By Russell Bennett
FOUR Olinda firefighters have received one of Australia’s highest service honours, the National Medal – but don’t call them heroes.
Brigade captain Steve Donner, former captains Geoff Rowell and John Faull and lieutenant Phil Skiller accepted their medals on 19 November at The Ivy in Belgrave.
A packed room sat in awe listening to the men’s service histories.
Each had to contribute at least 15 years’ diligent service to be eligible for the award. Between them, the four men have so far dedicated more than 120 years of their lives to volunteer firefighting.
“I look back on my time and there aren’t too many Wednesday nights that I wouldn’t have been up at the station in my 21 years,” Mr Donner, 40, said.
“It is a massive commitment, but we know that.”
Mr Donner said the award “probably hadn’t hit home to any of us yet.”
“It was such a big build-up (to the award) and it’s an absolute honour,” he said.
“These aren’t just handed out. The criteria is quite strict.”
Streeton Ward councillor and long-time Olinda Rural Fire Brigade member Noel Cliff said it was a major effort.
“All four of them have worked so hard. It’s a very well-earned community acknowledgement,” he said.
“These guys are turning out all the time – in the middle of the night, interrupting meals and kids’ birthday parties.
“We need more young guys coming through the ranks because these guys (the national medallists) can teach you the basics.”
Cr Cliff said the combined experience of the four men was “just amazing stuff”.
Olinda brigade members sent the men’s nominations for region headquarters approval before the chief officer could examine and endorse them.
“It’s the highest civilian volunteer honour a person can receive,” Mr Donner said.
“The award is really icing on the cake for my 21 years of volunteering.
“It’s not something we, as volunteers, expect. We hate the word ‘hero’.
“We’re not heroes when we go out and save lives and property. We just do what we signed on for. “We’re here because we love it and love helping our community.”
Mr Donner’s commitment to the hills area was never more obvious than during Black Saturday.
“I managed a rotation of crews,” he said. There was a reason for that – I chose not to respond (to Kinglake), not to leave the mountain.
“There would be nothing worse than Olinda burning and the captain is up at Kinglake.”
Mr Donner never planned to put forward his name for the award, but his comrades encouraged him.
“I didn’t want to be put up against Johnny Faull,” he said.
While Mr Donner had been a part of the Olinda brigade for 21 years, Mr Faull had been involved for 50. “Fifty years! He should have stood up on his own and been that recipient but they all said ‘No, you deserve it too’.”
