Shona Browne

Through this column, I’d like to publicly acknowledge and thank the members and their partners of the Ōpotiki Volunteer Fire Brigade for the service they provide to the Ōpotiki district.

Recently, because our Mayor David Moore was unable to attend the brigade’s annual awards evening, I was asked to attend in his place as deputy Mayor and present the awards for service.

That I did with pleasure along with Vic Carter ( now retired fire chief) and my husband,  Gerry Browne, (also retired) who are both life honorary members of the brigade serving between them some 80-plus years.

Also attending this function were current long serving brigade members and many life honorary members and their partners.

This was a great honour to acknowledge these men and women who volunteer their precious time with ongoing practice and commitment to the brigade.

This impacts on both their personal and professional lives. They attend every call when the alarm goes, day or night, and on some occasions the alarm can be heard more than once in a day, and it’s not always a fire they attend.

I wanted to take this opportunity on behalf of our Mayor, all councillors, Ōpōtiki District Council staff and the people of Ōpotiki, to publicly thank each and every one of them for the great service and support they give Opotiki.