Millenium of service recognised at VICSES Hume Region event

12/06/2025, 2:40 AM

A cohort of Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) volunteers from the service’s Hume Region have been recognised for their commitment to their communities, with more than 1,000 years of combined service celebrated at a recent ceremony.

Volunteers boasting between five and 55 years of VICSES experience recently gathered in Benalla alongside their families and fellow VICSES volunteers and staff, receiving long service and national medals acknowledging their persistent dedication to their local communities.

VICSES Alexandra Unit volunteer and VICSES founding member David Fitzroy was acknowledged for more than 55 years of volunteer service, flanked by Acting Assistant Chief Officer Di Batley and VICSES Acting Chief Officer Operations Alistair Drayton.

Some 15 volunteers received long-service awards denoting more than 20 years of active VICSES service, with Alexandra Unit member and VICSES founding member David Fitzroy the longest-tenured in attendance, celebrating 55 years of volunteer experience.

David joined Civil Defence before the service transitioned to become known as VICSES in 1975, and was joined by fellow VICSES founding members Ian Sinclair (Beechworth – 50 years and National Medal), Keith Barns (Euroa) and Peter Weeks ESM (Alexandra) in being acknowledged on the day, with the latter trio awarded the National Medal (3rd clasp) for outstanding service to their communities over more than 45 years.

Christine Jewell (Wodonga) and Colin Croxford (Benalla) were each also celebrated for the vital role they’ve played in their communities for more than 45 years, while Mary Aldrich (Tallangatta – 40 years) and Debbie Dowell (Euroa – 30 years) were honoured for their decades of continued service.

A further 19 volunteers and staff received long-service awards denoting between five and 25 years of VICSES involvement, while 11 were awarded the National Medal.

VICSES Beechworth Unit volunteer Ian Sinclair was the recipient of a National Medal (3rd clasp) and a long-service award recognising 50 years of VICSES service.

Awarded to members who have demonstrated 15 years of exemplary service to their community, with clasps denoting each decade of service thereafter, the National Medal is nominated by the service’s Chief Officer and ratified by the Governor General.

Building on his long-service medal, Benalla Unit volunteer and former Controller Colin Croxford rounded out a quartet of National Medal 3rd clasp recipients on the day, celebrating his decades of leadership and committed service.

 VICSES Wangaratta Unit stalwart Frances Whitehead was also awarded a 2nd clasp denoting 35 years of service to the local community, while Lisa Wise (Wodonga) and Judith Blakeney (Alexandra) received a 1st clasp.

The outstanding service of Diane Farmer (Wangaratta), Roger Farrell (Rutherglen), Graham Milner (Benalla) and Brett Reddy (Yackandandah) was also recognised, with each celebrated with a National Medal for the first time.

Quotes attributable to Di Batley, VICSES Acting Assistant Chief Officer

“VICSES is fortunate to have a volunteer-base with such a diverse range of experience as first responders within the Hume Region, who give so much back to their communities.

“To gather and celebrate the more than 1,000 years of volunteer service this particular cohort has given to the region was a special opportunity, with each member having played an important role in VICSES’ 50-year history.”