Former mayor of the City of South Barwon Roger Sykes received a Medal of the Order of Australia for his contributions to the community through a wide range of organisations.
Mr Sykes, 84, began volunteering for the Country Fire Authority (CFA) in 1958 with the Geelong West Brigade.
He served in a number of roles with the Geelong West Brigade, including as fundraiser, committee member and chair.
He transferred to the Belmont Brigade in 1989, where he also joined the committee as member and chair. He remains a member of the brigade to this day.
In 1993 he was elected as councillor of the City of South Barwon, becoming mayor in 1991.
Mr Sykes also started his family transport business, Sykes Transport, in 1959, retiring as managing director in 1998 and handing over the reins to his son David.
Upon retiring, he transferred his passion for vehicles to the Western District Historic Vehicles Club, joining that same year.
He joined the club’s committee from 2003 to 2015, serving as president from 2011 to 2013.
In 2005 Mr Sykes was inducted to the National Road Transport/Shell Rimula Hall of Fame, and in 2018 he was awarded the CFA’s 60 Year Medal.
