Eight rural bushfire brigades who banded together in an extraordinary effort to battle major blazes across a horror bushfire season won the volunteer firefighting team achievement gong at the 2026 WA Fire and Emergency Services Awards.
The brigades from the Shire of Ravensthorpe fought massive fires at West River, the Fitzgerald River National Park and Dunn Rock between November 2025 and February this year.
They were commended at the awards in Perth on September 5, for their “exceptional leadership, resilience and operational capability” throughout the 2025-26 bushfire season.
The West River incident in December, which came perilously close to reaching the Ravensthorpe townsite, was the blaze which cost farmer and former shire deputy president Mark Mudie his life.
The award citation said more than 100 volunteers fought the West River fire, overcoming fatigue and grief.
“The bushfire was a traumatic experience following the death of a fellow volunteer, but they soldiered on for the rest of the season, including responding to the Dunn Rock and Telegraph Track bushfires that burnt more than 200,000ha of bushland,” it said.
Mal Grant, the Shire of Ravensthorpe’s bushfire risk mitigation co-ordinator and chief bushfire control officer, said it was an honour to receive the award.
He also paid tribute to Rod Daw, his predecessor, whose 50 years with the shire had set the groundwork for the brigades’ organisation.
“It was a team effort and, while none of us are after accolades, it was a pretty proud moment,” he said.
“Even though I’ve been with him as a friend for the last 25 years, it’s Rod Daw’s sterling efforts which have prepared the brigades.
“Two crappy bushfire seasons have just landed in my lap.
“We should also acknowledge the help we had from our neighbours in the shires of Jerramungup, Lake Grace and Esperance who played a really important complementary role in supporting us.”
Four representatives of the brigades from the nominated crews of North Ravensthorpe, East Ravensthorpe, West River, Mt Short, Jerdacuttup, Cocanarup, Hopetoun and Munglinup attended the awards.
Mr Grant also managed to rustle up a ticket for Mr Daw who made the trip and was mentioned by DFES commissioner Darren Klemm in his speech.
The brigades are already planning for the 2026-27 season.
“It was pretty cool to be up there getting the award but we have already had refresher courses for the eight brigades,” Mr Grant said.
“These guys don’t get flustered, they all have a skill set which has been well developed in the field.”
The Ravensthorpe eight were up against Denmark VFRS and Nickol Bay BFB for the award and got the nod after a frightening and exhausting season.
Cocanarup brigade captain Gary Webster said at the time of the nomination that he would not be forgetting the 2025-26 bushfire season in a hurry.
“I think it was the worst one ever,” he said.
Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.
Sign up for our emails