DECADES of devotion have seen the Cain brothers recognised with Country Fire Authority life membership.
Kelvin and twins Graham and Harold were among Woodstock West brigade members honoured with service medals on Sunday.
“The brigade was formed from a shooting club that used to meet many years ago at a hotel in Eastville,” Graham said.
“The brigade took the name of Woodstock West and kept it when we moved into Laanecoorie.”
Kelvin said the brothers had usually been first on the truck heading to fires. “We lived close and handy to the station.”
The trio said the biggest fire they had tackled was in January 1985 when brigades from across the region tackled a major blaze that stretched from Avoca to Clunes and to the outskirts of Maryborough before being controlled near Carisbrook.
Sunday’s award luncheon also saw brigade life memberships presented to Shane O’Loughlin and Wayne Stephens.
Presentations ranged from five year certficates to 65-year medals for the Cain brothers and a 60-year award for Geoff Curnow.
Brigade captain Leigh Hercus and CFA Loddon commander Bryan Suckling cut the ribbon of a station extension that now gives Woodstock West members a changeroom and toilets.
Mr Suckling said: “The medals today recognised more than 1500 years of service. That’s a lot of experience in the room.”