to provide vital surge capacity to communities in need made a huge contribution to the safety and response capacity of CFA and the protection of Victoria.
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