BEN Abraham has been nominated for the 2023 Rosewood Lions Citizen of the Year Award for his contribution to community and for his dedication to the Rural Fire Service and the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services.
Ben has dedicated a combined total of 26 years with the Rural Fire Service and the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services. He joined the Rural Fire Brigade when he was 16.
From the Rural Service, Ben then joined the Queensland Fire and Emergency Service as a firefighter and is currently Lieutenant at the Rosewood station.
Throughout his service, Ben has experienced many confronting situations including road accidents, house fires and bushfires. He has also been challenged through floods and many other life-threatening situations.
In the 2019 Summer bushfires, Ben travelled to fight the fires in New South Wales alongside other firefighters where he shared comradery and trust among the teams he worked with.
Finding strength throughout this devastation, Ben was a shoulder to lean on, an ear to listen, and he tried to be strong for the families who lost everything.
Ben has also volunteered his time to many events and celebrations that have been held in the Rosewood area.
For more than 10 years Ben has supported and assisted in the Santa on the fire truck event, bringing Christmas cheer to the community.
At dawn on Anzac Day for more than 10 years, Ben in his Queensland Fire and Emergency Services uniform, has assisted the Rosewood RSL with cooking up the gunfire breakfast for over 500 people.
A familiar face to many local school children, Ben has helped educate them about fire dangers and told stories of how people can make a difference by helping others.
Over the years, Ben has also assisted at the Rosewood Lions Christmas street carnival, at many street parades and at events within the community.
Ben has spent much of his life helping his community and has made a positive impact on the lives of many families.
He has been awarded with the Citation Medal, a 10-year Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Medal and a National Service Medal.
