Ken Carlton: Awards Presentations (20/04/2024)
CFA Life Membership
This evening Firefighter Ken Carlton was awarded CFA Life Membership in recognition of his ongoing commitment to CFA, over many years, through his work with Buxton fire brigade.
There is little about Ken’s early life in the Buxton history book, apart from saying he has lived in Buxton all his life except for five years when he trained as a diesel mechanic in Melbourne. Although, he appears in a 1962 Buxton Primary School photo and, as a 15 year old, is described as helping to drive his uncle’s truck when “outside of town”. Ken is still driving trucks and regularly takes our tankers on their service runs.
He was just 16 when he joined the Brigade in 1969 and has accrued an enviable length of service of over 46 years. During this time Ken has also served as a 3rd Lieutenant, regularly attending training and meetings as well as contributing towards Station maintenance and other Brigade activities.
For many years, before his recent retirement from the forestry industry, Ken was one of those people who helped keep us safe on the fireground with the provision of heavy machinery so firebreaks could be built and dangerous trees removed. Ken brings his knowledge of machinery and heavy vehicles back to the brigade to assist with training our firefighters.
Ken remains an operational member of the brigade and still responds whenever he is able. More recently, he has been assisting the Brigade with training our newer members to become Heavy Vehicle drivers.
We would also like to acknowledge the tremendous effort that Linda has contributed to the community, including being a volunteer at the Ops Shop in Marysville for nearly 30 years.
Ken was awarded Brigade Life Membership in October 2019 and tonight he is presented his 45 years CFA Service Medal along with CFA Life Membership.
Ken Carlton is a worthy recipient of CFA Life Membership.
Second Clasp to the National Medal
Earlier in the evening, when Ken was bestowed with CFA Life Membership, details of his history and dedicated service to the Buxton Fire Brigade and the wider Triangle area was outlined.
With over 46 years of service to the CFA at present, earlier tonight Ken was presented with his 45 years CFA Service Medal.
Ken was first awarded the National Medal in 2019 when he received the National Medal complete with First Clasp; recognising 25 years of long and distinguished service to the people of Australia.
With more than 45 years of long and distinguished service to the people of Australia, you might ask “why not the Third Clasp”? And that would be a very good question that the brigade’s management team is trying to get answered. Without detracting from tonight’s awards, we will strive to ensure members are properly recognised for the service they give to us.
Tonight, we continue to correct the record and present Ken’s second clasp.
Ken Carlton a worthy recipient of the Second Clasp to the National Medal.
