COUNTRY FIRE SERVICE VOLUNTEERS

The Hon. B.V. FINNIGAN (15:09): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Emergency Services a question regarding volunteer recognition.

Leave granted.

The Hon. B.V. FINNIGAN: I understand that recently an extraordinary milestone in terms of volunteering was reached by a Country Fire Service member. Is the minister able to provide the council with any details of this achievement and how it was appropriately commemorated?

The Hon. J.S.L. Dawkins interjecting:

The Hon. B.V. Finnigan: So you don't think 60 years with the CFS is worth commemorating?

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO (Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Road Safety, Minister Assisting the Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (15:10): I thank the honourable member for his important question and interest in the Country Fire Service. As Minister for Emergency Services, I place on record how delighted I was to be asked to attend on Wednesday 9 April this year a small but very important ceremony at the Athelstone CFS brigade.

The Premier, the Chief Officer, representatives from the CFS Volunteers Association and local member Ms Lindsay Simmons MP joined us to celebrate 60 years of outstanding and continuous service to the CFS by Mr George Polomka. This is a unique achievement in the history of the CFS in South Australia. To commemorate this achievement, George was presented with a 60-year service plaque, and the Premier and I unveiled a plaque that dedicates the George Polomka Building at the CFS State Training Centre at Brukunga.

George started his service with the Jamestown brigade. He was a foundation member of what was then known as the emergency fire service at Jamestown in 1948. In 1971, he was appointed as a life member of the brigade. George also served as a councillor in the District Council of Jamestown and was its mayor from 1977 to 1982. George was also appointed as the first volunteer regional officer—

The Hon. B.V. Finnigan: They are all silent now—

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO: —absolutely—for Region 4, which is the largest CFS region in the state. These are now paid positions and are known as regional commanders. George played a key role in securing a new fire station for the Jamestown community and was instrumental in the development and design of new fire appliances with improved safety features following the 1983 Ash Wednesday bushfires. Members with any connection to the Mid North are no doubt aware of George's commitment to the community.

The dedication of the George Polomka Building is fitting, given the focus on training in George's service with the CFS. George now serves as administration officer with the Athelstone CFS brigade. The breadth of knowledge and experience that he brings to the brigade is seriously appreciated. I know that brigade captain Eero Haatainen certainly appreciates all that George brings to that brigade, and I thank Eero and his brigade members for hosting the evening.

It is hard to put into perspective what a 60-year volunteer commitment to community safety is, particularly bearing in mind that this is an emergency response capacity—in all weather, in the middle of the night, at weekends; all that being a CFS or emergency service volunteer entails. George's wife Elaine has herself been a member of the CFS for 33 years. So, between the two of them, they have 93 years of service. I ask all members to join me in congratulating George Polomka on this extraordinary achievement—and, most importantly, commitment—and thanking him on behalf of this parliament for his service.

Honourable members: Hear, hear!

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO: And I am not sure that George Polomka is even considering retiring.