Dalby Pastor awarded National Emergency Medal

Dalby Pastor awarded National Emergency Medal

At an Australia Day Awards ceremony in Toowoomba on January 22, Pastor Joel Pukallus from the south-west Qld Lutheran parish (Dalby Ministry Area) was presented with the National Emergency Medal for a combination of days spent firefighting and deployed in his role as a Fire Department Chaplain during the “Black Summer” bushfires of 2019-2020.

The awarding of the National Emergency Medal was a long process, accomplished over nearly five years, due to the number of people involved in fighting the bushfires that fire season and the delay caused at all levels by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Images:
Pastor Joel receiving the National emergency medal from QFD Commissioner Steven Smith and Federal member for Condamine, Pat Weir (top); the medal as presented; Joel with wife Anne; the National Emergency Medal citation.

There were many recipients of this medal, awarded by the Federal Government to those who have met the service criteria during a declared national emergency.

Chaplaincy with the Qld Fire Department has provided Pastor Joel with unique opportunities for outreach to and care of the people in his region. He has been able to spend time caring for those who have lost homes, including firefighters whose own homes were destroyed while they were elsewhere protecting friends and neighbours.

In late March Pastor Joel will also be eligible for the QFES medal, denoting 10 years of service in the Queensland Fire Department. Many opportunities exist for pastors to be involved in chaplaincy through their emergency services (police, fire and ambulance). The LCANZ also has chaplains in our armed forces. Chaplaincy among people outside of the church is a good “grounding” for pastors, giving them a chance to serve on behalf of their parishes outside of their parish structures.

Pastor Joel credits the people of his former Parish (Goombungee/Maclagan) and his current Parish (The Dalby Ministry Area of the south-west Qld parish) with a community spirit and willingness to “share” him with the local communities. ‘This does not go unnoticed by those outside of the church,’ he added.