Nyngan fire captain named in Queen's Birthday Honours
Published: 12th June 2017
A Fire & Rescue NSW (FRNSW) Captain’s long and dedicated service in responding to emergency events in the Murrurundi and Nyngan communities has been recognised in today’s Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
Nyngan Captain Robert Avard, a second-generation firefighter who has served with FRNSW for more than 36 years, has been awarded the Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM).
The AFSM is the highest honour an Australian firefighter can receive and Captain Avard is one of four FRNSW firefighters to be awarded the prestigious medal in today’s honours.
FRNSW Commissioner Paul Baxter congratulated Captain Avard, of Nyngan, on the much-deserved recognition.
“Captain Avard followed in his father's footsteps by joining FRNSW in November 1980. He has shown great commitment to serving the Murrurundi and Nyngan communities as a firefighter and in leadership roles responding to emergency events,” he said.
Serving as Deputy Captain at both Murrurundi Fire Station and Nyngan Fire Station, Captain Avard was promoted to the position of Captain at Nyngan in 2005.
His previous experience as a General Land Rescue Operator enabled him to take on a leadership role for his fellow firefighters at Nyngan when the Brigade became the Road Crash and Rescue Unit for the local area.
Commissioner Baxter said Captain Avard’s passion and dedication to building better communities is confirmed by the high regard in which he is held by Nyngan firefighters and the community.
“He has also spread his influence to other regional NSW areas while travelling for his primary employment, attending drills at other fire stations, sharing skills and responding with those stations to emergency incidents,” he said.
In addition to his role with FRNSW, Captain Avard has also held the position of Captain within the Volunteer Rescue Association.
Commissioner Baxter said Captain Avard has displayed distinguished service of the highest order and is a most deserving recipient of this Queen’s Birthday Honour.
Captain Avard will be presented with his AFSM at a ceremony at Government House in Sydney later this year.