RURAL Fire Service members formed a guard of honour outside St John`s Anglican Church in Taree as a final farewell to former fire control 0fficer for the Greater Taree region, Ron Drury AFSM. Mr Drury died last Wednesday, at the age of 86, and was privately cremated after a service at St Johns on Monday morning.
A former resident of Lansdowne, he had lived in Taree in more recent times. Mr Drury was the first fire control officer appointed by council, in 1978, at a time when local government councils had responsibility for providing bushfire services. Mr Drury had the responsibility of forming the first local brigades, which previously had been simple associations of neighbouring farmers, using the most basic of equipment. His era was the forerunner of the modern NSW Rural Fire Service as is known today. Mr Drury held the fire control officers position for just over 14 years until his retirement in 1992. when he was succeeded by Mr Rod COX. Mr Drury was also one of a group who formed the Fire Control Officers Association, and was its president for a number of years. He was awarded the Australian Fire Service Medal recognising service over many years to bushfire brigades.
He is survived by his Wife Millie and family Dianne and Rod, Paul and Ros, Meryl and John, and Alison and Graham (deceased), as well as his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
