From floods to bushfires, daring rescues to demanding land searches – at the heart of not-so-everyday events are a group of Queenslanders who have made it their mission to lead and support local communities through these emergencies.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) staff and volunteers are once again being celebrated as ”everyday heroes” in the annual QFES Australia Day Achievement Awards, proudly supported by QSuper, part of Australian Retirement Trust.
Recognising the dedication, diligence, and commitment to advance the lives of fellow Queenslanders, the annual award ceremonies, held from January to March this year, shine a light on some of the incredible work of the individuals who make up QFES.
In our 16th year supporting the awards, we are proud to unearth some of the stories of those who dedicate themselves to the wellbeing of others.
Dynamic husband and wife duo
Among the 88 remarkable Queenslanders recognised in this year’s program were husband-wife duo, Arthur and Robyn Burrell, who have volunteered with the Bowen Rural Fire Brigade for two decades.
Living in the Bowen region in North Queensland for the better part of their 40-plus year marriage, the Burrells have become a fixture in their local fire brigade after an impromptu community meeting saw them sign up to volunteer.
“Arthur has lived here all his life, and we figured it was high time to get involved and help out where we could,” Robyn said.
To this day we might be the only couple who have been silly enough to do this together.
“Our connection actually started back when Arthur worked as a panel beater and did up the brigade’s first ever fire truck.”
Repurposing a retired Army Blitz truck for the fire brigade as a passion project, Arthur hadn’t anticipated riding the truck or “taking up the hose” to protect his community. Now 74, Arthur jokes that this is a great retirement plan.
From their first call-out at an overnight blaze at Euri Creek to supporting the Bowen Rural Fire Brigade as treasurer and secretary, the Burrells recognition in 2024 goes to show that every helping hand makes a difference when it comes to service to the community.
After a fall at a previous call-out took Arthur out of the action, he travelled hours with Robyn to “take up the tongs” and feed more than 40 QFES personnel and crew who were fighting a blaze that lasted five days.
“We were stationed at a homestead preparing food over an old camp barbeque around the clock for crews who were rotating through the blaze,” Robyn said.
I don’t think we have done anything special to deserve these recognitions. There are other people out there who do way more than we do.”
The pair’s humility is an attribute shared by the other QFES personnel and volunteers receiving recognition alongside the Burrells this year.
Rachael Loveland (above, centre), 1st Officer and Treasurer with the Gregory River Rural Fire Brigade, is among the award recipients recognised for her leadership in critical incidents during the 2023 fire season.
“My husband and I moved around a lot due to his work. I initially joined the Marburg Rural Fire Brigade back in 2002 as a way to make friends and give back to the community I was now a part of,” she said.
“What has kept me engaged in my work with QFES is the sense of community service and the friendships I have been able to form.”
Supporting those who support us
For over 100 years, we’ve supported our Queensland government front line and support services to save for retirement. And as the super partner of many other Queenslanders, we value the role QFES staff and volunteers play in their communities and the importance of acknowledging their service.
Spanning the seven Queensland regions, nominations in the 2023 award program varied from service to education, initiatives, and emergency management.
“These individuals are not only talented, but upstanding members of their diverse communities,” Australian Retirement Trust Head of Government and Stakeholder Relationships Erick Cordero said.
“Many of our members live rurally and remotely where QFES operates. Through our support we not only honour those on the front line, but the networks of people who ensure the ongoing safety and support of Queenslanders in times of crisis or emergency.”