But brigade Captain Gordon Ball said it is dedicated to all those men and women who have actively supported the brigade since its formation.
‘‘While the board only lists the presdents, captains and secretaries, it is really for all of those people who have been part of the brigade,’’ he said.
‘‘You don’t have a brigade without its members.
‘‘Our brigade was banded together just after the Depression, and it was at a time when the then Conargo Shire was sponsoring the establishment of several brigades.
And that all came about after calls from the Farmers and Settlers Association.’’
Brigade president Graeme Barker welcomed the official guests as well as a number of past and present volunteers and descendants of names on the board.
The day included an address by Edward River Council Mayor Peta Betts, who praised the work of firefighters and their efforts in keeping the district safe.
‘‘The NSW Rural Fire Service is one of the largest volunteer organisations in the world. Every year we watch our TV screens as you and your colleagues battle bush fires and feel very grateful you are brave enough to do so,’’ Cr Betts said.
‘‘Closer to home, 26 of you here at Mayrung are busier than most would realise, tending to grass and hay fires and working with your neighbouring brigades as required.
‘‘On behalf of a very grateful Edward River region, may I say thank you to those whose names we are about to see on this honour board and to all the other volunteers here in Mayrung since 1931 for your service.
‘‘We are all so very proud of you and indebted to your service.’’
RFS Area Superintendent Kelwyn White, from Albury, spoke of her time growing up at Blighty and also spoke of the importance of brigades such as the dedication of volunteers.
She noted that several of the original members have descendants still associated with the brigade.
Brigade life member Wally Beer spoke of his lifetime association with fire brigades and dedicated the honour board to ‘‘volunteers, past, present and future’’.
Capt Ball was invited to speak on the brigade’s history, with a focus on comparing yesteryear equipment and communications to the present day.
‘‘The standard of equipment and communications has been the biggest chance in the brigade,’’ he said.
‘‘Technology has gone ahead in leaps and bounds with the fire radio, and mobiles are only good while they are working.
‘‘Communications has always been a struggle for the brigade.
‘‘When we first started there was only one phone in the district, at Finley.
‘‘It was only three or four years and the first Mayrung family got a phone line, and then another family.
‘‘Everyone had to build their own phone lines to meet theirs.
‘‘It took years for the phone system to be entirely introduced, and at the standalone telephone exchange at the Mayrung Hall we only had one line to Deniliquin.
‘‘So the system worked really well for local calls, but not always when you needed to call Deniliquin for help or even to advise what was happening.
‘‘That continued right through until the 1960s, when things gradually started to improve.
‘‘Of course we all have mobile phones now, but the service is still patchy.’’
The official ceremony was followed by a typical Mayrung morning tea.
The honour board was crafted by Craig Matheson of Finley, and features a header board donated by Andrew Moore and his family. It was made from pine milled on his family’s farm.
The idea for the honour board was first raised by the brigade three years ago, with funding from the brigade and an RFS grant.
