Community & Business
25 August, 2025
Cambooya firie Volunteer of the Year
John Archer from the Cambooya Rural Fire Brigade was named 2025 South-Western Region Volunteer of the Year during Rural Fire Service Queensland (RFSQ) Week in late July.
Mr Archer received the award at a ceremony held at the Felton/Broxburn Rural Fire Brigade which was attended by Member for Condamine Pat Weir and Toowoomba Region Mayor Geoff McDonald.
Mr Weir represented the Minister for Local Government and Water, and Minister for Fire, Disaster Recovery and Volunteers, Ann Leahy.
Mr Weir said the award Mr Archer received reflects the respect and admiration the recipient has earned from his peers, as well as the significant impact he has had on the brigade and community.
“Congratulations and thank you to all who serve the RFSQ,” Mr Weir said.
As well as Mr Archer’s award, several National Emergency Medals were presented for service during the 2019–2020 bushfires, along with National Medals for long service, for more than 15 years of service to the RFSQ.
The ceremony also saw two appliances handed over to the Felton Broxburn and the Goombungee brigades.
Fellow Cambooya Rural Fire Brigade member Tamara Atwood delivered a volunteer speech at the event.
Other Rural Fire Brigades in the Toowoomba Region include Nobby, Southbrook, Gowrie Little Plain, Cabarlah and Hampton.
Rural Fire Service Week saw more than 27,000 volunteers being commended for their dedication to the service.
Mr Weir said the LNP government continues to support Queensland’s 1,400-plus brigades, with more than $36 million allocated for new and replacement trucks and stations.
