Medal honour for Victor Harbor's 'jack of all trades'
Medal honour for Victor Harbor's 'jack of all trades'
7 September 2022
Victor Harbor Corps Officer Nathan Hodges with corps volunteer Chris Marshall at the award ceremony.
Victor Harbor Salvos volunteer Chris Marshall has received a National Emergency Medal in recognition of his contributions to the Black Summer fires of 2019.
Chris, who has been volunteering in the Country Fire Service (CFS) for more than 13 years, was one of a number of people who received medals at a special ceremony on Sunday 24 July.
The National Emergency Medal, established by Queen Elizabeth II in October 2011, is awarded to persons who render sustained or significant service during national emergencies in Australia.
“Chris really does anything that’s needed – volunteering at Doorways and in the corps,” said Captain Nathan Hodges, Corps Officer at Victor Harbor (SA).
Chris has been especially helpful in volunteering for Doorways, the corps’ emergency relief space that offers relief assessment, free groceries and hampers. “Chris stocks the pantry, helps with food deliveries and does the bread run from the local bakery,” Nathan added.
Chris is a ‘jack of all trades’ at Victor Harbor Salvos, helping with maintenance work around the site and even answering security calls. Chris is indispensable to the corps’ operations and has become known for his generosity.
“My wife started working for Victor Harbor Corps as a volunteer emergency relief worker,” Chris explained. “I became a volunteer sorting and stacking and packing food. Then I also volunteered for SAES (Salvation Army Emergency Services) as I saw the good work they did.”
(From left) Captain Nathan Hodges, Victor Harbor Corps volunteer Chris Marshall, and fellow Country Fire Service personnel Emily Pettman (Hindmarsh Valley CFS Captain) and Nathan Vanzo at the awards presentation.
Chris’ recent recognition comes for his service fighting fires with the CFS on Kangaroo Island during the Black Summer disaster of 2019. Dry lightning strikes resulted in fires that burned for six weeks, destroying 211,474 hectares across the island.
“The first trip over with CFS was only meant to be a short one,” Chris said. “We were there when the fire broke out and were involved in protecting assets. Some were successful and many times we were not.”
The fires destroyed 56 homes, injured 23 firefighters and tragically claimed the lives of two men. Chris helped fight the fires with the CFS on two occasions and was fed by the SAES team while there.
“Seeing the Salvation Army Emergency Services teams at work has inspired me to help in that area with feeding people in emergencies when I am not out with the CFS,” Chris said.
“Through Chris, we’ve developed a really good relationship with the Hindmarsh Valley CFS,” Nathan explained. “The CFS has partnered with Victor Harbor Salvos to provide Christmas hampers to our community, and that’s a really good relationship we now have. Chris has helped build a stronger community connection with the CFS.”
After eight years of volunteering with the Salvos, it’s the sense of need that drives Chris and the difference he can make.
“(It’s) a sense of being able to help the community during a time of extreme occurrences,” Chris said. “I serve with Salvos because I have a sense of wanting to help those who need food and shelter.”
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