Three generations of the Battistuzzi family are currently active members of the Clunes Rural Fire Brigade and today Lismore City Council thanked them for over 120 years of combined service to the community.
Cecil Battistuzzi was a founding member of the brigade back in 1968 and earlier this year was awarded a long service medal for his 50 years of service. On the same night his son Stephen received a medal for 30 years of service.
Cecil's other son, Neville Battistuzzi, is currently captain of the Clunes brigade and has been an active member for 36 years. Cecil's wife Val and their daughter Judy are associate members, which means they are involved in organisational aspects of the brigade but not the firefighting. Continuing the family tradition are Cecil's grandson Eric and granddaughter Leigha who are also active members of the brigade.
"It's just our way of helping the community. It's as simple as that," Neville said.
"We just do it because it's what we want to do. It's not about the recognition or the awards. It's been a big part of life for our family and we all get in and work together."
Lismore Mayor Isaac Smith presented Cecil Battistuzzi with a certificate and thanked him for his 50 years of service.
"Fifty years is an incredible achievement and I think it's amazing that Cecil's whole family have taken on the challenge of being a part of the Rural Fire Service. Not only do they protect us from fires, but RFS volunteers are often called to assist police and the SES during other natural disasters such as floods and storm damage, and attending motor vehicle accidents. To all of their volunteers, and particularly to the Battistuzzi family, thankyou on behalf of the residents of Lismore."
