Now, Deputy Group Officer Mr Renkin took it upon himself to drive committees to create three things.
The first was a digital honour board. One now sits proudly on the wall of the Benalla Fire Station.
He also wanted to get the Benalla Local Command Facility named in honour of long-term volunteer, the late Jack Harrison.
That was something he, and his committee, has also achieved.
The third thing was to have a book published documenting the history of the Benalla Fire Brigade.
And, on Wednesday, July 8 that book will be officially released.
Mr Renkin said part one of the history already existed.
“The original history was done from 1940 to 1990, written by Harold Mundy,” Mr Renkin said.
And that book has been republished as part-one of the new book.
Meaning the entire history of the Benalla group from 1940 to present day is featured in the new publication.
“I was group officer for 26 years and I always wanted to record the history of the Benalla group, but I never had the time,” Mr Renkin said.
“So I made the decision to stand down to get it written.”
Mr Renkin and his committee approached local historian Barry O’Connor to see if he was happy to pen the book, covering the years 1990-2025.
“Initially, Barry said no, he was too busy,” Mr Renkin said.
“And then Barry being Barry, he said, yep nah, I'll do it.
“And when he says he'll do something, he does it. He spent over 1000 hours researching.
“We asked every brigade in the group to submit their own history.
“But that wasn’t good enough for Barry, and he researched a lot more, even asking for a copy of the minutes from every (monthly) meeting the group has had over the years.”
Mr Renkin said the pages in the book include some controversy.
“The fact that that stuff's in there, people can choose whether they read it or not,” he said.
“And they can form their own opinion whether it's right or wrong.
“But I think it'll help sell the book because it's controversial in places.”
Mr Renkin said that as well as a well-researched history and many passages that will spark people’s memories, there are also some “brilliant” photos.
The book is having an official launch at the Benalla Fire Station on Wednesday, July 8 starting at 5.30pm – and the whole community is invited.
The book ‘We’re on our way ... again’ named as a continuation of the original book ‘We’re on our way’ is only $50.
Attendees at the launch can buy one of cash, or via EFTPOS.
If you are unable to make it to the launch, you can pop past the fire station any time it is open and pop in to buy one. Or you can call the station on 5762 2347 and arrange to pick on up.
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