Media release – Tasmanian Fire Service, 26 January 2022
Tasmania Fire Service members recognised in Australia Day Honours 2022
Australia Day Honours will be awarded to three members of Tasmania Fire Service today.
The Australian Fire Service Medal, which recognises distinguished service by members (paid and volunteer) of Australian fire services, will be presented to:
• Matthew Buck
• Graeme Jones
• Ian Sauer.
Congratulating the trio on their achievement, Chief Officer Dermot Barry said: “On behalf of Tasmania Fire Service, I congratulate Matthew Buck, Graeme Jones, and Ian Sauer as they are recognised in the Australia Day Honours today.”
• Matthew Buck commenced volunteering for the Tasmania Fire Service in 1995, when he was employed as a Sergeant with Tasmania Police. Matthew has proven experience supporting the community in a broad cross section of circumstances and has a meritorious commitment to many TFS affiliated charities.
• Ian Sauer is a long-serving and dedicated volunteer of the Pipers Brook Brigade, and the current Chair of the State Fire Management Council. Ian has a wealth of knowledge and experience in relation to vegetation fire management in Tasmania.
• Graeme Jones is a long-standing volunteer member of Tasmania Fire Service and was one of the founding members of the Ridgley Fire Brigade. Graeme is a wellrespected stalwart with a passion for developing other firefighters and the Junior and Cadet Programs.
“Collectively, today I thank Matthew, Graeme and Ian for their distinguished service to the Tasmania Fire Service,” said Chief Officer Barry. “The long-term volunteering history demonstrated by each is a proven example of their selfless ongoing support of our community. “Their tireless dedication and commitment make each of them invaluable members of our fire service, and very worthy recipients of the Australian Fire Service Medal today.”
Matthew Buck joined as a TFS volunteer at George Town Brigade in 1995, when he was employed as a Sergeant for Tasmania Police. Matthew has held various positions, including:
• In 1999 he was elected Fourth Officer; he was instrumental in coordinating evolutionary interagency exercises and simulated training within the Dalrymple Group.
• In 2000 he transferred to Prospect Brigade; he was instrumental in developing and influencing newer members and promoting training for the Prospect Brigade members.
• In 2003 he was elected as Brigade Officer; he made positive improvements to the culture within Prospect Brigade.
• During this time Matthew demonstrated his commitment to the wider community, playing an instrumental part in a fundraiser for the Boxing Day Tsunami disaster, raising over $5,000 in a weekend. Further, he was a founding member of the Appin Hall Children’s Foundation / Prospect Brigade working partnership. His community engagement went on for many years within the brigade, with the coordination of many community events.
• In 2010, in partnership with three other emergency service officers, Matthew devoted approximately 18 months to fundraise and promote the charity Operation Rescue Assist East Timor and in 2011 he spent 8 days in East Timor training the Timorese Fire Brigade in RCR patient extraction and scene management.
• In 2011, Matthew was appointed First Officer; for over a decade he consistently provided leadership and direction to a very busy retained brigade.
• Matthew has participated in multiple task forces, including deployments to Victoria in 2006, Black Saturday 2009, and Task Force Leader for the CFA in the NW fires in 2020.
• Matthew has been a figurehead for mental health. Around 10 years ago he researched and formed a chapter in Launceston of the International firefighter motorcycle club ‘Red Knights’, of which he is President. The club aims to improve welfare and camaraderie amongst fire fighters and raise money for charities.
Graeme Jones commenced with the Tasmania Fire Service as one of the founding members of the Ridgley Fire Brigade in 1978. In 1991 he was appointed as 2nd Officer – a position he held for six years.
Graeme has held various positions during his career, and makes a valuable contribution to many initiatives, including:
• Current Fire Permit Officer
• Member of the Tasmania Volunteer Association from 2003-2016, including a period as a member of the State Council for several years.
• North-West representative in the development of the Statewide Junior and Cadet Program in 2012, instrumental in establishing the program.
• Long serving committee member of the North-West Family Fun Day which is now entering its 50th year – committed to the Junior and Cadet Program
• Long standing member of the TFS Museum Society – with a passion for restoring decommissioned TFS vehicle.
• Member of the newly formed North-West Regional Logistics Support Brigade – instrumental in helping this Brigade to become operational.
Ian Sauer is a long-serving volunteer of Tasmania Fire Service. He is a current Fire Permit Officer and active member of the Pipers Brook Brigade. He has previously held various positions including Brigade Chief, Firefighter and 4th Officer. Ian has been the Chair of the State Fire Management Council since 2014, and makes a committed and dedicated contribution to many whole-of-Government initiatives, including:
• Nation leading Fuel Reduction Program, aimed at reducing bushfire risk across Tasmania. Ian has been a member of the Fuel Reduction Program Steering Committee since inception.
• Successful Red Hot Tips program, aimed at helping farmers and rural landholders actively manage their bushfire risk and build capacity in planned burning. Ian holds the position of Chair of the Red Hot Tips Advisory Group.
• Steering Committee Member for the review the Fire Permit System in Tasmania.
• Facilitating collection of input into reviews including the Fire Service Act Review, Fire Permit Review, and Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements. Ian has previously received the National Medal 2000, National Medal Clasp 25 years 2009, TFS Volunteer Medal 2010.
