By Violet Li
Cranbourne Rotary Club’s ex-president Garry Luxford has been recognised for his volunteer contributions in the past 60 years on a national stage.
After winning the Victorian Rotary Emergency Services Community Award (RESCA) Volunteer Category in August of this year, Garry was awarded the National RESCA Officer of the Year in the Volunteer Category in Canberra in December
He was commended for his 58 years of volunteer service at the Tooradin Country Fire Authority (CFA). He first started volunteering when he was 18. He held roles including captain of the Warneet Fire Brigade for a decade and group officer of the Cranbourne Fire Brigade Group for another ten years.
“His commitment extended to rebuilding communities post-disaster, notably after the Bunyip and Garfield fires, where he assisted with debris clearance and reconstruction effort,” the award statement says.
“Beyond firefighting, Garry’s impact spans diverse community roles. He is a Justice of the Peace, overseeing the Cranbourne Signing Centre, and has been a devoted Rotarian for 26 years, serving as club president twice. His initiatives include innovative fundraising projects like a scrap metal program benefiting local causes.
“Garry’s contributions have garnered numerous accolades, including life memberships and national medals from the CFA, highlighting his selfless service ethos.
“A compassionate listener and mentor, Garry remains a steadfast pillar, offering ongoing support to those in need, exemplifying his motto of Serving above Self.”
Looking back, Garry believed that volunteering was a family thing.
“My family used to volunteer in Springvale. I think it’s just a family thing. It was to give back to the community,” he said.
“And my personal feeling about volunteering is that everyone should volunteer in some way.
“Everyone should volunteer. If people didn’t volunteer, we couldn’t afford it.
“I think, you also feel better in yourself that you can give back.”
To Garry, volunteering means continuous giving and he hasn’t stopped.
He said he would continue to give back.
Vic RESCA celebrates the outstanding dedication of paid and volunteer emergency service workers in Victoria who go above and beyond the call of duty.
Nominations for the 2025 Vic RESCA Awards open on 1 March 2025 and close on 30 April 2025.
