Birthday honour for Vince

Senior Captain at Umina Fire Station, Mr Vince Weigold, has been awarded the Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM) on the Queen's Birthday honours list.

The local firefighter has won many commendations over the years for his extensive service to the community.

He was nominated for an Australia Day award in 2003 by his deputy Ross Beckley for his "commitment to the community".

After a 23-year career in the NSW Fire brigade, he has risen to level of senior captain of the Umina Fire Station with 22 men under his command.

He was active in organising the NSWFB zone firefighter championships held at Ettalong and Swansea.

He is highly regarded within the fire brigade for his promotion of fire safety awareness to pre-schools and the general community.

Vince also plays the role of Santa Claus in the Peninsula area, and he holds the title for most Santa Claus visits by an individual in the NSWFB.

Vince's "Santa run" is held every Christmas in his Bedford vintage fire engine and in 2001 he made 55 Santa visits to the old and young.

At Easter time, Vince has also played the Easter bunny for Umina Mall Chemist baby club for the last 10 years.

Mr Weigold has aided the local RSL club on Anzac day, attending the dawn service and annual march through Woy Woy with fellow firefighters.

In his service to the NSWFB public relations committee, he has helped organise the attendance of firefighting staff and equipment to many events held across the Central Coast as well as being involved with the NSWFB Annual Ball.

He has been awarded the NSWFB National Medal of Service (1995), National Armed Services Medal (2001), inaugural Peninsula Chamber of Commerce Award (1999), NSWFB Exceptional service award (2000), Certificate from the Premier for the January 1994 bush fires, and a certificate from Gosford City Council for the 2001-2002 bush fires.

Letter, June 19