Photos: Kerikeri firefighter Greg Imms clocks up 50 years' service

Vivienne and Greg Imms at the honours ceremony. Photo / Peter de Graaf

More than 200 people came together at the Turner Centre on Saturday to honour Greg Imms' half-century of volunteering with the Kerikeri Fire Brigade.

The former deputy fire chief signed up on November 11, 1968, at an time when the brigade had 11 callouts a year — last year they were called out 296 times — and drove around in a fire truck dating back to World War II.

Since then Imms has clocked up a remarkable 92 per cent attendance record and become only the second Kerikeri firefighter, and the 15th in Northland, to receive a 50-Year Medal.

Also honoured on Saturday were deputy fire chief Kevin Graham, station officer Andy Hamberger and qualified firefighter Ngaia Cruden, all of whom were awarded 14-year Long Service and Good Conduct medals.

From left, Northland MP Matt King, Sara King, Rebecca van Dijk, Edwin van Dijk (Mid North police and Kerikeri Fire Brigade), Derek Miller (Paihia Fire Brigade), Chris McLellan (Northland police), Rachel McLellan, Ainslie Dempster and Rhys Dempster (Mid North police). Photo / Peter de Graaf

Kerikeri firefighter Ngaia Cruden and daughter Jayme, 6. Photo / Peter de Graaf

Kerikeri deputy chief fire officer Kevin Graham receives his 14-year Long Service and Good Conduct medal from Fire and Emergency Muriwhenua area commander Wipari Henwood. Photo / Peter de Graaf

Kerikeri station officer Andy Hamberger receives his 14-year Long Service and Good Conduct medal from Fire and Emergency Muriwhenua area commander Wipari Henwood. Photo / Peter de Graaf

Kerikeri qualified firefighter Ngaia Cruden (right) receives his 14-year Long Service and Good Conduct medal from Fire and Emergency Muriwhenua area commander Wipari Henwood. Photo / Peter de Graaf

Kerikeri station officer Andy Hamberger with wife Jennie and daughter Connie, 16. Photo / Peter de Graaf

Kerikeri qualified firefighter Ngaia Cruden (centre) with proud whānau, from left, Tutukau Tawhi-Amopiu, 12, Mano Cornelius Nuku, 9, Jude Cornelius, Jayme Cruden, 6, Ellen Cornelius Nuku, 7, Te Rauhui Gawler, 15, Jah Cruden, 19, Sass Tawhi-Amopiu and Kiwa Cruden, 14. Photo / Peter de Graaf

From left, Far North Mayor John Carter, Fire and Emergency Muriwhenua area commander Wipari Henwood, Carolyn Henwood, Ray Topia, Leoni Carter, Rain Kitchen and former Kaitaia fire chief Colin "Toss Kitchen. Photo / Peter de Graaf

Kaeo fire chief Lindsay Murray, an earlier 50-year medal recipient, with his wife Koss and photobomber Steve "Mudguard" Edwards of Kerikeri Fire Brigade. Photo / Peter de Graaf

Greg Imms is awarded his 50-year medal by United Fire Brigades Association past president Colin "Toss" Kitchen. Photo / Peter de Graaf

Kerikeri fire chief Les Wasson (left), Christine Wasson, Vivienne Imms and Greg Imms. Photo / Peter de Graaf

The Imms family, from left, Shannon, Haley, Vivienne, Greg and Bryce. Photo / Peter de Graaf

Three generations of the Imms family line up for a photo. Photo / Peter de Graaf

Kawakawa Fire Brigade members, from left, operational support Annette Wynyard, fire chief Wayne Martin and qualified firefighter Ellie McClintock. Photo / Peter de Graaf