AU Engine

Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

This King’s Birthday four highly regarded CFA members have been awarded an Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM), in recognition of their outstanding service to CFA and their communities.

Submitted by	CFA Media

Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

Over four decades, Peter Irving has consistently shown operational leadership, and an unwavering commitment to volunteerism and public safety, recently earning well-deserved acknowledgement of an Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM).

Peter was recognised in today’s King’s Birthdays Honours for his distinguished service of over 41 years with Edenhope Fire Brigade and his broader contribution to community and firefighter safety.

Throughout this time, Peter has worn many hats and currently serves as their 1st Lieutenant and has held a continuous appointment as Edenhope Group Officer since 2006. Previously he has been a 2nd and 3rd Lieutenant.

“When I got told the news, I was shocked, and very humbled by it. It took me a fair while to comprehend it. Volunteering is just something that I have a strong passion for,” Peter said.

“I am just very, very passionate about the red fire truck and where it sits in the community and the need for it.

“Our communities are so vulnerable, and I see the damage that fires do. You can see what happens in a matter of half an hour – like what we saw in Natimuk this year.

“I’m a retired farmer, and it was just a done thing when I was growing up, to join CFA. As farmers we contend with losing stock, sheds, properties, farming assets – there can be so much destruction.”

As a Group Officer, endorsed Strike Team Leader and Sector Commander, Peter has managed responses to numerous large-scale fire events across Western Victoria. He is regularly the first to arrive at incidents, and if not required in a command role, he is hands-on, on the fireground.

Peter has earned the respect of his peers and emergency services counterparts for his calm and courageous leadership under pressure, his expert coordination of complex fire responses, and his strong professionalism and adaptability.

A fire that remains front of mind for Peter was the blue gum plantation fire that broke out near Kadnook, just 15 kilometres southeast of Edenhope in 2024, where he contributed greatly.

“I remember it clearly, it was the Edenhope show day, and we always take a pumper down there. I was there with our Captain and the next thing we knew the pager went off,” Peter said.

“We spun around to head to the fire shed right next door and saw a massive column of smoke. It extremely challenging conditions that day, with a strong northerly wind on a Total Fire ban day.

“One home was imminently going to be impacted, before it headed straight into the blue gum plantation, and traveling close to four kilometres – I couldn’t believe it.”

With the arrival of more volunteers, Peter quickly transitioned from asset protection duties to incident management as Incident Controller, coordinating a growing response with limited communications due to poor mobile and radio reception.

Despite many challenges, Peter successfully directed strike teams, air support, and heavy machinery through difficult and steep terrain, leveraging his local knowledge to strategically contain the fire.

His timely communication with the Horsham Incident Control Centre enabled critical warnings to be issued to communities in the path of the fire.

‘We knew it was going to make a sizeable run with a westerly wind change which would have pushed it towards Harrow and Connewirricoo.” Peter said.

“The fire remained active for seven weeks with persistent flare-ups due to mouldering red gums and burning peat.”

His leadership and commitment were again highlighted in his roles during the confronting Dadswells Bridge fire in the Grampians in February 2024, and the 2022 fires in Langkoop-Poolaijelo.

As a Group Officer for more than 20 years, Peter has seen both Victoria and CFA evolve, and although the regional population is declining and impacting volunteerism across many organisations, he has seen first-hand how major enhancements have helped the fire service.

“When I first started, the notion of aircraft was a bit of a novelty, but now they are a critically important part of fighting fires. Aircraft has changed how we do things, and we just need to continue having alternative methods to fighting fires,” Peter said.

Peter has actively contributed to brigade governance and training, also serving as Brigade Secretary and Treasurer since 2014, and Brigade Training Officer since 2010, roles which require substantial time and commitment to the development of volunteer capability.

“It all stems from that passion, and safety is so important in the work that we do. We just need to be on our guard for risk assessment all the time – especially for things like entrapment and hazardous trees,” Peter said.

“We just need to keep drumming it in. You just have to be so aware of what goes on. What is a red gum for us is another obstacle in another area of Victoria.”

In addition to his brigade responsibilities, Peter has contributed significantly to the advancement of CFA volunteers through his involvement as a delegate with Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria (VFBV) since 2008, and in May 2022, he was elected President of the District 17 Branch.

“We just need to always be recognising our volunteers and what they do,” Peter said.

Submitted by	CFA media

Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan AFSM

CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan AFSM has been awarded the Australian Fire Service Medal in today’s King’s Birthday Honours in recognition of his more than two decades of distinguished service to fire and emergency management across Victoria and NSW.

Submitted by	CFA Media

Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

Photo: Stock and Land

Rodney McErvale has been recognised with the Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM) for his outstanding service to CFA and the communities of Raglan, Beaufort and surrounds.

Rodney has dedicated 37 years to CFA, responding to over 500 incidents in that time, including 36 incidents in 2025 alone.

Throughout his service, he has held the roles of a firefighter, Lieutenant, Raglan Captain, Deputy Group Officer and Beaufort Group Officer, giving thousands of hours to support local communities and emergency response across Victoria.

Rodney said receiving the AFSM was never on his radar.

“It’s a great honour, but it’s also a reflection of the people I’ve served alongside over many years,” Rodney said.

“CFA is built on teamwork, and I’ve been fortunate to work with so many dedicated people who give so much to their communities.”

Rodney’s leadership was tested during the 2009 summer bushfires, where he served as a Sector Commander in the Healesville area, north-east of Melbourne.

For his leadership and dedication during this deployment, he was awarded the National Emergency Medal.

“The bushfires in 2009 were an incredibly difficult time for so many communities and firefighters,” Rodney said.

“You carry those experiences with you, but they also reinforce why training, leadership and community connection are so important.”

Rodney said one of the most rewarding aspects of his CFA journey has been helping younger members gain experience and develop into future leaders.

“I was lucky to have people who were prepared to teach me, show me things and give me opportunities when I was young,” Rodney said.

“If you’ve got young, keen people, you’ve got to let them have a go under guidance. You can do all the training in the world, but you can’t beat real-world experience.”

Beyond the fireground, Rodney has played an important role in helping communities record and preserve their experiences after major fires.

His strong connection to local communities led him to help facilitate projects documenting the 2019 Lexton fire and the 2024 Bayindeen-Rocky Road fires, capturing the voices of those directly affected.

Those projects led to the publication of two books, Heat, Help and Healing, which documented the 2019 Lexton Fire, and Scarred, which captured community stories from the 2024 Bayindeen-Rocky Road fires.

Through these initiatives, Rodney also helped secure donations for local committee groups, ensuring funds were reinvested directly into affected communities.

“It’s important that these stories are not lost,” Rodney said.

“Fires have a lasting impact, but they also show the strength of local communities and the way people support each other through recovery.”

Rodney said the support of family, fellow volunteers and local communities had been central to his time with CFA.

“No one does this alone,” Rodney said.

“It has been a privilege to serve and to help where I can.”

Submitted by	CFA Media

Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

For nearly two decades, Diamond Creek’s Fiona Macken has been a driving force behind community safety, frontline emergency response, and one of the most significant volunteer led medical initiatives in Victoria’s history.

Submitted by	CFA Media

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force is investigating a fatal workplace incident that occurred on 5 June 2026.

A 62-year-old man, who was working on a cattle station approximately 150 km south of Katherine at the time, suffered fatal injuries in the course of his work.

Emergency services attended; however, the man was declared deceased at the scene.

Investigations are ongoing, with members of the Northern Investigation Unit having carriage of the incident.

NT WorkSafe and the Coroner’s Office have been notified.

Source: Tasmania Police

Cyclist injured in collision with police vehicle

Monday, 8 June 2026 – 8:55 am.

A cyclist has been injured in a collision with a police vehicle at St Helens last night (Sunday, 7 June).
The incident happened about 8.30pm near the intersection of Jason Street and the Tasman Highway.
A woman riding a motorised bicycle sustained serious, but non life-threatening injuries.
She received initial treatment at St Helens District Hospital, before being transferred to Royal Hobart Hospital.
There were no other physical injuries.
Investigations into the incident are continuing and police are calling on anyone with information, or who may have witnessed the incident, to contact them on 131 444.
As is normal practice in these circumstances, a Professional Standards investigation will be conducted into the incident to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force would like to send its sincerest congratulations to Superintendent Mark Grieve who has been recognised with the most prestigious award for police officers across Australia, the Australian Police Medal.

The Australian Police Medal was established in 1986 to recognise those who have rendered distinguished service as a member of an Australian police force.

With a career spanning just over two decades, Superintendent Grieve has demonstrated what it takes to be recognised with this type of award.

Superintendent Grieve has enjoyed a storied career with the NT Police Force since joining in August 2004 and is quickly approaching 22 years of serving the community.

Throughout his career, Superintendent Grieve has carried out exemplary work over a multitude of roles across Tennant Creek, Palmerston, Casuarina and Darwin.

These roles have included general duties policing, Major Crime, Palmerston and Tennant Creek Investigation Units, the Special References Unit, and Domestic Violence and Sex Crimes.

In his role as Superintendent of Crime Intelligence Command, he has taken on more responsibility and oversight of serious and complex matters with aplomb and has also become a key figurehead in relation to the Peter Falconio investigation, which marks its 25^th anniversary next month.

To Territorians, Superintendent Grieve has become a familiar face when speaking on issues and has always offered a calm and steady presence in his press conferences while discussing complex investigations.

Upon hearing the news he would be awarded the coveted medal, Superintendent Grieve said it was an honour and privilege to be recognised with something so prestigious.

“I feel immensely proud that I was firstly nominated and ultimately decided that I would receive the highest honour for police in Australia.

“Throughout my career with the Northern Territory Police Force, I have been fortunate to lead dedicated teams in some of the Territory’s most complex and demanding environments.

“I have been guided throughout my career by the values of integrity, professionalism, accountability, and respect. I have been fortunate to work alongside outstanding colleagues, mentors, and community leaders who have demonstrated the importance of listening, leading by example, and putting the community first.

“The resilience and strength shown by many Territory communities have also been a constant source of inspiration.

“Serving the Northern Territory has been a privilege I have never once taken for granted and I feel so lucky I can continue to do so.”

Police Commissioner Martin Dole offered his congratulations and well-wishes to Superintendent Grieve.

“Superintendent Grieve is a model Territorian cop and someone emerging police and emerging leaders can look up to.

“Throughout his successful career with the Northern Territory Police Force, he has displayed admirable dedication, versatility, patience and care.

“On behalf of NT Police, I would like to extend the warmest congratulations to Superintendent Grieve in receiving this wonderful honour.

Source: Prime Minister of Australia

CORINNE MULHOLLAND, SENATOR FOR QUEENSLAND: Welcome to the sunny Sunshine Coast, particularly to our Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. It is wonderful to have you here at the Caloundra Urgent Care Clinic. Can I also say a big welcome to the team from Ochre Health, including Hamish and Dr. Eric, as well, and Ashley, who’s going to be the new nurse here at the clinic. It’s wonderful to have you all here. It is exciting to be here for a sneak peek through the soon to be opened Caloundra Urgent Care Clinic. The Labor Party promised two new Urgent Care Clinics at the last Federal Election. We’ve already delivered one at Buderim, which has been open since December. It’s seen over 6500 patients, and we’re just about to open this new centre here at Caloundra, which is going to be seeing thousands of patients very soon. So, we’re very, very excited for this announcement. I’m so excited to have the Prime Minister here for a very sneak peek through. But to hear a little bit more about the clinic, can I please introduce Hamish from Ochre Health.

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Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Northern Territory Police has responded to a fatal crash involving a competitor in the Finke Desert Race.

About 12.40pm emergency services received a report that a motorcycle rider had crashed on today’s first leg of the race from Alice Springs to Aputula.

Police attended and commenced CPR before St John Ambulance officers arrived and continued treatment. However, despite their best efforts, the rider tragically passed away at the scene.

Police have declared a crime scene and Major Crash investigators have taken carriage of the incident.

The circumstances surrounding the crash are under active investigation and a report will be prepared for the Coroner.

Finke Desert Race NT Police Commander Michael Budge said it is a tragic situation for all involved.

“Our thoughts are with the rider’s family, friends and all involved with the event at this difficult time.”