Seventeen local Fire Brigade members were recognised last week at the opening of the Marthaguy brigade’s first fire station, for a combined service of over 500 years.

Thanks to land donated from the Hunt family, the Marthaguy community saw the official opening of their first, newly built station on Wednesday 1 November. 

Of the 17 volunteers being recognised from brigades around the Warren shire, one member lined up for a heavy haul of Long Service clasps. 

“I would like to make special mention of Harry Barclay, a member of the Ewenmar Rural Fire Brigade since 1962, who is recognised for an impressive 61 years of dedicated service,” RFS Assistant Commissioner Jayson McKellar said. 

Mr Barclay received the Long Service Medal 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th clasp.

“Harry has been an integral part of the brigade, holding the role of Deputy Captain from 2003-2012 and Fire Permit Officer from 2005-2012, where he has helped ensure landowners did the right thing managing fire and hazards on their property.”

Other recognised members hailed from Gulargambone, Pigeonbah, Gradgery, Gillendoon/Yarrandale and Marthaguy.

Multiple medals and a new shed for veteran RFS volunteers. IMAGE: RFS North West Zone

Recipients of the Long Service Medal were John Alchin, Robert Searle, Jock Fisher, Christopher Noonan, Angus O’Brien, Archie Owens, Douglas Storer, Greg Storer, Sharon McCalman, Phillip Cosgrove, Alex Ramsay, Peter Perry, David Ramsay, Peter McCalman, John Simmons, Paul Fisher and Peter Wise. 

“The RFS members being celebrated today have and continue to give their time, to not only protect their communities, but to carry out critical behind-the-scenes work, which enables our frontline firefighters to do their job. 

In Marthaguy, the new $240,000 facility includes a single truck bay, kitchenette, accessible bathroom, storage facilities, solar power and a water tank.