Northern Territory Fire and Rescue Services' volunteer firefighter Claire Peberdy recognised for 15 years of service

Firefighting is somewhat of a family tradition for Alice Springs-born Claire Peberdy, who was recently recognised for 15 years of service as a volunteer firefighter. Find out why.

Alice Springs born firefighter Claire Peberdy. Picture: Supplied.

Firefighting is somewhat of a family tradition for Claire Peberdy.

It first started with her father, a career firefighter who she has always looked up to.

Then she met her husband, Chris, a long-time volunteer firefighter, years later.

So, it was clear to her a life in the service was inescapable – not that she had any issues with that, though.

“When my husband and I got married, the Howard Springs Volunteer Brigade basically handed me its membership application form and said ‘Well … come be involved in the fun and excitement’, so that’s what I did,” said Ms Peberdy, who was born in Alice Springs.

Claire Peberdy and her husband, Chris. Picture: Supplied.

It’s been almost 16 years since then, and the now mother-of-two has loved every minute of it.

Ms Peberdy joins a number of Northern Territory Fire and Rescue Service volunteers who have recently been recognised for their service.

Steve Russell was recognised for 15 years of service; David Wheeler, 10 years; and Andrew Turton, Jacob Newbery, Michael Taylor, Ronald Owen, Scott Healey and William Speed, five years.

Northern Command Outstanding Firefighter for 2024 was also recently awarded to Koolpinyah Brigade Captain, Darren Easton, and Blake Harris-Jacobs received an award for Outstanding Service for boosting Batchelor brigade numbers from zero to seven members.

Ms Peberdy, a nurse by profession, said the most rewarding part of firefighting was “giving back” to the community.

Ms Peberdy said service was about giving back to others. Picture: Supplied.

“Being in Howard Springs and living my whole life in the Northern Territory, it’s about giving back what others have given to us,” she said.

“I’ve been to everything from bushfires and grass fires that we have here in the Top End; house and structure fires where we’ve assisted and helped with the permanent firefighters; road crash accidents along the highway; flood deployments and more.”

But giving back, Ms Peberdy said, wasn’t just limited to frontline work.

Even when she was many months pregnant, the passionate firefighter found a way to lend a hand.

Volunteering was not just limited to frontline service, Ms Peberdy said. Picture: Supplied.

“There’s also fundraising, communications, training juniors; those kind of things,” she said.

However, most importantly, Ms Peberdy hoped she could be a role model for her two girls.

“I’d like to think they’re proud of me,” she said.

“Maybe they’ll see I was brave in trying something new and outside of my skill set, and they’ll do the same one day.

“I hope they look at me and think, ‘If Mum can do it, I can do it too’.”

Originally published as Northern Territory Fire and Rescue Services' volunteer firefighter Claire Peberdy recognised for 15 years of service