Among these were 10 members of Jamberoo Rural Fire Brigade, who were presented with medals for service to the Jamberoo community through their work with the fire brigade. 

This adds to the list of nine Jamberoo members who were awarded Long Service Medals last year at the 75th anniversary of the brigade.

This time around, the Jamberoo brigade had seven National Medals and three long Service Medals.

The recipients were: John Downes (51 years), Barry Rutledge (50 years), John Fry (47 years), Craig Harris (34 years), Bruce Grant (32 years), Mongo Delamont (29 years), Cameron McInerney (19 years), Terry Sharman (16 years), Gerard Blunden (14 years) and Bob Budd (13 years).

In total these 10 people have contributed 305 years of service to the fire brigade in Jamberoo.

All of these members have attended major ‘campaign’ fires in places such as the Blue Mountains, Narrabri, Cessnock and Putty Road, as well as more large incidents at Helensburgh, Budderoo and the Shoalhaven.

Three of these members have vivid recollections of the major fire that hit the escarpment in 1968, causing much damage close to home.

Many of these members were also involved in attacking the fire that destroyed the Jamberoo ‘Freddos’ IGA store in December 2012.

 “Each and every one of these volunteers are worthy of our most sincere thanks and I would like to personally commend them, not only for their commitment to the service, but also to their community,” RFS Assistant Commissioner Stuart Midgley said.

“It is an absolute honour to present these awards and to take a moment in which we can reflect upon the outstanding achievements of these members.”

All the members were thanked for their service by Mr Midgley, Kiama Mayor Brian Petschler and other dignitaries at the event.