Apr2015_Diligent and Ethical Service Medals

The two ladies in question are Margaret WESTON and Ann KENMAN. These two ladies have been members of our Brigade since the early 1970’s – they joined with their husbands, Alwyn WESTON and Ian KENMAN, way back in 1970 but, unfortunately, ‘official records’ only show the year as 1980. Still, that’s 35 years of unwavering and loyal service to this wonderful community – and everyone in Dayboro should be very grateful of the fact that Margaret and Ann were here to respond to cries for help.

Ann started off alongside Ian as a firefighter – as soon as the call went out, they would drop what they were doing to assist. After the Kenman children appeared, it was up to Ann to run the farm, look after the kids and support the men where she could. With Margaret, it was more of a support role as, when Alwyn ran off to help, she would be on the phone to round up as many extra hands and machines as possible – and then Margaret and Ann would round up other ladies to assist in the kitchen, making sandwiches and pots of tea to keep the menfolk fed. Margaret told me once that she had lost count of the number of phone calls she made from their private phone on behalf of the Brigade, and that she was ‘unofficial’ Treasurer when Alwyn held down both the Secretary’s and Treasurer’s positions. She decided to take on the official Treasurer’s position in the early 2000’s. 

Typical of country women of our era, they never made a ‘song and dance’ of the things they did – they just got on with it. Well, now it’s our turn to repay Margaret and Ann in a very small way for their massive contribution – with the award of the Diligent and Ethical Service Medals. Take a bow, ladies – you should be very proud of your efforts, because we, at Dayboro and District Rural Fire Brigade, certainly are very proud of you both.

Glenn Bell

Chairman

Dayboro and District Rural Fire Brigade.