Community
25 July, 2025
Community volunteers recognised
THREE Country Fire Authority (CFA) volunteers in Camperdown, Derrinallum and Lismore have been recognised for their efforts in promoting community safety at a recent awards night dinner.
The trio attended the recent South West Region Community Safety Awards and were among 13 volunteers recognised with awards presented by South West Regions deputy chief officer Adrian Gustche.
Camperdown CFA community safety coordinator Sarah Blair was presented with the Exceptional Contribution to Community Safety award for her work in building a working relationship with the Camperdown Lions Club.
This includes partnering with the club in March for their annual smoke alarm installation and testing program, which saw 41 properties receive working smoke alarms.
Camperdown CFA and Camperdown Lions also held a free community barbecue held at the Camperdown market in June.
Ms Blair said the award showed the value in working with other community groups.
“It was a team effort, so I’m very happy to accept the award, and it’s certainly on behalf of everyone who helped out on the day, which is the Lions Club as well as other CFA volunteers,” she said.
“It’s nice to receive the encouragement because I’m looking to do a lot more work when it comes to community safety and partnering with other community organisations because you’re stronger when you’re united.
“It’s really important to recognise that not all of our work is done on the end of a hose, and there is so much value in the community safety and community engagement work we do.
“The best scenario is to prevent fires rather than dealing with them when they arise, so the safer and more educated toe community is, the stronger it is.
“We need volunteers and members to help with that.”
Derrinallum and Lismore’s CFA brigades were also represented, with a joint award presented to Derrinallum CFA First Lieutenant Stephen Bignell and Lismore CFA captain Sanjan Dawson for Exceptional Contribution to Fire Prevention.
The award acknowledged their work within the Lismore group vegetation management team to support, organise and carry out planned burns within District Six.
Lismore CFA captain Sanjan Dawson said the burns cover the Hamilton Highway from Cressy to Darlington, as well as encompassing a number of back roads in the area.
He said it was “quite a privilege” to be recognised.
“A lot of the work we do, we don’t do it to be rewarded,” Mr Dawson said.
“We do it for our community, and it’s quite an honour to be acknowledged for the work we do for the community and the fire brigade trying to reduce the risk of fire.
“It’s a pretty rewarding thing to help the community in their time of need.
“We’re always looking for new members – all the brigades in the south west.
“Get in contact with your local brigade, have a chat to them, and jump online and put an expression of interest in.”
Mr Bignell said he was “humbled” to receive the award, but said it was recognition for the community as well as the brigade.
“It’s very much appreciative, but I would stress it’s a reflection on the community’s work as well as the work on community fire prevention the local brigade does,” he said.
“It reflects them – you can’t do it without them. It’s a joint effort for the community.
“I’m grateful for the support the CFA and the district give us to do that work.
“It has very real positive impacts for the community, and it’s something that goes on all year round.
“There are different aspects in the CFA to suit different people’s interest. It’s a very rewarding volunteer group.”
Read More: local