Brian Worcester: Awards Presentations (20/04/2024)
Brigade Life Membership
This evening, long term brigade member Firefighter Brian Worcester was honoured with Life Membership of Buxton Fire Brigade.
Similar to John Metcalf, the Buxton history book tells the story of Brian Worcester.
His story opens with the line “I was born in 1948”. It too is a compelling read in which Brian tells his story growing up between Narbethong and Buxton. Brian’s parents moved to Buxton in 1944, although Brian says “our address was officially Narbethong, but we always gravitated to Buxton for everything – post office, store, school, and social events”.
He doesn’t mention the fire brigade as such but there is a strong Buxton theme throughout his contribution to the history book; including primary school and sports. There is a photo of a very dashing young Brian at a debutante ball shortly before he joined the brigade in 1969.
Since joining CFA, Brian has always been an operational member of the brigade – he remains a very active operational member today. He has over 54 years of experience as a firefighter and driver and routinely assists with the maintenance of the station, and attending training and meetings.
In 2016, Jenny and Brian relocated to a smaller property on the Marysville Road on the Narbethong side of the Acheron River at Granton. Brian is currently responding to directly to the Narbethong station to help them to respond. This is of great assistance to our colleagues at Narbethong.
This is just another way that Brian is supporting the Triangle community. In addition to his operational role, Brian can be relied upon to assist at community events, especially when there is a BBQ to be attended to.
We are very fortunate to have Brian as a member of our brigade and he is a worthy recipient of Life Membership of Buxton Fire Brigade.
CFA Life Membership
This evening, in addition to being honoured with Brigade Life Membership, Firefighter Brian Worcester was recognised for his ongoing commitment to CFA, over many years, as a member of Buxton Fire Brigade.
Brian’s dedicated service to the Buxton Fire Brigade, and the wider Triangle area, was acknowledged earlier in the evening when he was presented with Brigade Life Membership.
With over 54 years of service to the CFA at present, he received his 50 year CFA Service Medal in 2022 and is a recipient of the National Medal with 2nd Clasp which was awarded to him in 2019.
Brian also holds the National Emergency Medal for his efforts in helping to protect our community during the devastating 2009 Victorian Bushfires.
The National Emergency Medal is awarded to those people who render sustained or significant service during nationally-significant emergencies in Australia.
Brian is a stalwart of Buxton Fire Brigade and the management team felt he should immediately be nominated for CFA Life Membership.
Brian Worcester a worthy recipient of CFA Life Membership.
Third Clasp to the National Medal
Earlier in the evening, when Brian was bestowed with Brigade Life Membership and CFA Life Membership, details of Brian Worcester’s history and dedicated service to the Buxton Fire Brigade was outlined, including Brian actively assisting Narbethong brigade’s response capability due to the proximity of his home to Narbethong.
With over 54 years of service to the CFA at present, he received his 50 years CFA Service Medal in 2022.
Brian was first awarded a National Medal in 2019 when he received the National Medal complete with First and Second Clasps.
Brian should have had the third clasp presented back in 2019 but, once again, CFA’s records were mixed up and, unfortunately, Brian was only recognised with the Second Clasp back in 2019.
In fact, with his records corrected, Brian will qualify for the Forth Clasp in August this year.
This evening, we are proud to correct the previous error with the presentation of the Third Clasp to the National Medal in proper recognition of Brian’s continued long and diligent service to the people of Australia.
Brian Worcester is a worthy recipient of Third Clasp to the National Medal.
