On Saturday, 15 September, Chief Officer Euan Ferguson presented the award to the brigade, as well as an individual citation to Captain Ken Williamson.
More than a third of Whittlesea brigade’s area was affected during the bushfires with 13 people killed. As well as providing frontline services during the campaign, Whittlesea CFA helped run a Staging Area which was set up in the town for more than 10 days.
Mr Ferguson said the 2009 bushfires in January and February ravaged many parts of Victoria and affected more than 19,000 CFA members who were involved in frontline firefighting, incident management and support behind the scenes.
He said the citations were a humble symbol of service, dedication and the spirit of CFA.
Captain Williamson said the unit citation, presented to more than 30 members was “a timely acknowledgement of their efforts and the support provided from other brigades.”
The Chief Officer’s Unit Citation for Courage was presented to:
Roland Gardiner
Timothy Dawkins
Christopher Robson
Richard Gardiner
Angus Duckmanton
Scott Allen
Nick Aniello
Allan Cann
Rodney Clark
Callum Duckmanton
Peter Gardiner
Michael Gray
Warwick Greenwood
Ian Kay
Paul Lee
Mark Parker
Graham Roberts
Jeff Rowden
Phillip Rowe
Cory Smethurst
Julie Smith
Noel Speakman
David Stafford
Michael Welsh
Daryl Williamson
Michael Billing
Shaun Caccianiga
Jess Cave
Greg Friend
Jarryd Ingleton
Thomas Upton
*Photos by Caitlin Ogilvie from SHOTATCLOSERANGE Photography
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