Officer firefighter Ian Sterk was recently honoured with a life membership.FIREFIGHTERS at Officer have honoured one of the rural brigade’s great contributors.
Excaptain Ian Sterk was presented with a national medal and clasp and inducted as the brigade’s first honorary life member at a recent special function.
Mr Sterk has been a member of the Officer CFA for 29 years and served as captain for almost a quarter of a century.
Tributes flowed at the dinner for a man who led the brigade through some of Victoria’s worst bushfires, including Ash Wednesday in 1983.
Mr Sterk was just 21 years old when he was elected captain after demonstrating and providing clear leadership to the CFA.
CFA administration support officer Chris Barber said his commitment to the brigade and the community was immediately evident.
“Ian established and fostered a junior fire brigade program in the 1980s and ’90s,” Mr Barber said.
“He carried out the role of brigade group delegate and delegate to the municipal fire prevention committee at Pakenham/Cardinia Shire Council for more than 20 years.”
In 1988, Mr Sterk was elected the fourth deputy group officer of the Pakenham group of fire brigades.
“In the 1990s Ian took a very active, handson role in the establishment and construction of the brigade’s gas response vehicle,” Mr Barber said.
“This vehicle provides for safe control of incidents involving LPG and other gases and is an important contribution to Westernport Area CFA’s specialist fleet.”
After such a long and diligent term of inspired leadership, Mr Sterk chose to resign his delegate and captain’s positions in mid2003.
“He remains a valued and active member of the brigade and should be proud of his contribution over the years. Ian continues to attend incidents and contribute to the brigade today,” Mr Barber said.
Mr Sterk’s contribution to the community goes beyond the CFA.
He is active in the community, serving for 10 years as leader of the 1st Officer Scout Group and is a committee member for both the Officer Memorial Hall and Cardinia Shire’s Yakkerboo Festival.
