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Bendigo Advertiser photographer Darren Howe captured this wonderful image of Country Fire Authority volunteer Brendan Drechsler for National Volunteers Week.
Brendan joined the Sedgwick brigade as a 15. Just as his father and older brothers had done before him. He is adamant the brigade is the centre of the Sedgwick community.
"We're a tight knit community, Sedgwick's a tight knit community and it's a very good community," Mr Drechsler said. "But it comes at a time when we lost our local church, you're losing your footy clubs around the area, and the schools are closing.
"The one thing that's steadfast in the community, and has excellent community spirit, is the Country Fire Authority."
The volunteer fire brigade may be called something different in your state but there's a common thread of dedication and loyalty. And those two qualities are well worth celebrating this week - and most other weeks, too.
In Mandurah, they've showered love on volunteer extraordinaire Pam Bennett, they've signed up more volunteers in Goulburn, Bob McKenzie's feats have been lauded in Warrnambool and in Ballarat the SES has been recognised.
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