vUnited Fire Brigades Association representatives Colin Kitchen (second from left) and Ray Topia (right) present gold stars to Steve "Mudguard" Edwards and Noel Green while Deb Green looks on.
vUnited Fire Brigades Association representatives Colin Kitchen (second from left) and Ray Topia (right) present gold stars to Steve "Mudguard" Edwards and Noel Green while Deb Green looks on.
Noel Green and Steve ''Mudguard'' Edwards were awarded gold stars marking 25 years' service at a function at Kerikeri Sports Complex on November 28.
It was a case of third time lucky because two previous attempts to present the medals, in April and September, were derailed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Kerikeri fire chief Les Wasson pins a medal on Noel Green's jacket. Photo / Peter de Graaf
By the time the awards night finally rolled around Green had clocked up 26 years, with the first six years in Paihia and the rest in Kerikeri.
The long-time pump operator/driver said he loved being part of the brigade. ''I just like helping the community,'' he said.
His most memorable callouts included the Moerewa kura fire in 2008 and the Homestead Tavern blaze in Kerikeri in 2002.
Fire engulfs the administration block and classrooms at Moerewa's Te Kura Kaupapa Maori O Taumarere in 2008. Photo / supplied
The toughest callouts were the car crashes, Green said.
''There's a lot of sad things but a lot of good saves too.''
Green said he was grateful to his family for putting up with 26 years of him running off, sometimes partway through dinner, any time the fire siren sounded.
Past United Fire Brigades Association president Colin Kitchen talks about the Gold Star recipients' contribution with, from left, Raina Kitchen, Noel Green and Steve Edwards. Photo / Peter de Graaf
Meanwhile, Edwards first joined the Kerikeri brigade 34 years ago but had a number of breaks which included eight years working at the Australian Antarctic base.
Among the thousands of callouts since then a crash at Bulls Gorge stuck most firmly in his memory.
''I had to go and tell a mate his wife had just died. I thought it was better that I told him than someone else.''
Muriwhenua area manager Wipari Henwood presents an award to Steve "Mudguard" Edwards on behalf of Fire and Emergency NZ. Photo / Peter de Graaf
However, he got great satisfaction from helping people out of situations they couldn't get out of themselves. It wasn't just people either — in 2009 the brigade got a heavily pregnant horse out of a river on Waipapa West Rd.
Being part of the Northland Peer Support Group, which offering counselling to firefighters after particularly tough callouts, was also satisfying.
Other speakers shared stories about how ''Mudguard'' got his nickname as well as a tale involving Edwards, a parrot and the Opua ferry, while former Kerikeri firefighter Charles Le Couteur — who came up from Southland especially — described Green as ''the epitome of a volunteer firefighter who always turns up with a willing smile and a willing heart''.
Steve "Mudguard" Edwards wipes away a tear of laughter during the speeches with, from left, Deb and Noel Green and Steph Edwards. Photo / Peter de Graaf
Green and Edwards' gold stars were the 11th and 12th awarded to members of Kerikeri Fire Brigade.
Three-year certificates: Connor Graham, Anna Burton.
Two-year silver bars: Wayne Timson (total service 7 years), Glen Scott (7 years), Mark Wood (9 years), Craig Bacon (9 years), Steve Mortensen (9 years), Jacob Pille (9 years), Simon Trye (9 years), Craig Laybourn (11 years), Brett Curtis (13 years), Andy Hamberger (15 years), Ngaia Cruden (17 years), Kevin Graham (17 years) Ben Scott (19 years).
