By Lachlan Ellis<\/p>\n
Over 200 National Emergency Medals have been presented to CFA members from the Ballarat area, with dozens of those awarded being from Moorabool Shire.<\/p>\n
The National Emergency Medal (NEM) recognises significant or sustained service to others in a nationally significant Australian emergency \u2013 in the case of those awarded on Sunday 30 April, the 2019\/20 bushfires.<\/p>\n
At ceremonies held at Ballarat, Horsham and Stawell, members from CFA\u2019s West Region became the latest of more than 5,500 CFA members to receive the honour for the 2019-2020 fires.<\/p>\n
CFA Board Members Peter Shaw and Dawn Hartog presented the medals and said they were an important recognition of the valiant efforts of CFA members.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe National Emergency Medal is a formal recognition that Australia appreciates the efforts and contributions of CFA members during the 2019-2020 bushfire crisis,\u201d they said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is a great honour to receive this medal and we hope it goes a small way to thanking our members for their service.\u201d<\/p>\n
CFA Deputy Chief Officer Brett Boatman spoke of his pride for the CFA members\u2019 efforts.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe 2019\/2020 fires devastated East Gippsland and the North East of Victoria,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut from that crisis arose the most remarkable human spirit of generosity and \u2018lending a hand\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur medal recipients have exemplified that spirit, and I am incredibly proud of each and every one of them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sebastopol Fire Brigade Captain Steve Burgess was Master of Ceremonies, as well as being a medal recipient himself, and said it was an honour to be formally recognised.<\/p>\n
\u201cCFA volunteers aren\u2019t paid for their firefighting efforts, and we are only able to respond to major incidents for extended periods of time with the support of our employers, and of course the support of our families,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
In a ceremony held on 30 April, 49 NEM recipients belonged to brigades within Moorabool Shire.<\/p>\n
For privacy reasons, the CFA could not provide a full list of the NEM recipients.<\/p>\n