CLIFF Harrison has been volunteering in his community for 80 years - a firefighter with the Loddon Vale brigade since the Country Fire Authority was established.
On Monday night, the brigade veteran became one of the first to receive the CFA’s 80-year medal.
“We’re doing our duty in the district and able to enjoy the fellowship of others in the brigade,” Cliff said.
He is part of the family tradition of being brigade members that started when the Loddon Vale unit was formed in 1931, 14 years before the CFA. “My dad, brothers were all members ... dad was a founding member.”
Cliff was a member of the brigade’s team that won the 1960 lowdown pump race state championship, the year he married wife Alice who received her 25-year medal at the ceremony in Pyramid Hill.
Alice recalled the days before radio communication for brigades when she would ring district farmers when a fire was reported and “look up catering for the firemen”.
The brigade’s delegate to Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria, Brendan Blake, was awarded a 50-year medal and CFA life membership, presented by district commander Bryan Suckling. Brendan also received the National Medal with three clasps.
Mr Suckling congratulated members on their awards.