Leslie Rural Fire Brigade celebrates station opening as Southern Downs’ rural firefighters honoured

A rural fire brigade has literally been a backyard operation for two decades but celebrated a great honour, 20 years in the making, during Rural Fire Service Week. Photos and the region’s award recipients here.

Allora Rural Fire Brigade received a new appliance during Rural Fire Service Week at the recommissioned Allora facility on Saturday, August 3rd. Photo: Jessica Klein

For the past two decades, a Southern Downs rural fire brigade has literally been a backyard operation.

Storing their fire truck behind a pub, or at their first officer’s property, members of the Leslie Rural Fire Brigade had to keep all their equipment on hand, with no dedicated place to call home.

“We had the truck parked up at the pub’s shed and then when we got the second one it was too big to fit in that shed, so its sat in mine at home we finally got things happening,” former first officer Terry Crowley said.

The continuous battle of finding a place to store the brigade’s appliances and growing equipment inspired the fight to make a station a reality for the brigade and community.

Queensland Fire Department Commissioner Steve Smith and Rural Fire Service Qld Deputy Chief Officer Matthew Inwood officially opened Leslie Rural Fire Brigade on Saturday, August 3rd. Photo: Jessica Klein

At the weekend the dream became a reality in a proud day for Southern Downs volunteers and their families at the opening of Leslie Rural Fire Brigade on Saturday.

Leslie Rural Fire Brigade raised $50,000 with the help of the community over a number of years, now paying it forward with a brand new station on Toolburra Plains Rd.

Mr Crowley said a great deal of respect and honour was owed to the brigade’s past volunteers for their continued efforts over two decades to make this site a reality.

Celebrations included an awards ceremony as part of Rural Fire Service Week to honour

a number of the region’s outstanding volunteers for their commitment to the service and their community.

Mr Crowley said it was an honour to help the community in their time of need, with the station and new appliance the brigades way of giving back to their supporters.

RFSQ Assistant Chief Officer Wayne Waltisbuhl, Fire and Rescue Assistant Commissioner David Hermann, QFD Commissioner Steve Smith with the award recipients during Rural Fire Service Week at Leslie Rural Fire Brigade on Saturday, August 3rd. Photo: Jessica Klein

The newly re-established Queensland Fire Department and its governance of the Rural Fire Service has brought positive changes for the volunteer brigade.

Leslie Rural Fire Brigade chairman Rod Kelly said the upgraded equipment came with a sigh of relief.

“The equipment and safety gear is just first class, and nothing is left to chance,” he said.

“We’re not in the situation where the pump won’t start or similar.

“It’s come quite a long way to what it (the RFSQ) has been in the past.”

As for the future of Rural Fire Service Queensland, both men hoped the service would double in volunteers.

Leslie Rural Fire Brigade officially opened to round out Rural Fire Service Week on Saturday, August 3rd. Photo: Jessica Klein

“Without (the RFSWQ) things can be destroyed (and) in a matter of moments,” Mr Kelly said.

If you’d like to help out the brigade, newly appointed first officer Josh Williams said they will always welcome donations of bottled water and non-perishables.

Mr Williams said his crew is prepped and ready for what’s looking to be another huge fire season.

Anyone interested in volunteering is encouraged to contact their local rural fire brigade or can head to the Rural Fire Service Queensland website.

SOUTHERN DOWNS’ VOLUNTEERS RECOGNISED

• Jim Mitchell, National Medal 1st, 2nd and 3rd Clasp

Dalveen Rural Fire Brigade volunteer firefighter Jim Mitchell was awarded a National Medal 1st, 2nd and 3rd Clasps during Rural Fire Service Week on Saturday, August 3rd. Photo: Jessica Klein

• Ross McCorquodale, National Medal and National Medal 1st Clasp

Dalveen Rural Fire Brigade volunteer firefighter Ross McCorquodale was awarded a National Medal and National Medal 1st Clasp during Rural Fire Service Week on Saturday, August 3rd. Photo: Jessica Klein

• David Parsons, National Medal

Gladfield Maryvale volunteer rural firefighter David Parsons was awarded a National Medal in recognition of his diligent service during Rural Fire Service Week on Saturday, August 3rd. Photo: Jessica Klein

• David Wills, National Medal

Dalveen Rural Fire Brigade fifth officer David Wills was awarded a National Medal for his diligent service during Rural Fire Service Week on Saturday, August 3rd. Photo: Jessica Klein

• Geoffrey Davenport, QFES Medal

Applethorpe Rural Fire Brigade fourth officer Geoffrey Davenport was awarded a QFES Medal in recognition of his prolonged commitment to ethical standards, personal integrity and diligent service during Rural Fire Service Week on Saturday, August 3rd. Photo: Jessica Klein

• Stephen Oliver, QFES Medal

Severnlea West Rural Fire Brigade first officer Stephen Oliver was awarded a QFEs medal for his prolonged diligent and ethical service during Rural Fire Service Week on Saturday, August 3rd. Photo: Jessica Klein

• Garry Tutt, posthumous QFES Medal

Sugarloaf Rural Fire Brigade former crew leader Garry Tutt received a Posthumous QFES Medal, accepted by his daughter Nikki, for his diligent and ethical service during Rural Fire Service Week on Saturday, August 3rd. Photo: Jessica Klein

• Colin Chapman, Mallow RFB, National Medal and National Medal 1st Clasp (not present at ceremony)

• Andrew Ferrier, Mallow RFB, National Medal and National Medal 1st Clasp (not present at ceremony)

• John Ursem, Dalveen RFB, National Medal (not present at ceremony)

• Walter Sweet, Mallow RFB, National Medal and National Medal 1st Clasp (not present at ceremony)

• Nicholas Hese, Severnlea West RFB, National Medal 2nd Clasp and DESM 2nd Clasp (not present at ceremony)

• Scott Cobon, Sugarloaf RFB, QFES Medal (not present at ceremony)

• James Lowther, Sugarloaf RFB, QFES Medal (not present at ceremony)

• Frederick McCann, Allora District RFB, National Medal 1st and 2nd Clasp

A number of Allora's rural and urban firefighters were awarded during Rural Fire Service Week at the recommissioned Allora facility on Saturday, August 3rd. (From left) RFSQ deputy chief officer Matthew Inwood, Frederick McCann, Andrew Peterson, Matthew Heslin, Ross Williams, Geoffrey Pitstock, QFD commissioner Steve Smith and FRS assistant commissioner David Hermann. Photo: Jessica Klein

Commemorations continued into the afternoon in Allora where a second ceremony was held to recognise both volunteer and urban firefighters for their outstanding contributions.

Included in the momentous event was the handover of the recommissioned Allora facility and Rural Fire Service appliance at the shared site.

URBAN FIREFIGHTERS RECOGNISED

• Matthew Heslin, former Auxiliary Firefighter Allora QFR Station, National Medal

• Ross Williams, Captain Allora QFR Station, QFES Medal

• Andrew Petersen, Auxiliary Firefighter Allora QFR Station, QFES Medal

• Geoffrey Pitstock, Auxiliary Lieutenant Allora QFR Station, Assistant Commissioner’s Certificate of Appreciation

Originally published as Leslie Rural Fire Brigade celebrates station opening as Southern Downs’ rural firefighters honoured