Celebrating our heroes

COBDEN’S Geoff Fagan has been recognised for a remarkable 70 years of service to the Country Fire Authority (CFA), leading a family which has given back a collective 220 years of service.

A family legacy: It was a proud day for the Fagan family as stalwarts of the Cobden Fire Brigade when Ashley Fagan (left) was recognised as Firefighter of the Year after 45 years of dedicated service, while his father Geoff Fagan was recognised for 70 years of service.

The Cobden Fire Brigade hosted its annual honours and awards event on Sunday with 18 members earning Service Awards or National Medals.

CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan and Deputy Chief Officer Adrian Gutsche were in attendance for the occasion, celebrating the illustrious service Geoff Fagan has given since joining the brigade in 1955.

He remains an active member to this day.

There was not a dry eye in the Cobden Recreation Reserve when Ashley Fagan spoke on his father’s 70 years.

“It is a great day for the brigade and family – 70 years is nothing to be sneezed at,” he said.

“You probably had easy stepping stones with your father, Eric, joining in 1938 – a life member, former captain and foundation member.

“Your mother, Alice, had over 40 years’ service and was the first female in Victoria to be recognised for service.

“Your brother, Graham, served 25 years, your son, Ashley, served 45, your other son, Neil, was an original junior team member in 1977 and your grandchildren, Josh and Lucy, are competitive members.

“My calculations are 220 years as a family.”

Ashley said his father had left an indelible mark on the wider brigade, with a particular emphasis on his time with the Cobden Urban Fire Brigade in competitions.

This is the long-standing athletic tradition where fitness and teamwork are tested through firefighting-themed events such as hose and hydrant drills, where Ashley said his father “really came to the fore”.

“Not only being a fierce competitor but you ended up probably the successful senior coach not only in this town, but between Geelong and the South Australian border,” he said.

“Unbeatable in some years and in 1981 hit the ultimate to win the championships in B-class, which put us on the map.

“In 1977 you had a pipe dream to get juniors as well as females involved, and you created an unbelievable success rate.

“In that period, you extended and grew friendships to people sitting here such as Neville and Denise Robertson who were just the backbone of the Cobden juniors.”

Geoff thanked his family, including beloved wife Wilma, for being by his side for 64 years.

“I had family on my mind throughout because the Cobden Fire Brigade is a family brigade,” he said.

“You can list them off – the Andrews, the Parlours, the Robertsons, the Roberts, the McQuinns, the Fagans – there’s been a great progression right through.

“One of my great pleasures was the junior brigade.

“With the help of parents, we soon ran into action, we’ve travelled all over the state and won state awards, we went to Tasmania and teamed up for the Tasmanian championships.

“It’s been great, and I’ll cherish those memories forever.”

As Cobden Fire Brigade Captain Dale Robertson offered his congratulations to Geoff, he also took the opportunity to announce Ashley Fagan had been named Cobden’s Firefighter of the Year.

In presenting the award, Capt Robertson admitted he knew Ashley was not fond of recognition and accolades but said “the brigade wouldn’t be where it is without Geoff and Ash”.

Ashley said nobody was part of the CFA for recognition, but everyone involved deserved it – particularly after their collective efforts battling bushfires in the Gellibrand area earlier this year.

“I can’t take my hat off enough for the volunteers of Cobden Fire Brigade and surrounding group members,” he said.

Other Service Award recipients included Daniel Crowe, who received his 10-year Service Award.

Kim Gration and Brayden Crow were recognised for 15 years’ service while Abbey Cameron marked 20 years.

Stephen McQuinn and Darryl Neal marked 25 years and Jeffery Price and Trevor Roberts celebrated their 30 years.

Mark Roberts and Dale Robertson reached 40 years and Ashley Fagan notched 45 years.

CFA Deputy Chief Officer Adrian Gutsche congratulated all the service award recipients, who totalled more than 350 years of dedicated service, reciting the meaning behind the years of service medal.

“Each point of the star separately represents the virtues of dexterity, explicitness, gallantry, loyalty, observation, perseverance, sympathy and tact,” he said.

“These virtues are considered to represent the qualities of a firefighter.”

CFA board member Bryce Morden, who is also a member of the Timboon CFA, presented the National Medals to Trevor Roberts, Mark Roberts, Ashley Fagan, Dale Robertson, Christopher Gaut, Greg McQuinn, William Nelson, David Robertson, Neville Robertson and Trevor Robertson.

Mr Morden said the medals had no meaning without the efforts of those receiving them.

“The service awards and medallions being handed out today are just a clump of metal, but what they mean and what they represent is what’s really important,” he said.

“They represent your time and commitment to your community, to the CFA at large and, most importantly, they represent the impact you have on your community.

“That’s what we’re all about – saving lives and property, whether you’re on the back of a truck or in an administrative support role.

“It all contributes to that mission, and that’s what we’re celebrating.”

Mr Morden said he cherished presenting the awards while hearing the laugher of children running around the room together as family is at the heart of everything the CFA does.

“How fantastic is it that this is a family-friendly brigade,” he said.

“That is how a brigade survives and thrive – being based where people want to be, places where kids are involved with the CFA as part of their lives.

“Where they are welcomed and grow up, where your members become old members.

“Legacy is the best thing an old firefighter can do – teaching young firefighters how to become old firefighters.”