Firey family

By Bridget Brady
THE Allans are synonymous with the Devon Meadows Fire Brigade.
Between John Allan, his wife, Gwyn, and their son Mark, they have racked up an impressive 80 years of service to the brigade- a service they say is born from the desire to contribute to their community.
The three were honoured for their milestone commitment to the brigade at a recent presentation, and were each awarded with a National Medal. But the honours did not stop there. John became a CFA honorary life member and Mark joined his mother and father to become a life member of the Devon Meadows Fire Brigade.
John, who joined the brigade in 1977, said part of his motivation to sign up was to try and help others after he lost three members of his family in a car accident.
John has held numerous positions in the management team, including being captain of the brigade for 14 years.
Mark joined as a junior when he was 11 years old and moved to the senior ranks on his 16th birthday. He now works for the CFA and said he was lucky to make a career out of a hobby. Mark’s two other siblings have all been members of the brigade and for mum Gwyn, who has been president of the Devon Meadows Ladies’ Auxiliary, it was a case of “you may as well join the family and be in it”.
“And I just kept coming back,” she said.
John and Gwyn have lived in Devon Meadows for 34 years, and have been active members of the community in many other groups and associations.
“I used to sit back and say ‘now I know I’ve got to be somewhere tonight, but I can’t think where it is’,” John said.
“If you get involved, you get to know a lot of people.”
Mark said having three members of one family in the brigade did not hinder their ability to carry out their duties.
“We’re there to do a job,” Mark said.
“As a family we have dedicated a lot of time to serving our community, but we enjoy it and wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Mark will take up a role at Tooradin as of today, and Gwyn said she and John would carry on their duties.
Gwyn said should her family one day stop their service to the brigade they would be missed.
“For five minutes,” John laughed.