CALM staff at Manjimup and Walpole honoured with National Medals

14/1/98

Five long-serving CALM staff at Manjimup and Walpole were honoured today with National Medals for their dedicated service in protecting Western Australians from devastating bushfires.

Presenting the medals in Manjimup today, Environment Minister Cheryl Edwardes said Chris Broadbent, Terry Court, John Evans, Ron Church and Ian Marshall had more than earned their medals with around 180 years of service between them.

Mrs Edwardes said the five were part of 45 Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM) firecrews, officers and research staff who will be awarded National Medals in CALM's Southern Forest and Goldfields Regions.

"A further 100 medals have been presented to other staff from CALM's Central and Swan forest regions, the Wheatbelt and Mid-West Regions," she said.

"Overall, this means that CALM National Medal recipients have dedicated more than 3,000 years to protecting human life, property and valuable bushland from fires."

The Minister said the National Medal and clasps were well earned by Chris Broadbent, Terry Court, John Evans, Ron Church and Ian Marshall, who had all given more than 30 years of service each to CALM's fire management and protection operations.

The National Medal was awarded for 15 years' service; clasps were presented for each subsequent 10 years' service. Awards were given to members of groups such as defence forces, police, ambulance services and fire agencies involved in protecting human life and community values.

Mrs Edwardes said a requirement for eligibility for the National Medal was that the work required great skill, risks to personal safety, dedication and long-term commitment.

"There is an expectation in the community that lives and property will be protected from natural and human-caused disasters by well-trained and disciplined emergency forces," she said.

"However, CALM fire crews do far more than suppress wildfires.

"They also are involved in nature conservation, wildlife management, tourism and recreation, timber harvesting and plantation development.

"The community therefore benefits from this wide range of expertise as CALM has integrated fire management with its other important activities."

Media contacts: Ministerial Diana Russell Coote 9421 7777

CALM Rick Sneeuwjagt 9334 0375