The Rural Fire Service recently held an awards presentation at Dural Club issuing awards to members for their long-standing contribution to the NSW RFS.
Bruce Whiteman joined Glenorie RFS 51 years ago and received a 50 year-long service award. Bruce became a Crew Leader in 1988 and continues in this role, and in 2002, he was voted in as President and held this role until 2011. Bruce has been the mainstay for the daytime calls outs for the entire time he has been with the brigade. He was a part of the patrol contingency for the Papal visit in 2008. He actively supports district events and holds the honour of District Champion and runner up for four NAVEX events in a row. In 2003 Bruce was awarded with a life membership. His half century dedication to the RFS is a monumental contribution as a volunteer to the community and to the RFS.
Craig Whiteman joined Glenorie RFS in 1994 and has just received a 30 year-long service award. Craig was elected Deputy Captain in 2016; is currently Mitigation Co-Ordinator and assists in training at both district and state levels. He has completed numerous deployments in NSW and interstate including Tasmania and Northern Territory and during the 2019/2020 fire season, he was a Team Leader at multiple RAFT shifts into remote areas of the Gosper Mountains and Blue Mountains Fires. Craig is a highly skilled volunteer, with loads of experience with firefighting and is an asset to the brigade.
Matt Lloyd joined Glenorie RFS as a junior member in 1994 and has always shown an interest in brigade life.In 2008, Matt was elected Deputy Captain, maintaining that role until he stepped into the position of Senior Deputy Captain in 2011. He transitioned into the role of Captain in 2013, which he held until 2017 and then in 2022, he became a Hills District Deputy Group Captain. Matt has contributed to many NSW STARG deployments and assists with training courses across the district. He has a wealth of experience; is a highly skilled firefighter and has been honoured with a 30 year-long service award.
Colvin Ellis joined Glenorie RFS in 1994 and has been a Deputy Captain since 2002. He is currently Equipment Co-Ordinator and has been given a life membership. Col has attended several STARG deployments across NSW and in Victoria, South Australia and Queensland. He was honoured to receive a medal for assisting with the emergency and recovery response team during the Hunter and Central Coast storms in 2007, and the fires at Gospers Mountain and Badja Forest in 2019/2020. Col is committed to brigade life, he dedicates a lot of time to Glenorie RFS and with his vast experience with firefighting, he is a great role model to his fellow members.
Diane Coxon-Ellis joined Glenorie RFS and Communications in 1994. She held the role of Vice President from 2008-2011 and Communications Deputy Captain from 2005-2015. Di has served the RFS through communications at several major state emergencies and received a medal for assisting with the emergency and recovery response team during the 2007 Hunter and Central Coast storms. She took on CFLO roles during the floods in Lismore and Hawkesbury and was involved in the security crew for the 2000 Sydney Olympics and Para-Olympics and 2008 Papal visit. She was honoured to receive a 30 year-long service award.
Mark Bluett joined Glenorie RFS just before the fires in 2002. Mark assisted with the horrific Black Summer Fires and did extensive work as a safety advisor for the post floods clean-up at Wisemans Ferry and Dargle. During 2011-2019, Mark performed the role of President and for the past 5 years, he has been a Deputy Captain. He is a big advocate for supporting fellow members with their progression within the brigade and enjoys the sense of camaraderie with the team.
