FRANK Canfield has been honoured for his 65 years of volunteering with Wedderburn Fire Brigade.
The veteran member received his long service award at Tuesday night’s 130th anniversary dinner from CFA commander Bryan Suckling.
Frank, who has been a member of the brigade for half its history, was also given the honour of cutting the brigade’s birthday cake. 
Former captain Neville White received a 55-year service medal with awards also to Geoff Weston (50 years), Greg Canfield and Alan Holt (40 years), Luke Selby (15 years), secretary Louise Gamble (10 years) and current captain James Cook (five years).
Mr White gave a brief history of the brigade since the first meeting to raise funds in 1892 and its formation the following year. “A fire house was opened in 1896 opposite today’s bowling green,” he said.
“A fire bell was provided and this bell still sits at the fire station.”
Mr White said a hall was moved from Korong Vale in the early 1960s for use by the brigade and the current station was opened in 2000.
“Over the years members took part in many fire championships,” he said.
“In 1979 two teams competed. The first team was Brian White, Peter Brett, Paul Tonkin, Ron and Geoff Weston, Clifton Gregson - they were meant to be the guns.
“The second team of Frank Canfield, Alan Brett, Michael Steel, Warren Roberts and myself were older and injured but outdid all the teams on the day and went onto the state championships in Wangaratta.”
He said another crack team in championships had been Bob Steel, Alex Rossi, Trevor Holt, Hughie Hendry and Ted Hargreaves in the 1950s.
Mr White said the brigade had been well served by members over the last 130 years but said there had been two oustanding volunteers.
“Dave Gibson was awarded the British Empire Medal and Joan Steel the Australian Fire Service Medal,” he said.
Representatives of the Korong Vale and Fentons Creek brigades attended the dinner.