Life membership for CFA legend

A BALLAN CFA member has been honoured for his thirty-five years of service, not just with the regular thirty-five-year CFA medal, but with Life Membership.

Ian Ireland said he was surprised and humbled to receive the medal at the brigade’s annual dinner, after Captain Ben Hatfield nominated him.

“I didn’t know until the night, I went there expecting to get my 35 Year badge. Every five years we get a new long service medal,” he said.

“It was very humbling. It goes hand-in-hand with my 35 years with Ambulance Victoria, 18 years of that was on-the-road community work, going out and assisting people who’d had heart attacks and that sort of thing.

“There have been some memorable moments over the years; delivering a baby, assisting with house fires and car accidents… There was an accident on Daylesford Road that involved a guy by the name of Carl Dixon.

“He’s a Canadian entertainer. His car got run over by a four-wheel drive. He was in hospital for five months. He still communicates with me probably two or three times a year.

“To think that you make friends like that, it’s great.”

When asked what he loved about being part of CFA and AV, Mr Ireland said it was the teamwork.

“It’s not about what you can get out of it, it’s what you can do to help someone in need,” he said.

“We all work together, it’s not about individuals, it’s about the team.”

Twenty-nine of Mr Ireland’s 35 years as a volunteer were as a Brigade Management Team member; the equal longest period in the brigade’s history.

He was also Group Communications Officer for 24 years, Brigade Fire Equipment Maintenance Officer for more than 15 years, and has held the role of secretary for 16 years.

“You do it because it’s for your community, and you’re helping other people,” he said. “You can’t put a value on service to the community.”

Captain Hatfield said Mr Ireland was a deserving recipient of Life Membership.

“Ian has been a reliable, resilient, compassionate, and influential leader of the brigade, group, and community for over 35 years,” he said.

“It is fantastic to see his contributions acknowledged.”