By BRIDGET SCOTT
CITY of Casey worker Tom Herter described it as ‘pretty humbling’ when he was presented with a National Emergency Medal at a council meeting last week.
Mr Herter was commended for his work during the Black Saturday Bush Fires, which caused more than 170 deaths and left more than 2000 homes destroyed.
Mr Herter worked in both the Yarra Ranges and in King Lake, helping to create crime scenes, remove affected animals and deliver much-needed resources to fire-affected residents.
The former policeman said he had been home from the Yarra Ranges for about two hours, when the Army Reserve called and he was deployed to King Lake.
The award which Tom received on Tuesday 2 July recognised his work which went above and beyond the call of duties.
City of Casey mayor Amanda Stapledon presented him with his medal at a council meeting last week.
Mr Herter is currently an employee of the City of Casey, and is also a member of the Army Reserve.
Mr Herter spoke modestly about the work he did during the natural disaster.
“It was not a pleasant experience,” he said.
“But others are less fortunate and you must put your own issues aside and do it for the greater good.”
A National Emergency Medal is proclaimed by the Queen and must satisfy a criterion by a minimum amount of days.
Mr Herter got a letter on 23 May from the Governor-General, to say that the nomination for his award was accepted.
