SHE has spent more than two decades volunteering her time fighting bushfires across WA but she is not in it for the glory.
Bunbury Volunteer Bushfire Brigade captain Terri Kowal has been selected as a finalist for the Murray Lang Bush Fire Service Award which honours the achievements of individuals and groups who have gone beyond the call of duty.
Mrs Kowal said she has loved every day working with her brigade, a group of people she calls her second family.
“This award is a huge honour and I’m surprised to be named and I’m just humbled by the whole thing really,” she said.
“We don’t do what we do for the rewards or accolades – we do it because it’s great to be out there.
“The reward is doing something for the community but I put this down not just to me, but to my whole brigade because I can’t do it without the backing of them.”
She said her team spent the better part of 40 working weeks fighting bush fires last season, travelling a massive 5000 kilometres to fight fires as far away as Bullsbrook, Boddington, Northcliffe and Bindoon.
“It’s great to train the cadets and bring them to fires with us through the season and see how far people come with some training,” she said.
“Coming into the fire season this year, more and more people are getting on board and wanting to lend a helping hand.
“We can never have too many people.”
To volunteer with the Bunbury Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade, phone 97256 389.
