Ferntree Gully
Belgrave
Mail Covering the Dandenongs in the Yarra Ranges & Cardinia Shires
5
Les's trip down memory lane
Tuesday, 13 November, 2018
Remembrance Day
8-11
A Mail News Group publication
34-35
Best in local sport
Phone: 5957 3700 Trades and Classifieds: 1300 666 808
Lost for words By Casey Neill Upper Ferntree Gully Fire Brigade Captain Peter Smith was speechless after receiving his 45-year service medal - a rarity, anyone who's met him would attest. "I am lucky enough to have all my family here tonight," he said, choking back tears. "To my wife Meredith, thank you very much." It was among many emotional moments at the CFA crew's annual dinner at the Upper Ferntree Gully Cricket Club on Saturday 10 November. Five other volunteer firefighters received service awards alongside Capt Smith - Mark Goodchild 30 years, Craig Waters 20, Andrew Ritchie 15, and Tom Hooper and Matt Lean five each. They'd served 120 years between them. Rod Clarke and Darren Johnson received National Medals for their diligent service and Darren's daughter, Amber, was named Best First Year Firefighter. The Mail spoke to the 17-year-old Mater Christi College student back in August. "When they started the juniors program I was straight on it," she said. "Then I just started from there and kept going." The Firefighter of the Year nod went to Daniel Abraham for his "unbelievable" work ethic, and Dylan Knowles took home the Utility Fire Fighter award.
Captain Peter Smith receives his 45-year service award.
Sign-writing couple Michael and Karen Frawley were made brigade life members for their support, and received a replica of an old brigade pumper. "What you do around the station, you might think it's frivolous but it's not," Capt Smith said. "We love you to bits and thank you very much." A gobsmacked Mr Frawley said he used to be a brigade member. "We're self-employed so we give our time back to the community," he said. "We sign write their trucks and honour boards and stickers for their helmets." Montrose 10-year-old Mia presented the brigade with a cheque for $2200, which she raised at a trivia night last month. Capt Smith in turn presented her with a trophy and thanks for her efforts. The night also included a video documenting a string of incidents that rocked the brigade 10 years ago, including losing a member in a house fire. "We fought that house fire. We cried at that house fire," Capt Smith said. They lost a truck to flames while fighting a fire in Birdsland Reserve two weeks after Black Saturday. Capt Smith and two other crew members were lucky to survive. "We were down. We got back up," he said.
Death rocks cops S/TMAXX
STTPRO
A/T3
Heavy Duty All-Terrain 50% ROAD & SAND 80% DIRT & MUD
Super Traction Tyre 20% ROAD & SAND 80% DIRT & MUD
All-Terrain 70% ROAD & SAND 30% DIRT & MUD
PICK UP 4WD
MILEAGE WARRANTY UP TO 80,000KM
PICK UP
4WD
THE LATEST GENERATION MOST ADVANCED MUD TYRE
12330988-RC46-16
FERNTREE GULLY 9758 9288 1158 Burwood Hwy (towards Belgrave)
Auto Service Centres
has a service for you...
or their immediate families require assistance, they can call a 24-hour welfare service line on 9247 3344. Members of the community can call Lifeline on 131 114 or beyondblue on 1300 22 4636 for help.
SUV PICK UP 4WD
MILEAGE WARRANTY UP TO 90,000KM
Widetread are Authorised Dealer for...
Ultra Tune
It is understood the police officer was not on duty at the time. The tragedy has rocked the tight-knit police community in the Dandenong Ranges and a colleague said it was a sad loss to the Belgrave and wider policing family. If any current or former police employees
20% OFF your next service on presentation of this ad
• • • • •
• Changeover auto transmissions • Front wheel drive transaxles • Electronic transmission diagnostics
• Differentials • All mechanical repairs and servicing • Manual transmissions • Quality workmanship 76 Main Street, Upwey, VIC 3158 Ph: 9754 7533 Fax: 9754 7833 David and Lisa Clark
Complete vehicle servicing Manufacturer’s handbook service Major and minor mechanical repairs Brake service and repairs 4 x 4 Specialist
• • • • •
Roadworthy Inspections Shock absorbers EFI Diagnostics Free 24 hour roadside recovery Courtesy cars available
Cnr Burwood Hwy & Fitzgerald St, Ferntree Gully Vic 3156 Email: ferntreegull@ultratune.com.au
Phone: 9758 5140
12377507-4-18
Police members in the Dandenongs are mourning the loss of a close friend and colleague from the Belgrave Police Station. Police are investigating and preparing a report for the coroner following the death of the
leading senior constable at the Olinda Police Station on the morning of Friday 9 November. The death is not being treated as suspicious. The Olinda station was closed over the weekend, following the discovery, but reopened on Monday 12 November.
12401740-SN43-18
By Derek Schlennstedt