News
11 August, 2022
Award win for young volunteer at Villeneuve
BROCK Purdie of Villeneuve Rural Fire Brigade was named Rural Fire Service (RFS) Young Volunteer of the Year for the Brisbane Region.
Brock received a framed certificate at the Villeneuve- based fire station, where a presentation took place last Thursday night.
The criteria for the award included completing a significant task for a RFS brigade or group to the benefit of other RFS members, and achieving special recognition for a RFS brigade or group.
Demonstrating operational excellence was another aspect, as was demonstrating outstanding compassion, support, commitment, diligence, or administration skills.
Brock said the award win was unexpected but that it felt pretty good.
“I thought ‘if I get it I get it, if I don’t I don’t,’” he said.
“I got a phone call from the assistant commissioner one day at work, and he told me I won it.
“I thought that’s pretty cool.”
Brock’s dad Tyson was the first officer at Jimna and has since been the first officer at Villeneuve Rural Fire Brigade.
Brock became a volunteer firefighter about four years ago when he was in grade 11 at Kilcoy State High School, as he followed in his dad’s footsteps.
“He asked me if I wanted to join, and I said yes,” Brock said.
Tyson said he still had photos from when Brock was four years old, with the youngster dressed in RFS uniform.
“It wasn’t until I was 15 or 16 that I started thinking about it,” Brock said of joining the fire service.
A full-time employee with Moreton Bay Regional Council, Brock said he hoped to stick with the rural fire brigade for as long as he could, although he didn’t aim to hold a senior role such as first officer.
Brock said being a volunteer firefighter was rewarding when there was “a feeling you’ve done something like saving a property...saving their fences or cattle or something like that”.
As for challenging aspects, Brock said every situation was different and that there were always unknowns.
“You never know what you’re walking into,” he said.
