TWO hundred people packed the Wagin Town Hall for the Wagin Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service 100-Year Celebration dinner.
The hall was decorated in the style of last century with a decorative central wheel on the ceiling bearing streamers from three walls.
It also featured a giant screen on the stage continuously showing photographs of the history of the brigade.
Distinguished guests included Fire and Emergency Services Association (FESA) chief of operations Craig Hynes, FESA regional director Grant Olsen, WA Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service Association secretary Max Osbourne, Wagin Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service active, former and life members and their partners and community members who have actively supported the brigade.
Captain Darren Smith welcomed everyone and recognised the financial support of many people and organisations, including the Shire of Wagin, Care and Share and the Wagin Co-op in making the celebration possible.
He thanked those present for their part in getting the Wagin Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service to where it is today.
“It isn’t the station in all its glory or the fire truck of the era, but the members and their close bond that makes a strong brigade,” he said.
A highlight of the evening was the opportunity for fellowship between past and present members where old friendships were rekindled and new ones formed.
Dinner was served after a toast to absent friends and the delivery of the fireman's prayer by Kim Hough.
Wines for the dinner bore special labels marking the occasion and commemorative stubby holders were also distributed.
After dinner the annual awards were presented.
Five-year service awards were presented to Ben Lloyd, Dale Lloyd and Wayne Pugh, 10-year awards went to Tony Fazioli, 15-year awards went to Kim Hough, 20-year awards went to Kevin Marley, Craig Stephens, Ian Lutz and John Stephens (19 of those as brigade secretary) and a 30-year award went to Peter Lloyd.
Kim Hough's service was also recognised by awarding him life membership.
The inaugural captain's award was presented to Travis Hamersley.
A special presentation was made to Captain Darren Smith and his wife Lyn in recognition of their huge amount of work in planning the 100-year celebration.
Darren said he was overwhelmed by the community support for the 100-year celebrations.
The many people who lined the streets for the march and visited the open station and the invited guests from as far away as north Queensland who came to the dinner showed that level of support. He concluded by thanking those who had done extra work for the occasion - the 100-Year Committee, Ken Turnor for overseeing, Dot Marley for co-ordinating the hall set up, Coral Davies, Dianne Davidson and Chris James for photographs on the day and anyone else who helped make the centenary weekend a success.
The brigade and its duties have changed over the past 100 years and with the addition of rescue and hazmat duties they have found it difficult to compete in demonstrations such as the Easter State Championships.
However the kinship is still there and the intensity of some incidents attended ensures a comradeship which will last, through the young and future firemen, over the next 100 years of service to Wagin and its community.
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