AS a child, Kenneth Heddle was never too far from the flashing lights, sirens and blaring horns of a fire truck.<\/p>\n
At the time of his passing in late 2020, the then 75-year-old had served 59 years with the CFA and has this week been honoured with a Medal of the Order of Australia.<\/p>\n
His wife, Carol, remembered her late husband of 34 years as a no fuss but caring man who would\u2019ve accepted the honour humbly.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019d probably be proud of himself, but he was very humble. He was an old type of gentleman, and he was very appreciative,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf he had to make a speech, it would have only been about six words and that\u2019s it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Heddle first joined his local station, the Werribee Fire Brigade, as an eager 15-year-old keen to serve his community.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe lived a block away from the Werribee Fire Brigade and once the siren went he was out the door and down there, even as a little kid, so I\u2019ve been told. His mother used to run after him to go and get him,\u201d Ms Heddle said.<\/p>\n
In 1991, Mr Heddle was made an Honorary Life Member of the CFA and in 2015 received the Third Clasp for his National Medal.<\/p>\n
With all the makings of an emergency services veteran, he also volunteered for 22 years with Ambulance Victoria.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was kind, caring and gentle and he had a fantastic personality. That\u2019s what caught me when I first met him,\u201d Ms Heddle said.<\/p>\n
Despite his declining health, Mr Heddle continued to serve as a member of the Eaglehawk Fire Brigade when the couple downsized to Bendigo four years ago, helping around the station and training young members for the CFA\u2019s Firefighter State Championships.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe enjoyed the life that he had,\u201d Ms Heddle said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
AS a child, Kenneth Heddle was never too far from the flashing lights, sirens and blaring horns of a fire truck. At the time of his passing in late 2020, the then 75-year-old had served 59 years with the CFA and has this week been honoured with a Medal of the Order of Australia. His […]<\/p>\n