In this year’s Queens Birthday Honours John McKenzie Fleming, Inverloch, received the OAM for service to the community of Wonthaggi, including the Glen Alvie Fire Brigade (since 1996) and Wonthaggi Fire Brigade (from 1961) where he is also a life member.
To get to know John, we asked for some personal insights into his life, especially with the CFA.
1. What prompted you to join the CFA?
I joined in 1961. I was the Holden dealer in Wonthaggi at the time. I used to see the old Austin pumper going down the main street with one person driving it going to a fire. He was the captain and also our grocer, his grocery shop was about 100 yards from the fire station. I asked him how come he was driving by himself, where’s the rest of your crew? He said they get along in due course so I said do you need some help? He said sure do so I joined and that was it.
2. What have been your roles with the CFA and are you still involved?
I’ve been brigade secretary, training officer and group officer for 18 years and been as far as Queensland fighting fires. One time we took 37 vehicles to Tenterfield and spent a week there helping because they’d been fighting fires for six weeks and were worn out. I also spent a week in northern Victoria in the logistics section when there were fires at Mount Beauty. People say we should pay you for the job you do; my answer to that is the day you pay me is the day I’ll resign. When you’re a volunteer you can choose what you want to do, you don’t own me.
3. What drives you to undertake roles, with CFA or anywhere, with such a focus on serving communities?
I’m 88 now and retired but I’ve had a saying for many years that we do these things because we can, not because we have to. You see a need and you try and fill it.
4. What is the most important thing you’ve learned in your time as a CFA volunteer?
Self-help. You can help protect your community but your community is the whole of Australia, not just your town. I don’t want to get into a debate about the CFA and MFB. That’s stupid. If that happens, we’ll lose our surge capacity and there will be some disastrous fires.
5. What do you think your best achievements are in your role with CFA?
Just being there and doing things. I was involved as a commissioner in the shire amalgamations in 1994 and we had the motto `make it happen’ and that’s what we did. It was the same with the CFA.
6. What is your best memory - funny or serious – about your time with CFA as a volunteer?
Every fire is different and you have to treat it as such. There were some stories I wouldn’t want to talk about, probably the stupid things with bureaucracy.
7. Which was your favourite role or activity with CFA and why?
Just being there. It’s good to contribute to the community.
8. What makes a good CFA volunteer?
Community interest. You need people to look after the community.
Congratulations John and thanks for being such an inspiring part of our CFA family.
PHOTO CREDIT: Brad Lester of The Great Southern Star
