Trafalgar resident Darren Wallace was awarded with a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in last month’s King’s Birthday honours, recognising his service to the local community through a range of roles over the past 35 years.
When he first learnt he would be receiving the award, Darren said he had to read it a few times to take it all in.
“As the King’s Birthday approached, I’ve had mixed emotions (about the award) including imposter syndrome,” he said.
“On reflection, when I look back at the past 35 years, what I’ve achieved has obviously ticked the criteria boxes of the award. I’ve written many CFA award applications-I just never considered someone would write one for me, so thank you, whoever you are.”
Darren’s OAM recognised his lengthy service with the CFA, both with the Trafalgar brigade and as a member of the Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria board, his time on school council for Trafalgar primary and high schools, involvement with the Community Bank Trafalgar and District, and his service as a Baw Baw Shire councillor.
Darren became involved with the school council and CFA about 35 years ago, both for very different reasons.
“At the time my son was starting primary school and I thought, if the teachers could see that I’m interested in my child’s education, then they would be too,” Darren explained.
“That turned into 15 years all up. Six on the primary school council and nine on the secondary school council, including five years as school council president.”
Darren said there were many highlight moments.
“I was on the primary school council when the roof went from flat to pitched, I was on the secondary school council when the funding was secured to extend the ECA centre, and I was school council president during the 50-year celebrations of the school.”
Joining the CFA was a different story, one born out of a simple favour for some friends.
“Two of my mates who I played tennis within Trafalgar were both members of the fire brigade running team,” Darren recalled. “The only issue was, I’d need to join the brigade to be able to run.”
Six years later, Darren was secretary of Trafalgar Fire Brigade. Another six years on, he was named brigade captain, a position he held for 10 years.
Darren is now District 9 State councillor and sits on the Board of Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria, the peak body representing CFA volunteers.
“Becoming captain of the Trafalgar brigade was certainly a highlight along with leading a team of 15 local CFA members to fight the Tasmanian fires in 2015,” Darren said.
“We were located in the region that suffered the most damage, the area between Dunalley and Eaglehawk Neck.”
Darren served the east ward on Baw Baw Shire Council from 2016 to 2024.
He said standout moments included opening the Turra Pavilion and creating a K-12 school precinct with the opening of a new kindergarten.
Another highlight was chairing the Yarragon development committee, which worked through planning and development of the Angela Malacarne Park and Dowton Park Pavilion Upgrade.
When asked what inspired him to serve the Trafalgar community, Mr Wallace said he wasn’t sure, just that it was something he did.
“I’m not sure, many might say it’s some form of illness,” he joked.
“Seriously though, I’m born and bred Trafalgar, it’s just in me.”
Darren encouraged more people to volunteer in their community, but emphasised the importance of having support from the people you love.
“For those who want to get involved, do it. You learn so much about yourself and your community along the way,” he said.
“You don’t do this alone; (you need to) get your family’s support as they will spend many hours or days without you, in my case. I couldn’t have done any of this without the support of my wife and family. I may have done the work, but I believe they deserve the award.”
Source: Warragul Gazette
(Editor: Darren joins a select group of Trafalgar residents who also have been awarded the OAM after their names; they being Mick Bourke, Dr James Brown, Michael Fozard, Dorothy Hoare, Ray James, David Williams, Dookie Brock (dec’d) plus a former Trafalgar resident, Evelyn Margaret Mary ’Judy’ Hall).
