MEDIA RELEASE
096.09
11 November 2009
Volunteer fire fighter is South Australia’s local hero
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) tonight congratulated captain of
the Murray Bridge Country Fire Service, Mike Coddington, for being named South
Australia’s Local Hero in the lead-up to the 2010 Australian of the Year Awards.
DIAC is once again proud to sponsor Australia’s Local Hero Award and to celebrate the
extraordinary work of ordinary Australians who make their local community a better
place. Next year is the 50th anniversary of the Australian of the Year Awards.
Mr Coddington, from Murray Bridge, received the award for his efforts in leading and
mentoring a dedicated and professional group of volunteer fire fighters at the Murray
Bridge Country Fire Service Brigade, as well as educating the local community on fire
safety.
“Mr Coddington is an outstanding citizen who inspires us with the passion he has for this
country and its people,” a DIAC spokeswoman said.
“Without financial reward, he has been the captain of the Murray Bridge Country Fire
Service Brigade for the past eight years, increasing the membership from eight to 24
active fire fighters.”
Mike works more than 1500 voluntary hours every year and also visits schools and
community organisations to promote fire safety.
“Australia’s Local Hero Award acknowledges dedicated citizens such as Mike who work
tirelessly to make the lives of those around them that little bit better,” the spokeswoman
said.
“Our Local Heroes are extraordinary individuals whose passion and energy strengthen
our communities and encapsulate what it means to be Australian.”
The national Local Hero Award recipient will be announced on 25 January 2010 in
Canberra.
Media Enquiries: DIAC - National Communications 02 6264 2244
Australian of the Year Awards & National Australia Day Council Media Enquiries:
Nicole Browne 02 9954 7677 or 0414 673 762
SOUTH AUSTRALIA’S LOCAL HERO
Mike Coddington
Murray Bridge
Volunteer fire fighter
In 1993, Mike Coddington heard from a friend that Murray Bridge Country Fire Service
Brigade was desperately in need of members. That was all it took for him to join up, and
for the past eight years he has been the Brigade Captain. During this time, he has
increased membership from eight to 24 active fire fighters, and upgraded the brigade to
a Hazchem incident response brigade. Dubbed ‘the boss’ by his brigade, he works more
than 1500 voluntary hours every year. He also visits schools and community
organisations to promote fire safety. Several years ago the brigade was in trouble, and
without enough manpower for even one truck it was facing closure. But Mike worked
hard to get more people involved and built a social culture to unite members. His
leadership and mentoring has created a dedicated and professional group of volunteer
fire-fighters.
NEWS 
