Firefighters celebrate first awards dinner in three years

By Georgia Rossiter

Jul 14, 2022

Annual awards: Back row (from left) Mayor Shane Sali, Captain Ben Temple, Peter Cole, David Taylor, Sarah Pearson, Caitlin Dewar, Frank Fitzpatrick, Sharleen Bachelor, MP Wendy Lovell and Commander Rohan Taylor. Front row (from left) Tim Hunt, Anthony Deith, Adam Hermelin, Josh Brown and Ben Linnett.

Firefighters from the Shepparton Fire Brigade, Fire Rescue Victoria and other surrounding brigades were able to attend the first annual awards dinner in three years last month.

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Attended by special guests City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Shane Sali and Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell, award recipients from the past three years were finally recognised for their achievements.

A CFA spokesperson said the dinner was the first one since the Black Summer Bushfires in NSW.

“The annual dinner was much needed so that we may get together as a group, celebrate our achievements, also take a moment to pay respect to the lives lost during the fires,” the spokesperson said.

It was also the first time the Captain’s Award was given out.

“The Captain's Award, presented by Captain Ben Temple, was the first in its history,” the spokesperson said.

“Peter Cole, being the inaugural winner, was delighted by his achievements.”