MORE than half a century of service with the NSW Rural Fire Service has landed Riverina man Frank Austin on this year's Queen's Birthday Honours list.
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Mr Austin has received an Australian Fire Service Medal after joining the Mundarlo Rural Fire Brigade in 1960, and never looking back.
From his role as President of the brigade in 2003 and Permit Officer in 2018, to Deputy Captain between 1985 and 1996 and his current captaincy at Mundarlo RFB, Mr Austin has tended to countless motor accidents and fires.
As recently as the 2018/19 fire season, Mr Austin was part of an out of area strike team that attended fires in the Tumut and Talbingo region within Kosciusko National Park.
"To be honest, I feel quite embarrassed by it because I didn't have any intention of getting an award," he said.
"I originally joined up because I felt that having a strong fire brigade would help protect not only my property, but others, and I wanted to be a part of that."
Mr Austin has a keen interest in recruiting younger members to the service to follow in his footsteps.
"There is definitely a shortage of people with experience or drive to join the RFS, and I hope I can help change the minds of some," he said.
"But I intend to keep going as long as I can, I actually said some years ago that if you think it's my time to go, just give me a tap on the shoulder."