Included in the 2020 Queen’s Birthday Honours list announced on 8 June 2020 was three CFA members who were awarded the Australian Fire Services Medal (AFSM) in recognition of their contribution to the community.
Russell Pardew
Russell has been a volunteer with CFA for more than 47 years. As Captain of Bemm Fire Brigade and Orbost Group Officer, Russel is highly committed to the welfare of his community particularly in regarding emergency preparedness and resilience. Russell has been influential in the creation of robust cooperative working relationships between emergency services in the East Gippsland Shire that have enhanced community preparedness and safety. Russell is also known for his expert local and operational knowledge and chooses not to leave his local community to attend campaign fires due to his strong sense of duty and responsibility to the residents of his local area. You can read more about Russell’s service here.
Ian Symons
Ian is a volunteer at Clyde Fire Brigade and a former CFA career member who has given 55 years of service to CFA. Ian began his service with CFA as a volunteer at Lardner Fire Brigade in 1965 and was appointed to as a Regional Officer in 1970 serving in a number of different roles all the way up to Deputy Chief Officer (Operations). Since retiring as a staff member, Ian has continued his service with CFA as a mentor to younger brigade members as well as volunteering more broadly with other organisations in his local community. You can read more about Ian’s service here.
Robin Parsons
Robin first joined CFA as a volunteer reserve member of Geelong City Fire Brigade in 1962 and became a career firefighter at the same brigade in 1973. During his service to CFA, Robin has made an exceptional contribution to the development of consistency in the implementation of the principles and practices of the Australian Inter-agency Incident Management System (AIIMS) and has been described as an effective coach and mentor for personnel from many organisations not just CFA. Upon retiring from CFA as a staff member in 2012, Robin joined the Belmont Fire Brigade and is currently serving as an operational support member. You can read more about Robin’s service here.
VFBV congratulates these three members for the outstanding contribution to CFA and the broader community along with all Australian’s recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours this year.
