General News
17 October, 2023
Life membership for Couch
COLOURFUL Scotts Creek farmer Warren Couch was awarded a prestigious National Medal for Service and Life Membership Award for over 50 years of volunteering with the CFA.
COLOURFUL Scotts Creek farmer Warren Couch was awarded a prestigious National Medal for Service and Life Membership Award for over 50 years of volunteering with the CFA.
Mr Couch, 77, was nominated by his peers for his “exceptional leadership”, “diligent and dedicated service” having “always represented the CFA at a very high standard”, with the five-month approval process going all the way to Government House, Canberra.
“They reckon you're a bit modest mate," noted Andrew Emery – assistant chief fire officer for District 6 - who presented the medals to Mr Couch in an award ceremony at Simpson earlier this month.
“Well tonight's your night,” he said.
The medals were pinned by fellow volunteer and group officer Neville Hallyburton.
Mr Couch first signed up as a 17-year-old in the Scotts Creek-Cowley's Creek Brigade.
He fondly recalls clambering over “the old Austin trucks” and later marvelling at the introduction of radios and has held over a dozen different offices over the next 50 years.
This includes a staggering 49 year stint as group secretary of Timboon Group of Brigades.
Other offices held include treasurer, brigade member, group delegate, comms officer, 1st, 2nd and 3rd Lt, 2nd and 3rd DGO.
Mr Couch said the presentation was “pretty humbling, that's for sure”.
He shared many stories with the guests at the ceremony including the time he helped bulldoze red tape (literally) to get an unsafe access road for emergency vehicles upgraded at Old Coach Road, Princetown, after both the Corangamite Shire and Parks Victoria had turned them down.
“We'd had an emergency down there and simply couldn't turn the vehicles around,” Mr Couch said.
“So it was decided that I would write a letter to anyone and everyone who had influence, newspapers, radio and to Members of Parliament.”
The campaign obviously worked as a few days later he got a call from the Corangamite Shire who were sending a grader to meet up with the Parks Victoria bulldozer and clear the track.”
“I was pretty proud of the group. It was a great achievement,” Mr Couch said.
He said he has been ringside at some major changes at the CFA over the years, most notably the introduction of safety gear for volunteers
But what's always resonated for Mr Couch was the sense of community and civic engagement, a family tradition.
“My dad was a CFA member and secretary of the local Scotts Creek Hall committee for 25 years,” he said.
“It's what we do.”
Mr Couch gave special thanks to his wife Wendy.
The National Medal, which was granted by Queen Elizabeth in 1975, honors those who have served in the Australian Police forces, Australian Fire Services, Protective Service, Australian Correctional Services and Australian Emergency Services.
The ribbon of 15 gold and blue vertical stripes symbolizes 15 years of service, while the clasps of bronze bars each recognize 10 years of service.