Bronwyn (Bonnie) Dobson does what she does to give back to the town in which she grew up and loves.
Dobson is to receive the Queen's Service Medal for services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the community. And that community is Matatā.
"It's for Matatā that I do what I do," Dobson said. "As I grew up, and then through my lifetime in the town, I got so much so what I do now is my way of giving back."
She is not the only family member to receive the honour. Her husband Brian, also a long-serving fireman, was recognised in the same way two years ago.
"Brian got his medal after 50 years in the brigade, I thought I had another 25 years to go before I would be considered," Dobson laughed.