Adam Bishop (left) is Warrnambool’s firefighter of the year for the second time, while Keidan Dawson won the encouragement award.
The Waves Fundraising ball at the Civic Green Marquee Warrnambool.Pictured Susan Brown, Yvonne Baudinette, Doreen McCosh and Jenny Katsaros.120714AM126 Picture: ANGELA MILNE
Adam Bishop (left) is Warrnambool s firefighter of the year for the second time, while Keidan Dawson won the encouragement award. 120715LP01 Picture: LEANNE PICKETT
YOUNG firefighting volunteers have been awarded for their commitment to the Warrnambool CFA and local community after a busy summer and fire season.
The Warrnambool Fire Brigade released its 2011-2012 annual report on Saturday and made special presentations to award recipients.
Lieutenant Adam Bishop, 22, was named the Warrnambool brigade's firefighter of the year, while volunteer firefighter Keidan Dawson, 18, received an encouragement award.
Mr Bishop first won the award as an 18-year-old volunteer in 2008 and was recently made a lieutenant at the Warrnambool station.
Firefighting runs in the Bishop family's blood the Warrnambool builder's father and brother are also volunteers, while his grandfather Bill Pressey has volunteered at the Mortlake Urban Fire Brigade for 57 years.
"He was a big influence because pretty much my whole family has done it as well my father and brother," he told The Standard.
"We would go there as kids and spend time at the station. It's a bit of a family thing."
Mr Bishop has also been imparting his fire safety knowledge to younger volunteers as a junior coach at the brigade.
"I'm still learning some things myself, but it's good to be able to pass on the knowledge I've gained.
"It's good to teach some leadership and experience from that, especially with state championships coming up next year in Warrnambool as part of the brigade's 150th celebrations."
Mr Dawson, 18, has been with the brigade since he was 11 years old and has been an active firefighter for the past two years.
The full-time security officer said he hoped to join emergency services staff in the future.
"I love the fire brigade and love helping people," he said.
"We were kept busy with all the Koroit fires, pretty much all summer.
"You don't expect people to do things like that it's a pretty low act and puts people's lives at risk, but that's what we're there for."