Retired Bourke fire Captain recognised in Queen's Birthday Honours
Published: 9th June 2009
Retired NSW Fire Brigades (NSWFB) Captain Cecil Robinson received the Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM) in the 2009 Queen's Birthday Honours announced yesterday.
The former Captain of Bourke Fire Station, who recently retired from the NSWFB after 36 years as a retained (on-call) firefighter, was one of five NSWFB officers awarded the AFSM yesterday, one of the highest honours an Australian firefighter can receive.
NSWFB Commissioner Greg Mullins said that since joining in September 1971, Captain Robinson had become a highly-respected member of the NSWFB.
"Captain Robinson was the leader of Bourke Fire Brigade for nearly 20 years and has demonstrated exemplary leadership and a proactive commitment to fire safety in Bourke," Commissioner Mullins said.
"He led his crew diligently and was directly responsible for influencing improvements in fire service delivery in the area by working closely with other emergency services"
Commissioner Mullins said that Captain Robinson and his crew were awarded a Unit Commendation following a major fire in the town's main shopping centre. Through his leadership and strategic management of the incident, the impact on the local community and economy was reduced.
"Over many years Captain Robinson had been proactive in delivering community education programs to schools and other community groups in Bourke," Commissioner Mullins said.
"He and his crew supported charity events like the annual Variety Bash, providing the competitors with free breakfast and using the opportunity to promote the NSWFB and fire safety messages.
"Captain Robinson is a worthy recipient of this prestigious award and I thank him for his dedication and commitment to the NSWFB."