Firefighters’ service honoured
Te Puke brigade rewards volunteers’ long service at annual honours night
Te Puke Volunteer Fire Brigade held its annual honours night on August 13. Brian Pinkerton, now with operational support, received a gold bar for 45 years’ service while station officer Malcolm Flood received a gold bar for 43 years service and chief fire officer Glenn Williams a gold bar in recognition of 41 years’ service.
Silver bars were awarded to senior firefighter Steve Hennum (17 years’ service), qualified firefighter Wayne Bain, station officer Karl Simmons and qualified firefighter Blair Reeve (all 15 years), exqualified firefighter Richard Crawford (13 years), qualified firefighter Reece Jordan (9 years), qualified firefighter Mark Deacon and brigade support Annette Pilcher (both 7 years). Qualified firefighter Matthew Atchison received his three year certificate. Station officer Simmons and ex-senior firefighter Glenn Hughes each received the FENZ long service and good conduct medal for 14 years’ service and senior station officer Keith Merritt was awarded the FENZ long service and good conduct medal, second clasp, for 28 years’ service.
The Harry Diprose Memorial Cup for the most musters was won jointly by Peter Lindsay and Steve Hennum, the Gordon Watkins Memorial Trophy for most calls went to Steve Hennum and the watch trophy was awarded to Green Watch. Peter Lindsay was the Firefighter of the Year and Malachi White the Rookie of the Year.