Chief favours brigade over PM

Story from South Gippsland Sentinel Times

In fact, the Pound Creek brigade booked Mr Ferguson for its Australia Day ceremony more than a year in advance. "Pound Creek gave me 12 months' notice but the Prime Minister sent out an invitation two weeks ago; it's a case of first in, best dressed," he said.

"But I said when I took this job on that I was determined to get out to the volunteers, get out of Melbourne and Canberra."

Since he was already booked to go to Pound Creek on Thursday afternoon, he also accepted the guest speaking honours at the Leongatha McIndoe Park ceremony.

Mr Ferguson congratulated the many volunteers who he said make Australia great. He said that people's connection to place, community, town and nation inspires them to give their time, skills and effort.

After speaking with many of the CFA volunteers who attended the ceremony, Mr Ferguson took time to talk to the many other volunteers at the ceremony.

In fact, it was a sea of uniforms that surrounded McIndoe Park, with guides, scouts, paramedics. St John's Ambulance, SES, CFA and many women proudly wearing their CWA badges.