Our brigade and its members have never volunteered for awards or recognition. The only previous ceremony was 11 years ago when we came under the National Rural Fire Authority, and we were issued medals and bars from the Forest and Rural Fire Association, which was organised by the Rotorua District Council. It was a good evening, but we preferred to focus on what mattered, and that was our community. However, when Phil Muldoon stepped down as Chief Fire Officer after 20 years, with a total of 25 years in the brigade, we suggested that it would be good to recognise that commitment and that of our members.
Our brigade is typically modest, but the impact of its service resonates within our community. We have chosen to embody the values of selflessness and dedication without expecting recognition. Today, we break from tradition to express our deep gratitude and appreciation for our members contribution.
Our members commitment to the community is often underplayed, they consistently go above and beyond, whether it's turning up to brigade training nights, responding to emergencies, attending national or international deployments, completing training courses, or performing health and safety checklists.
As we present these awards, let us not forget the commitment of our previous members, our families, and loved ones, who have supported our volunteers behind the scenes. Your sacrifices do not go unnoticed, and today we extend our appreciation to each one of you.
To our volunteer firefighters, thank you for your humility, your dedication, and for embodying the true spirit of community service. Here's to many more years of quietly making a difference.