Barbara Johnston is one of the 2018 recipients of a Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the communities of Wagga. A member of the Currawarna Rural Fire Brigade, Mrs Johnston is very proud of the position.

“Over the years, my husband was captain of the rural fire brigade and this was before mobiles,” she said.

“He would get a call and go straight to the fire so I would just get on the phone and ring. I used to freak out if I wasn’t able to get through to people or they couldn’t help.” 

When they were handing out 50-year long service medal, it was going to all these men, Mrs Johnston said.

“When they said my name and I said ‘I have never fought a fire’, but it was for all the support services,” she said. 

Now her son is the captain, Mrs Johnston continues to jump on the phone and makes the calls as service isn’t always reliable when it comes to the text alerts. 

“So far, touch wood, we haven't had one this year,” she said. “Often they will get called out to car fires or accidents.” 

One of the most heartbreaking moments was when the Currawarna store went up in flames. 

“I can remember being quite devastated,” Mrs Johnston said.

Mrs Johnston said she was straight to the point when making the rounds. 

“Barb here, there’s a fire,” she would say. “I have a lot of these phone numbers in my head and when I see the smoke they come straight to mind.” 

Mrs Johnston said although she never fought a fire she almost came close to it when a blaze on a neighbouring property looked like it would jump the road. 

“The wind was blowing it up towards me,” she said.

“I got the two sprinklers going and managed to contact my son who said ‘it was calming down’.

“I saw Kay [a friend] outside and she said ‘I thought it’s heading towards Barb and she is probably on the phone so she might need help’.” 

Mrs Johnston has also done extensive work with the Euberta branch of the Country Women’s Association and the Mangain Red Cross. 

Mrs Johnston said she feels extremely honoured to receive an OAM and would like to thank all the people who have helped her along the way.

“I have always enjoyed my time volunteering and appreciate and value the wonderful friendships that I have made with those fellow volunteers,” she said.

“I also thank all those executive, committee, and branch members who have worked with me over many, many years – this award also belongs to you.” 

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