Station Commander Chris Youings and Firefighter Sabrina Aekins led the delegation, presenting Wahgunyah Factory Manager Jean Carlo De Lima with a Certificate of Appreciation and a commemorative plaque.
The strong bond between the fire station and the factory was exemplified as Captain Youings and several members of Station 268 also work at the Nestle-owned facility.
This unique connection has fostered a great working relationship, prompting the need to publicly acknowledge Uncle Tobys/Nestle’s consistent assistance to Fire and Rescue Corowa 268 Station.
Captain Youings highlighted the critical nature of their work and praised the factory’s facilitative approach during emergencies.
“We could be called out at any moment, and they have always been really facilitating with us,” he said.
“When I got back from the 2019/20 bushfires, they put on a small event, displayed photos, and welcomed us back.
“We are a very busy station involved in both floods and fires, so the support is appreciated. We’re already up to 147 calls this year.”
Factory Manager Jean Carlo De Lima expressed the importance of being closely connected to the community.
“We are one of the biggest employers in the region—it is our social responsibility to have that strong relationship,” he said.
“To be recognised is quite a proud moment for us. As a company, we want to be able to support our staff, and as we are aware, an emergency can happen at any moment.”
Highlighting just how proactive Station 268 Corowa is, earlier this year several Corowa members received the National Emergency Medal including Captain Youings. The medal serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by firefighters and their families during the 2019/2020 bushfires.
