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In this year’s Queens Birthday Honours, Leolyn Clem Watkins was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for service to the community of Ararat, including as a member of Warrak Brigade since 1961, with Life Membership awarded in 1992.
To get to know Leo, we asked for some personal insights into his life, especially with the CFA.
1. What have been your roles with the CFA and are you still involved?
I was never a captain or anything like that; just one of the soldier ants, so to speak.
2. What drives you to undertake roles, with CFA or anywhere, with such a focus on serving communities?
I just did my little bit and was quite happy to do so, but there were a lot of others around the town who’ve done a lot more than I’ve done and are worthy of awards. I’ve been out fighting fires and participated in whatever was going on around the place. I was on any local committee around here; the hall committee, the cemetery Trust, the recreation committee. It was just the accepted thing; you were in the community so you did your bit. I don’t know if it was expected of you, but I could see the benefit of it and I was prepared to put my hand up.
3. What prompted you to join the CFA?
I think I joined in 1961. I’m 85 now, going on 86. I’ve got a sheep property here at Warrak, which is about 20 kilometres east of Ararat. It was just the accepted thing in those days. If you were in the community you had to be prepared to protect your properties. It’s only a small community but we all helped. It wasn’t just me, there were always others around the place who had properties. We got together and if there was a fire, we worked on it.
4. What is the most important thing you’ve learned in your time as a CFA volunteer?
It was good for me to be involved. You become aware of when there are fire ban days and you keep your eyes open and make sure you don’t do stupid things like grinding metal and that sort of thing. You become aware of how dangerous fires are and how easily they can start.
5. What do you think your best achievements are in your role with CFA?
Fortunately, where I’m situated, the fires never came any closer than five kilometres, though a fire did burn about 20 acres of scrub on a portion of a bush block which adjoins me. It was just good to be available to help when needed.
6. Which was your favourite role or activity with CFA and why?
I’ve tried and done the best I could just to help the brigade and the community with anything that was needed.
7. What makes a good CFA volunteer?
Be prepared to put aside what you’re doing and put your efforts to helping others.
Congratulations Leo and thanks for being such an inspiring part of our CFA family.
