Region 8 Operations Manager Trevor Owen, 1st Lieutenant David Beards, Captain Noel Collins, CFA board member Peter Marke and Region 8 Operations Officer CliffO’Connor at the National Medals ceremony at the Narre Warren Fire Station.By Lia Bichel
Captain Noel Collins and 1st Lieutenant David Beards were presented with the medals by CFA board member Peter Marke at a ceremony at the Narre Warren Fire Station.
Capt. Collins joined Narre Warren Fire Brigade in 1989, and was elected as Captain in 2002.
In his nine years of service at Narre Warren, Capt. Collins has turned over 800 calls since the commencement of the fire reporting system in 1996, and has been the brigade’s training officer, apparatus officer and assistance apparatus officer.
Jodie Weir, brigade support officer said, “he has brought to his captaincy the same enthusiasm, skill and commitment he showed when he first joined and has helped shape the brigade into what it has become today.”
Lieut. Beards also received the award for his services.
He joined Narre Warren Fire Brigade in 1993 after serving nine years with Bayswater Fire Brigade.
He was elected as Lieutenant in 1995 and held the position for two years. He was re-elected in 2003 and has since been the 1st Lieutenant of Narre Warren.
In his time of service, Lieut. Beards has turned over 1300 fire-calls, has been a workplace assessor, workplace trainer, and an employee of the CFA for over 14 years.
“This award by Her Majesty is for diligent service for a period of 15 years,” said Ms Weir.
“It also serves in part to thank Noel’s and David’s families for their support and understanding of the commitment involved in not only being a member of the Narre Warren CFA but an officer of the brigade.”
