Honours for Mt Barker's own

Two Mt Barker residents have been recognised in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours for their volunteering and commitment to the town.

Picture by Laurie Benson: Mt Barker volunteer fire fighter Jeffrey Drage.

Jeffrey Drage was awarded an Australian Fire Service Medal and David Stewart was granted a Medal of the Order of Australia.

Mr Drage has volunteered for the Mt Barker Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service for 21 years and fits the work around a full-time working week at the supermarket.

“This is the icing on the cake, you don’t do it for the awards,” he said.

Mr Drage became interested in the brigade because his father has been involved for 45 years and his brother for 35 years.

“I was following on a family tradition, just the excitement and the challenges, and you’re doing something for your community,” he said.

“I run what I call schoolies week, when I take the primary school on Fire Safety Week once a year, we teach the kids fire safety.”

Mr Drage also developed a brigade welfare fund which provides assistance to local families who have been fire victims.

Mr Stewart is also an institution in Mt Barker, whose many volunteering activities include a 50-year stint with St John Ambulance and Mt Barker Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service.

“I’ve made such a wonderful lot of friends, a lot of lovely people and I’ve got enjoyment out of it,” he said.

“I’m a great believer that you only get out of life what you put into it.”

Mr Stewart is a former mechanic, who bought a school bus and drove it for more than 20 years before he retired.

He said the award was a surprise.

Mr Stewart is also a Mt Barker Lions Club member and has been active with North Mt Barker Football Club, tennis and swimming clubs and other groups.

Got a story? Email toyah.shakespeare@albanyadvertiser.com