A royal honour well deserved

One of the Far North's longest-serving firefighters received his Queen's Service Medal from Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae at Government House in Wellington last week.

Colin Thomas, who was named as a recipient of the QSM for services to the New Zealand Fire Service in this year's Queen's Birthday honours list, was a member of the Okaihau Volunteer Fire Brigade for 44 years, 34 of them as Chief Fire Officer.

His citation noted that he had helped form the Northland Volunteer Chief Fire Officers' Association and had been proactive in promoting fire safety in schools around the Kaikohe district. He competed in, then judged Northland Fire Brigade sub-Association competitions for more than ten years, was a life member of the Okaihau brigade, and had received a Gold Star and long service and good conduct medal from the Fire Service.

He is also a past president of the Kaikohe District RSA and the Okaihau Bowling Club.

Kaitaia's CFO and Muriwhenua Fire Area volunteer support officer Colin Kitchen, was in Wellington last week to support Mr Thomas at his investiture, said that throughout the 45 years he had known him he had constantly been overwhelmed by his genuine concern not only for his local community and the people who lived there but for New Zealand as a nation, its heritage and what it meant to be a New Zealander.

"On occasion, as one goes through life, you meet individuals who stand out in some way, and Colin Thomas is one such person," Mr Kitchen said. "His life's work is outstanding, and has revolved around a total commitment to people through voluntary involvement in community groups.

"Without a doubt his commitment to his community through the Okaihau Volunteer Fire Brigade has been outstanding.

Many people have been the beneficiaries of his generosity by the unconditional gift of his time.

"His love of the fire brigade and his rapport with and unconditional support of the town's young people have seen many of them progress and choose the Fire Service as a career."

Mr Thomas had consistently demonstrated leadership, not only as Okaihau's CFO but as an ordinary New Zealander who contributed to the make-up and health of the community in which he lived.

He was a man of integrity, loyalty and commitment, as his many years in the Fire Service testified.