Peter Bailey joined CFA in 1985, and became part of the Goomalibee and Upotipotpon brigade in 1999.
CFA District 23 brigade administrative support officer Daryl Paterson said he had been captain of that brigade since 2005.
“For over 40 years, he has served both the Mansfield and Benalla communities as a firefighter as well as being a Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria representative and Benalla group delegate for the last 15 years,” Mr Paterson said.
Mr Bailey has previously been awarded the National Emergency Medal in 2015 for his efforts during the 2009 bushfires, and also in 2022 for his work during the 2019 bushfires.
“He was recently elected by his peers to the roll of Benalla group communications officer, and remains a highly regarded active volunteer member within the Country Fire Authority.”
Mr Bailey said it was a proud moment to receive the national medal, as well as his long service medal for 40 years with CFA.
“The National Service Medal was created by Royal Warrant and is awarded by the governor-general,” he said.
“It was an honour.
Mr Bailey said he’d been captain of the brigade for 20 years, and had just stood down.
“I’m still a first lieutenant,” he said.
“But I’ve just been elected as the Benalla group comms officer.
“That incorporates Benalla, and about 18 other brigades.”
Mr Bailey said he was looking forward to attaching his medal to his formal uniform.
“Which is the uniform we wear when we go out for dinners and formal events,” he said.
Mr Bailey said volunteering with CFA has been extremely rewarding.
“It's a great organisation,” he said.
“Over the years I've been there, I’ve done a lot of things.
“I've been away for many fires, you know, the big campaign fires in New South Wales and Victoria and South Australia.
“And I got a new building built for the (Goomalibee and Upotipotpon) Brigade, he said.
“It took me quite a few years to get the funding for that.
“That’s the kind of things I’ve been recognised for.”
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