Two dedicated north Queenslanders have been named the State Volunteer of the Year and Far Northern's Young Volunteer of the Year, as part of celebrations for Rural Fire Service Week.
Member for Cairns Michael Healy, representing Fire and Emergency Services Minister Mark Ryan, said Far Northern Region's Savannah Terrar had been named as the State RFS Volunteer of the Year.
Mr Healy said Savannah had been volunteering with the Kuranda Myola Rural Fire Brigade since 2008.
"Savannah is a leader whose dedication to her brigade and her community shows through her actions," Mr Healy said.
"Not only has she stepped up as a second officer, she is also the training officer and volunteer community educator.
"In the past three years, Savannah has attended nine deployments as well as being involved in 30 fires in Far Northern Region each year.
"It is thanks to volunteers like Savannah we are able to support our community during tough times, whether that be bushfires, floods or storms."
Savannah said her 18-year-old daughter also was a RFS volunteer.
"I wanted to engage with the area where I lived, as well as the area that encompasses my children's school," Savannah said.
"It's an amazing feeling to see your kids follow in your footsteps. We'll often be at a fire together but with different brigades and I'll look across the highway and see her working as part of a team.
"We do it out of sheer love and drive for the community. I've seen firefighters turn away because they have tears in their eyes when a small child has written a note with a packet of homemade biscuits."
Minister Ryan said the work done by RFS volunteers was invaluable.
"They provide not only great support for the community but great comfort to people who know they will not be left on their own in an emergency or time of need,'' the Minister said.
"Volunteers are the lifeblood of communities – people who place the needs of friends and neighbours often before even their own.''
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Acting Deputy Commissioner Stephen Smith said Alexander Hubner received the regional Young Volunteer of the Year Award for the Far Northern Region.
"Alexander is an active and enthusiastic member of the Paddy's Green Rural Fire Brigade. As well as attending incidents, as an apprentice mechanic he also uses his skills helping out with appliance maintenance," Acting Deputy Commissioner Smith said.
"A third-generation firefighter, his achievements to date have been outstanding.
"He prioritises his role as a volunteer above other commitments and is always willing to assist and protect the Paddy's Green and Milla Millaa communities.
"Alexander is a leader and role model for all Rural Fire Brigade members and I congratulate him on this award."
