Troy’s the top fire boy

By Kelly Yates
TROY Webster of Narre Warren cannot imagine what his life would be like if he wasn’t a volunteer firefighter.
The 22-year-old was announced as firefighter of the year at the Narre Warren North Fire Brigade’s annual dinner dance and awards night last Saturday.
Mr Webster said he was shocked at taking the award and trophy.
“I still can’t get over it. I wasn’t expecting it,” he said.
Mr Webster has been a volunteer firefighter with the brigade for about four years.
“I needed a change in my lifestyle and to be put on the straight and narrow so I joined the brigade,” he said.
“And I haven’t looked back. I love it. I don’t know where I’d be if it wasn’t for the CFA.”
Mr Webster recalled the events of Black Saturday as something that would stay with him forever.
“It will never leave me. It scared me and also the other people around me,” he said.
Mr Webster is encouraging others to join local fire brigades.
“It’s a great passion to have. The guys down there at Narre Warren North are like my second family,” he said.
The awards night was held at the Dandenong Club and guests included Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan, Casey councillors Shar Balmes and Bev Hastie and Casey Group Officer Shane Keen.
The captain’s award went to Ali Howat and Carlie Chisholm, with Howat also winning the Len Sonoran Award. Narre Warren North Fire Brigade captain Shaun Trotter and the other brigade members thanked their partners, families and the local community and businesses for their support throughout the year.