Mr Richmond has been with the brigade for 18 years, and captain for 11, and has now stepped back into a senior deputy position.
“I was senior deputy for four years before I became captain, and a deputy pretty much from the time I joined,” Mr Richmond said.
“I was going to step back in 2020, but because of COVID our meetings were cancelled, and COVID hit again in 2021, we continued on, but it’s time for a change.
“I’ve stepped back a role to senior deputy to mentor Todd for the next 12 months.”
At each opportunity, Mr Richmond was re-elected as captain of the brigade, a fact that speaks volumes about his time in the leadership position.
"I can’t fault one moment in 18 years,“ Mr Richmond said.
"I’ve been away on strike teams, sector leaders, strike team leaders, pretty much everything.
“There’s been a lot of fulfilling moments, and we have seen some bad jobs — it’s all about helping people and doing what you can on that day, and if you’ve helped someone survive or put out a big fire on their property, it’s fulfilling.”
Mr Richmond said watching his team grow, and develop their skills has been a highlight of his captaincy.
“Running with a good bunch of people has been a highlight,” he said.
“Eleven years is a long time to do the job, normally people are in it for three or four years, but I’ve really enjoyed watching people grow.”
Mr Richmond will be supporting Mr McCallum in his new position, working towards new developments for the brigade.
“Being captain is a big job — there’s a lot to look after, and a lot to deal with — but (my stepping back is) more about progression,” Mr Richmond said.
“We’ve been talking about progression for years, and since Todd’s come home he’s always been interested in being captain.”
Mr McCallum has been with the brigade on and off since 2007, taking a break between 2011 and 2018, but has always maintained connections to his home.
“The job was always on the radar and I’ve been working towards it,” Mr McCallum said.
“Even while I was away I was growing and developing my skills, and still had that contact — whenever I was home I would drop in and say hi to the boys.”
Mr McCallum will be working towards developing and growing the brigade, while maintaining the atmosphere the team members enjoy with his new position.
“I’ve got big shoes to fill,” he said.
“I’ll be trying to maintain continuity, and the same atmosphere, and balancing that with progression, and moving forward, getting new people and recruiting.
“It’ll be a balancing act, maintaining the current culture, but also changing and growing the brigade and upskilling and improving our capabilities.”
Moama RFS will be starting a recruitment drive as fire season approaches, and will be hosting a “Get Ready” weekend in early September where the station will be open to the public.
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