Narooma Rural Fire Service recently celebrated Sophie Taylor's long service to the community and involvement at the brigade.
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The 27-year-old will reach 12 years at the brigade this coming April, however, her 10-year service medal was only presented last week. The brigade got together to share kind words and acknowledge Ms Taylor's achievements.
"It was pretty awesome," she said.
For Ms Taylor, her time dedicated to volunteering was worth the satisfaction of helping out the community and working in team environment.
"We have built up such a great team," she said.
Ms Taylor joined the brigade aged 16, and quickly climbed the ranks. Senior deputy Peter Phillips said Ms Taylor applied herself and has achieved great milestones at a young age.
"When she joined, she was quite shy but discovered it was something she really enjoyed," he said.
"She took on the opportunities as they arose."
At the time of Ms Taylor's recruitment, Mr Phillips said the captain was inclusive towards women and diversity.
"She was accepted and encouraged to apply herself," he said.
"As she became competent, she moved up through the ranks: village firefighter, advanced firefighter, breathing apparatus operator and then crew leader, which gave her the qualifications to operate as an officer.
"She was very enthusiastic."
"By the time she was 20, she had a deputy captain position in the brigade then a couple of years later, senior deputy which is second in command."
In April 2019, Ms Taylor was elected captain. Mr Phillips said the brigade's "modern approach" to leadership has been a recipe for success.
"A lot of young people have joined the brigade," he said.
"Sophie has encouraged people to step up and contribute. She was thrown in the deep end during the bushfires, where she stepped up to the challenge and encouraged the people around her to do so also.
"The result of this, under her leadership we have built a very tight, supportive brigade.
"Through her willingness, to rely on and use the skills of people around her, this attitude has enabled her as a young captain to be supported by her brigade and her competence has been recognised at a higher level," Mr Phillips said.
Ms Taylor said it was a tough gig as a new captain: "We went straight into such a big fire season - it wasn't easy, it was bloody hard!"
"The brigade came out much stronger than it was previously," she said. Ms Taylor was eager to continue her efforts at Narooma RFS, and hoped to progress to a southern group leader.
