FAMILY and friends of Jimboomba firefighting legend Bernie Savage gathered to unveil his memorial plaque at Rotary Park in a permanent monument for the town to pay tribute to him.
Mr Savage, a well-known local and former captain of the Jimboomba and Greenbank fire stations, died in September 2020.
There was a strong turnout for the plaque unveiling, with Mr Savage's wife Marilyn joined by the couple's children, his siblings and their families.
Daughter Anna Savage said it was an emotional day for the family, but one which reminded them of their father's standing in the town.
"It was really lovely, very nice," Ms Savage said.
"It was emotional, definitely, but also a happy occasion. It was a proud moment and a reminder that dad was so well known in the community."
Jimboomba Rotary Club members held a morning tea afterwards.
Also among the crowd was Anne Armstrong, whose husband Eric is memorialized with a plaque next to that of Mr Savage.
Mr Armstrong's plaque was unveiled in Rotary Park in 2018.
Mr Savage came to the area in 1985 when he worked for agricultural machinery company Massey Ferguson.
He became involved with the rural fire brigade after helping a man put out a grass fire on Beaudesert Road in 1990.
"I signed up because I wanted to do something to assist the community I live in," he said in 2018 on Yellow Ribbon Day, which celebrated the state's volunteers in the Rural Fire Service.
"It is a great way to help the community and learn different skills.
"We don't do the job for any thanks, we do it because it is our community."
Mr Savage received the top fire service honour, the Australian Fire Service Medal in 2009.
He was selected as a torch bearer in the Commonwealth Games Queen's baton relay in 2018.
Emergency services personnel lined the streets for his funeral last October. Ms Savage said at the time her heart exploded with gratitude.
Mr Savage was bitten by the travel bug and journeyed across the globe with his wife.
They collected hat pins at 47 countries they visited.
Plans to visit the Mediterranean were put on hold because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mr Savage continued to volunteer for the Greenbank brigade. He also fished, camped and continued to attend weekend sporting events.
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