A pair of local firefighting couples have been recognised for their years of dedicated service to the Mandurah Southern Districts Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade at the Western Australia Volunteer Service Awards on Sunday.
Kaye and Brian Toussaint and Ann and Dunk Graham were presented awards in the 25-49 year award category by volunteering minister Mick Murray for the combined 120 years of service they have given to the local Brigade.
Kaye and Brian Toussaint have been members of the brigade for more than 30 years and both helped build the brigade’s main facility, later inviting Kaye’s sister Ann and husband Dunk to become involved.
Mr Toussaint was Captain of the brigade for 14 years and said he still felt a big adrenaline rush out of the work, after having been involved in fighting major local fires over the years.
“We have had bad car accidents and deaths, but mainly the big Dwellingup fire – we were there,” he said.
“With the Lake Clifton fire we were there on and off for seven days. That would have been the biggest local one I was involved in.”
Mrs Toussaint said their husband-wife pairing made the sometimes-difficult firefighting work easier to handle.
“We talk about it a lot amongst ourselves – that is the advantage of being a husband and wife team,” she said.
“When you get home at 2am you will talk as long as you need to talk before you go to sleep.
“The work is exhausting but it is very satisfying to know you have beaten that fire.”
Mr Murray presented the awards at Crown Towers in the lead up to National Volunteer Week.
Recipients were nominated for 25 years or more service, or 50 years or more continuous service to one organisation.
Mr Murray said the awards were an opportunity to thank volunteers who make a significant contribution to the community every day.
“Volunteers play a vital role in Western Australian communities – making a social, economic and cultural contribution to the State valued at about $39 billion annually,” he said.
“This doesn’t just happen. It takes hard work and commitment from volunteers and volunteer-involving organisations and they deserve our support.”
Mr Murray also encouraged people to apply for the Thank a Volunteer Day grants, which offer up to $1000 for community organisations to host events or activities.
