The tireless voluntary dedication of both the Queenstown and Frankton firefighters who attended and were honoured even extended to their special occasion, with their gear and apparatus placed ready in the foyer of the Queenstown Memorial Centre and four fire appliances parked outside, just in case.
The Queenstown brigade, which predates the formation of the New Zealand Fire Service by 112 years, was just as important to the community today as it was when the town was a camp made of canvas and timber, Chief Fire Officer Bob Robertson told 400 guests in the auditorium.
Mr Robertson, the one man who has served in the Queenstown brigade for more than one-third of its existence, said he believed he had served alongside virtually every firefighter present at the anniversary function and described the brigades as ''one big family.''
Uniformed brigade members past and present from Queenstown and Frankton, their partners, employers and supporters were joined by senior representatives from the national Fire Service, senior delegates from Queenstown police and St John Queenstown, plus Queenstown Lakes Mayor Vanessa van Uden and her husband Peter Laurenson.
New Zealand Fire Service Commission deputy chairman David McFarlane presented the long service and good conduct medals.
Mr McFarlane said the anniversary was significant to Queenstown and New Zealand as ''150 years is a long time in our country''.
''Very few organisations have survived to provide 150 years of enduring service.''
United Fire Brigades Association deputy chairman and Rolleston Chief Fire Officer Nigel Lilley presented the service awards.
Speeches were made by Central Otago Sub Association president David Christie, Institution of Fire Engineers international president and South Australian Fire Service Chief Fire Officer Grant Lupton, and Ms van Uden.
The event was the culmination of three months of festivities for the anniversary, which included about 1000 school pupils touring the station, a popular community open day last Saturday and a private barbecue for firefighters and loved ones yesterday.
A book by Queenstown author Jenny McLeod records past and present firefighters and the major fires they fought during the brigade's first 150 years. It was published to coincide with the anniversary and contains research and photographs sourced from the Otago Witness and Otago Daily Times.
Recipients
Long Service & Good Conduct medal: Karl Argyle, of Frankton, Dion Halmshaw, of Queenstown, Mike Ide, of Frankton, and Craig Mace, of Frankton.
Five-year medal recipients: Paul Halsted, of Queenstown, Katherine Lamont, of Queenstown, Gary Marsh, of Queenstown, Daune Schollitt, of Frankton, and Samantha Wills, of Frankton.
Three-year certificate: Diego Canepa, of Frankton, Hayden Cosgrove, of Frankton, Damian Hill, of Frankton, Joshua Keeble, of Queenstown, Chole MacMillan-Wise, of Queenstown, Phil McGrory, of Frankton, Carla McLeod, of Queenstown, and Preston Rogers-Brown, of Queenstown.
Two-year silver bar: Clare Mallard-Paul, of Queenstown (7 years), Duncan Fisher, of Queenstown (9 years), Andrew Bary, of Queenstown (11 years), Royden Cullimore, of Queenstown (13 years), Bobby Lamont, of Queenstown (13 years), Doug McKay, of Queenstown (13 years), Dion Halmshaw, of Queenstown (17 years) and Bill Metherell, of Queenstown (21 years).
Two-year gold bar: Terry O'Connell, of Queenstown (31 years), Lyall McGregor, of Queenstown (37 years) and Bob Robertson, of Queenstown (54 years).
