Media notes - Meritorious

AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL (AFSM)
Victoria
Mr David John GERRARD, 164 Stockyard Hill Road, Beaufort Vic 3373
Mr Gerrard has provided outstanding commitment to the Beaufort and surrounding
communities. In particular, his outstanding leadership of the Beaufort Fire Brigade for over
20 years has been exceptional. Mr Gerrard has also worked tirelessly in local
community groups in the area of bushfire safety for over 25 years and has been promoting
bushfire safety prior to the introduction of the State-wide Fire Ready Victoria program.
Mr Gerrard's efforts as Brigade Coordinator of the Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday
Appeal Committee for over 20 years, and in helping to establish a highly regarded 'pre-school
to youth' fire safety program, further demonstrate his exceptional dedication to supporting and
serving the community.
Mr Tony LOVICK, 188 McCormacks Road, Merrijig Vic 3723
Mr Lovick has dedicated over 30 years' exemplary leadership in fire management in Victoria
in the Department of Environment and Primary Industries and its predecessor organisations.
During that time Mr Lovick performed critical roles in both fire response and management of
planned burning. His calm and strategic approach served him extremely well as both Incident
Controller and Operations Officer at many large fires, one of the more notable of these being
the Murrindindi fire on Black Saturday. Since Black Saturday Mr Lovick has worked tirelessly
to change the culture and practices relating to planned burning. His unbounded enthusiasm,
optimism and dedicated leadership have been a substantial driver in the Department's
achieving almost double the amount of planned burning compared with pre Black Saturday
levels. This has subsequently contributed to an increase in community safety outcomes.
Mr David Andrew NUGENT, Healesville Vic 3777
Mr Nugent has demonstrated significant dedication and outstanding leadership in fire
management in Victoria throughout a long and distinguished career. His exceptional skills
and commitment are evidenced by his outstanding performance at a number of large
bushfires, including the Bunyip Ridge Fire east of Melbourne in February 2009. He has been
instrumental in developing strong relationships between Parks Victoria and local brigades,
business operators and residents in and around the regions he has worked in. His leadership
at State and local levels has played a significant part in developing co-operative
arrangements between the fire and emergency services in Victoria and has helped make
considerable progress in building connections between agencies and the community in
shaping bushfire management into the future. Mr Nugent continues to play a significant role in
State and national strategic fire planning, including his role on the Australasian Fire and
Emergency Service Authorities Council. He is recognised in both Victoria and Australia for the
expertise and leadership he brings to these forums.
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