RFSA Honours and Awards Presented
At a special ceremony in late November, the RFSA honoured it’s 2019 Honours and Awards recipients.
In normal years, the Honours and Awards are given out after the Association’s AGM in June. However due to restrictions on social gathering at the time, it was decided to move the ceremony until restrictions eased, and they could be presented in a COVID-safe manner.
RFSA Honours and Awards are given to members who have displayed a high level of excellence in RFSA participation and exceptional contributions to the Association’s programs and Projects.
2019 Young Member of the Year was awarded to Alexander Milgate of Warringah/Pittwater HQ. He currently serves as Vice President of the Northern Beaches RFSA Branch and is Crew Leader and Community Safety Officer in his Brigade. He regularly attends RFSA Division 4 meetings and on occasion has filled in as Chairperson for the Northern Beaches Branch meetings.
Alexander was also actively involved in the NSW RFS Young Members Group. As part of the group Alexander attended RFSA Conferences, Leadership and Young Members forums and was keenly interested in pursuing issues faced by his fellow young members.
Alexander spent countless days in the field over 2019-2020 fire season and went on numerous deployments to Northern and Southern New South Wales.
RFSA Life Member is the highest award the RFSA can bestow, and is presented sparingly to those who have made significant, quality and sustained contribution towards the growth and success of the RFSA, above and beyond normal expectations. This year, two members were awarded RFSA Life Membership, Geoff Ryan and Terry Kitching.
Geoff Ryan is a member of Perthville/Georges Plains Rural Fire Brigade and Chairperson of RFSA Division 8. Well known for his dry wit, Geoff is always one of the first to put up his hand to assist where he can and has no qualms traveling the length and breadth of the state, clocking up hours in the car so he can attend meetings and events in support of the RFSA.
Alongside his role as Division 8 Chairperson, Geoff has been a member of the NSW RFS/RFSA Consultative Committees since 2012, a position he still holds to this day. Nothing is ever too much for Geoff if it elevates the RFSA and helps support his fellow members.
Terry Kitching works at the Greater Taree Fire Control Centre and constantly displays the highest level of excellence in RFSA participation. Actively involved in the old Fire Control Officers Association (FCOA) and then the RFSA, Terry is a valued member of Division 3.
He has provided representation on numerous committees to ensure the most effective means of directly influencing such things as legislation, fire service structure, brigade funding, training, health and safety, and equipment standards. He is a well-known and respected amongst his fellow members for his honesty and commitment.