By Shamsiya Hussainpoor
A dedicated firefighting family from Olinda has been honoured for their years of service to the community at the CFA’s annual awards ceremony on Friday 8 November.
The Heading family has been actively involved in firefighting for decades, with five members now serving the Olinda CFA – marking over 100 years of combined service.
Phil Heading, who started with the CFA in 1983, received his 40-year life membership badge at the event on Friday night.
“I think the biggest highlight has been seeing my family all get involved and carry on this important work,” Phil said.
“As long as we can stay active, we’ll keep going. When we’re no longer on the fire ground, we’ll still be involved in community education or other CFA roles.”
He began as an active firefighter following the devastating Ash Wednesday bushfires and has since contributed his expertise and leadership to the brigade.
“The day after the Ash Wednesday bushfire hit, my colleague Jeanie came to work looking absolutely devastated, her eyes red and swollen from crying,” Phil said.
“We all knew she lived in Upper Beaconsfield. Someone, probably out of kindness, told her, “You should go home.” Jeanie responded in pain, “But I don’t have a home – it burned down in the fire.” That moment really stuck with me.”
Phil’s commitment to the CFA has also inspired other family members to join, creating a multi-generational legacy of service.
His son, Peter Heading, was recognised with two prestigious awards – Firefighter of the Year and the Jack Ernie Award for Outstanding Contribution.
Peter, who’s been with the CFA since he was 16, is now the acting captain.
He’s spent almost 30 years working alongside his father, and his achievements really show the family’s strong dedication to firefighting and helping the community.
The youngest member of the Heading family, 17-year-old grandson Sam, was awarded Best Junior Member for his efforts as a new recruit to Olinda’s CFA.
The 17-year-old joined the brigade as a junior firefighter and continues to follow in the footsteps of his family, showing promise for future leadership in the service.
Phil spoke about the influence of growing up in a fire-prone area like Olinda, where awareness of the dangers of bushfires is constant.
“My motivation to join the CFA stemmed from my own childhood experience of being trapped in a bushfire at just eight years old, and seeing what Jeanie went through,” he said.
“That early experience, along with witnessing the impact of bushfires on my community, really strengthened my desire to learn how to help fight fires.”
While the Heading family’s service is a source of immense pride, it has not come without its challenges.
“The mental resilience required to be a firefighter, especially after surviving being trapped in multiple bushfires over the years, including a near miss during a fire in New South Wales in 1997,” Phil said.
“For me, staying committed to firefighting is about community spirit, training, and a sense of duty.”
Phil’s dedication to the CFA, alongside his family’s continued commitment, shows how a legacy of service can span generations.
Whether it’s putting out fires or educating the community about fire safety, the Heading family remains a cornerstone of Olinda’s firefighting efforts, and their contribution will continue for many years to come.
With more than a century of service between them, the Heading family is a strong reminder of the selfless volunteers who step up to protect their communities in times of crisis.
