David Brown (FENZ) and Guy Whitaker
Fires can break out at any time, even during an event honouring long-serving firefighters.
LtoR Neville King (Ōtorohanga fire chief), Guy Whitaker, Stephen Andrew, David Brown (FENZ), Stuart Reed, Ricky Hodge (APFBA), Ngahuia Sheedy, Hayden Sheedy (Te Kūiti fire chief) and Lesina Walden (UFBA)
It’s why some Te Kūiti Volunteer Fire Brigade members stepped out from the event at the Les Munro Centre on Saturday.
“Ōtorohanga Fire Brigade was covering for us, but after they went off to a call, we had another call, so some of our guys had to race off,” deputy fire chief Guy Whitaker told The News.
“But they were back fairly quickly so they didn’t miss too much.”
Phil New & Lesina Walden (UFBA)
Awards were presented by Fire and Emergency NZ and the United Fire Brigades Association in association with the Auckland Provincial Fire Brigades Association.
Phil New and Darren King received certificates for 40 years’ service and four, including Whitaker, were presented with gold stars for 25 years in uniform.
“It’s highly regarded to receive a gold star,” Whitaker said. “I don’t know for sure, but I don’t think any other brigade in New Zealand has had four people awarded gold stars all on the same night.”
In addition to Whitaker, the gold star recipients were Ngahuia ‘Muffy’ Sheedy, wife of brigade chief Hayden Sheedy, Stuart Reed and Stephen Andrew.
Gold stars are bestowed for good conduct in addition to long service. Although the percentage varies, about five per cent of New Zealand firefighters pass the 25-year milestone.
Darren King (centre) with his wife Lynette (left) and Lesina Walden (UFBA)
The brigade now has eight gold star recipients in total from an overall crew of 24.
Phil New, a former Te Kūiti fire chief and VJ Williams and Sons’ managing director was grateful to receive his 40-year certificate.
“It’s an individual award, but it’s actually more about the team,” New said. “It was great to be there for others, celebrating their achievements too, to see the younger or newer people get their awards.”
New’s fellow 40-year certificate recipient, Darren King, was similarly grateful to mark a major milestone.
“It was a wonderful evening to share with friends and family,” he said. “Almost 15 years ago, I shared another awesome occasion with Phil when we were awarded our gold stars – back then there was only 50 years of service between us, now we’re close to 100 and there’s another 100 between the four who now have their gold stars.”
The brigade is a family to its members, New said.
“We’ve been to each other’s weddings and our children have grown up together – the brigade is like an extension to our families, so an achievement for one of us is like an achievement for us all.”
As volunteers, Whitaker, New, King and their comrades are all well known in the Te Kūiti community.
“We do it all for our community,” King said. “That’s really where it all begins and ends, with our community.”
Other Te Kūiti firefighters recognised included Wayne Pooley – 14-year long service medal, Roger Burt – 21-year clasp and Dee Bradley and Jess Bentham – three-year service certificates.
David Brown (FENZ) and Guy Whitaker
