These two local legends have notched up a collective century with Werribee Fire Brigade.
Volunteer firefighter John Ryan and auxiliary volunteer Barbara Wells were honoured for 50 and 51 respective years of service recently.
Mr Ryan joined the CFA in March 1968 as a 16-year-old and shortly after fought the 1969 grassfires, which burned down 40 homes.
“That was a pretty horrific day. People were burnt … that was horror, sheer horror,” he said.
Mrs Wells signed on as a support member in February 1967 when she was dating her then-boyfriend (now husband) Darryl, who has been with Werribee CFA for more than 55 years and is a former captain.
Over that time, she’s catered for functions, made thousands of sandwiches, and offered practical and emotional support.
She said being the wife of a firefighter could be tough, and remembers one time, pre-mobile phones, when she had no contact with Darryl for four days when he was out battling a fire.
She’s also used to having a husband that drops everything at a moment’s notice.
“You make a meal and you sit down and the siren goes off and the phones would go off and away Darryl would go.”
Mr Ryan added: “It always went off on Christmas Day, at Christmas dinner.”
But, Mrs Wells wouldn’t have it any other way, describing the brigade as an extended family.
The pair were among nine members to receive long service awards at a recent Werribee Fire Brigade ceremony. Other recipients included Mel Mathias (45 years), Noel Squires (35 years), Alan Ryan (35 years), Sharlene May (35 years), Elizabeth Mathias (35 years), Ian Kumpis (35 years) and Lino Zulian (30 years).
