Tributes flow for RFS volunteers Blake Skinner, Peter Clark

The two men have been described as standout advocates for the community, and both would have celebrated service milestones this week.

L-R: Tyringham Brigade member Peter Clark, 72, and Grafton City deputy captain Blake Skinner, 38, died earlier this month.

The Clarence Valley RFS community is reeling from the loss of two of its members in recent days.

Grafton City deputy captain Blake Skinner, 38, and Tyringham Brigade member Peter Clark, 72, died earlier this month.

Clarence Valley Rural Fire Service district manager Stuart Watts paid tribute to the two men, describing both of them as standout advocates for the communities they served.

“Blake was quite a robust sort of person who was a champion of a person,” he said.

“He cared about his crew, his family and his community.”

This week Mr Skinner would have celebrated 23 years with the service, having joined on October 27, 1998.

“When he joined up, he was taken under the wing of Ian and Sue Steele,” Mr Watts said.

“They nurtured him through the brigade which I think gave Blake the direction in life to be the fantastic person he became because he made such a positive impact in the organisation ever since.”

Mr Skinner’s experience ranged from being a field officer, senior deputy captain for three years, captain for two years, to more recently deputy captain for Grafton City Brigade.

Extremely saddened 💔 to advise of the sudden passing of Grafton City Deputy Captain, Blake Skinner.Blake was a loveable...

Posted by NSW RFS - Clarence Valley District on Saturday, October 23, 2021

“He took responsibility on as a challenge and he did it exceptionally well,” Mr Watts said.

“He was also quite active in promoting the organisation; he and a few other members of his brigade attended the State Championships where they made the district proud.”

Tyringham Brigade member Peter Clark would have also celebrated 11 years with the service this week, having joined on October 26, 2010.

“Peter was quite active in the Tyringham community and did a lot of work for the brigade,” Mr Watts said.

“He was an electrician by trade and donated a lot of his time and skills toward them in addition to multiple other agencies and organisations he had joined.”

Mr Watts said he once shared a fireground with Mr Clark.

“We went to a fire together and, watching Peter work, watching this guy run around the bush chasing the head of a fire, it made me realise that’s why I’m in an office,” Mr Watts laughed.

Earlier this year, Mr Watts, along with Tyringham Brigade captain Darren Wykes, group captain Darin Carter and NSW RFS Commissioner Rob Rogers, paid a special visit to Mr Clark’s home to present him with Life Membership.

“It was a really special time and we were grateful that the Commissioner took time out of his busy schedule to make the trip for Peter,” Mr Watts said.