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Outstanding Service Awards Presented to Outstanding Volunteers

Monday 1 September 2008, 10:27AM

By Franklin District Council

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(From left to right) Back Row: Wayne Morrison, Bob Taylor, Peter Taylor, Brett Smythe, Howard Logan, Philip Newland, Aaron White, Andy Baker, Mark Ball. Front Row: Alan Flux, Phil Smith, Bryan Irvine, Linda Wheeler, Murray Gallagher, Gayle Oswald, Neville
(From left to right) Back Row: Wayne Morrison, Bob Taylor, Peter Taylor, Brett Smythe, Howard Logan, Philip Newland, Aaron White, Andy Baker, Mark Ball. Front Row: Alan Flux, Phil Smith, Bryan Irvine, Linda Wheeler, Murray Gallagher, Gayle Oswald, Neville Credit: Franklin District Council

AUCKLAND

Throughout the year rural fire fighters support the Franklin community by attending fires, rescues and other incidents. Often first on the scene, these hard working men and women volunteer to serve their communities.

All of these volunteers are greatly valued; on Thursday 28 August however a function was held in the Franklin District Council Chambers to recognise 14 rural fire fighters who have gone above and beyond. These 14 rural fire fighters were awarded an Outstanding Service Award from Franklin District Council. They have all been involved in extra activities such as public education, fire safety, involvement in training, dedicated fund raising for the benefit of their communities or stand out due to their long committed service.

The awards went to Mark McGregor, Linda Wheeler, Brett Smythe, Peter Taylor from Onewhero Voluntary Rural Fire Force; Phil Smith, Murray Gallagher, Wayne Morrison from Waiau Pa Voluntary Rural Fire Force; Howard Logan, Neville Bull, Gayle Oswald from Awhitu Voluntary Rural Fire Force; Philip Newland, Aaron White from Hunua Voluntary Rural Fire Force; Bryan Irvine, Bob Taylor from Kaiaua Voluntary Rural Fire Force.

“The whole Franklin community owes these men and women for everything they do for us. It is great to get an opportunity to show our gratitude to these special people for their selfless service,” says Franklin District Council Mayor (and former Principal Rural Fire Officer), Mark Ball.

The recipients unsurprisingly wouldn’t take all the credit themselves and acknowledged the efforts of all the members of their fire forces, past and present, and also their families and employers who live with the disruption that being a volunteer fire fighter brings.

The event was attended by the 14 award recipients, Franklin District Council Mayor Mark Ball, Chief Executive Sally Davis, Group Manager Community Facilities (and responsible for emergency management in Franklin) Ian Alexander, Principal Rural Fire Officer Andy Baker several Councillors, Rural Fire staff and the families of the recipients.