Volunteer support lauded

Tireless devotion and commitment to supporting volunteers is why Albany's John Tonkin received a prestigious Australian Fire Service Medal in today's Australia Day Awards. *

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services area officer, who has devoted more than 15 years to the bushfire and volunteer brigades, is one of 122 people around the country to receive a Meritorious Award today.

During Mr Tonkin's time with DFES, he has co-ordinated countless local volunteer fire brigades.

It was those volunteers who nominated him for the award.

"It means a lot to me because it means they hold me in some esteem and without volunteers … this country would really struggle," he said.

"It's just amazing.

"They get up and get out there and do the job with no reward.

"Part of what my job is all about is to train them and to nurture them so they are prepared to accept responsibility and they know what to do."

Mr Tonkin said often he was moti- vated by the dedication of the volunteers.

"Sometimes people say to me: 'What do you do?' and I say: 'Well I've got the best job in Australia because I deal with volunteers'," he said.

"It really motivates you because you understand whatever you train them in or skill them with they are going to use that to support their community."

Before Mr Tonkin was a DFES officer he spent some time as a volunteer in the South Coast bushfire brigade. *

"I guess it gave me an appreciation and that's why I've got a certain degree of empathy with them as I understand the thinking and what they need as far as support," he said. *

"Getting and retaining volunteers is becoming increasingly difficult.

"I guess people have so many demands on just making a living so you've got to look after the ones you've got.

"And I guess that's what they appreciate.

"When they need help, there is someone there to give them a hand."