General News
22 August, 2023
Volunteers farewell 'a top bloke'
THE SERVICE of former Country Fire Authority assistant chief officer Peter Taylor was celebrated at Kingower cricket ground. Members of brigades from across the Loddon gathered with Peter’s widow Cath for the memorial service that was also...
THE SERVICE of former Country Fire Authority assistant chief officer Peter Taylor was celebrated at Kingower cricket ground.
Members of brigades from across the Loddon gathered with Peter’s widow Cath for the memorial service that was also attended by former CFA chief officer Euan Ferguson.
Peter died earlier this year after retiring to the Sunshine Coast.
Friend and former colleague Mark Gilmore said it had been Peter’s wish to have a memorial service in a bushland setting.
“Kingower cricket ground was a perfect backdrop for family, friends and colleagues to farewell him,” Mark said before the service. Peter had transferred from forest fire management to the CFA and held appointments in District 2 and District 20 where he became assistant chief officer.
Mark, who worked with Peter in their professional careers, said Peter was well-respected and a top bloke. “We worked together with training courses and in operations.
“One operation for Peter was the Linton bushfire in 1998 that saw five firefighters lose their lives.
“That changed a lot of things about firefighting and it was Peter who introduced the Every 1 Comes Home push to highlight safety of volunteers,” he said.
“To this day, stickers with this message are still on CFA equipment.”
Mr Ferguson spoke of Peter’s service and commitment during Sunday’s service.
Peter’s daughter Kaitlyn thanked volunteers for their tributes.