Big night for Hutt Valley fire brigade members

It was a big night for brigade members from across the Hutt Valley and their whānau (families) last month.

They were honoured for their service to Fire and Emergency, including Qualified Firefighter Gary Goodwin who celebrated an outstanding 50 years of service.

The service honours event was held in Silverstream on 25 November and saw the presentation of three-year and 40-year Service Certificates, Long Service and Good Conduct Medals, five-year Medals, Gold Star Medals for 25 and 50 years, Gold Star Ties, Gold Star Brooches, and Gold Star Lapel Badges.

On hand to be part of the celebration and present awards were Deputy National Commander Brendan Nally; Wellington District Manager Nick Pyatt; Group Manager Gareth Hughes; Lower Hutt Deputy Mayor Helen Swales (Upper Hutt); and Deputy Mayor Tui Lewis (Lower Hutt).

The presentation list was:

NZ Fire Brigades Long Service Good Conduct Medals

Senior Firefighter Timothy Cottier, Qualified Firefighter Tony Horne, Station Officer Ross Billman, Senior Firefighter Timothy Reynolds 

Three-year Certificates   

Qualified Firefighters Benjamin Christophers and Zinny McCormick 

Five-year Medals

Senior Firefighters Matthew Haigh, Hami Love, Benjamin Saunders, Paris Winiata, Matthew Corderoy, and Kelvin Bennett 

40-year Certificates

Senior Station Officer Graham Hill, Station Officer Gary Stallard and Volunteer Support Officer John Rowe.

Hutt Valley Fire Brigade Social Club Farewell Gift

Retired Senior Firefighter Allan Bradley

25-year Gold Star Medals, Certificates & Cards, Fire and Emergency New Zealand 25 Year Gift, Te Ūpoko Region Plaques, Gold Star Tie, Lapel Badge and Gold Star Brooch and Flowers

Risk Reduction Advisor Jay Bauman. Senior Station Officer Alaster Jefferys, and Qualified Firefighter Peter Boyd 

50-year Service Medal, Certificates & Cards, Fire and Emergency statues, Te Ūpoko Region Plaque and Whiskey Glasses Set, Gold Star Tie, Lapel Badge and Gold Star Brooch and Flowers

Qualified Firefighter Gary Goodwin (now retired)

Deputy National Commander Brendan Nally presented Gary with his plaque and said ‘to dedicate half a century of service to Fire and Emergency and its predecessors is a significant achievement’. 

‘It means far more than just serving your brigade and this organisation; it is 50 years of broken sleep, missed family dinners and missed time with friends to be at hand to respond when your community needs it most. I am proud to present you with this plaque in recognition of this significant milestone.’

Brendan also said he would like to acknowledge and thank Craig Prince, Station Officer at Remutaka Station on behalf of everyone involved for the extraordinary effort he put into organising the event.

'Craig has done a fantastic job and put in a lot of work to make tonight happen.'

Congratulations to all the recipients of service honours.

L to R: Paul Carline, Michael Cunningham, Michael Magyar, Allan Bradley 

Brendan Nally, Alaster Jeffreys

Brendan Nally, Jay Bauman

Brendan Nally, Peter Boyd

Gareth Hughes, Matthew Haigh, Brent Pritchard 

Gary Goodwin (left), John Rowe