Ovens-based forest firefighter, Tracy Culhane was presented with the prestigious Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal last month at a ceremony in Wodonga.

Tracy was deployed as a Safety Officer to the British Columbia Wildfires that burned more than 1.2 million hectares in 2017, along with several Forest Fire Management Victoria staff from north east Victoria.

The Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal is part of the Australian Honours System and is awarded for declared events, to eligible individuals who perform humanitarian service overseas in dangerous or hazardous environments.

Tracy also received the National Emergency Medal for his work to help protect threatened communities during the devastating 2019–2020 Black Summer bushfires.

Joining the newly formed Ovens rappel crew in 1993, Tracy overcame a fear of heights to become crew leader within a year. He completed over 1000 rappels before his final rappel in 2003.

During his career Tracy was deployed to major fires in 1997 (Caledonia), 2003 (Alpine Fires), 2006-07 (Great Divide Fires), 2009 (Black Saturday), 2013 (Harrietville Fires) and the most recent 2019-20 (Black Summer) bushfires.

He was also sent on two interstate deployments to New South Wales in 1994 and 2001, and three international deployments to Canada in 2009, 2014 and 2017.