Being able to help someone on what could be the worst day of their life is what motivates Cameron Cornish to give his time to the South Hedland Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service.  

The mechanic came to Hedland with a five-year plan. Ten years later, Cameron is still loving life in the Pilbara. 

Cameron heard about the South Hedland VFRS through a few mates on a work site. Four years later, he now spends much of his spare time volunteering on the road or at the depot, fixing things up to ensure the crew are equipped for whatever comes their way.  

“I thought I’d come down, give it a go, and have a crack, and I enjoyed it, so can’t image doing anything else now,” he said.  

“I enjoy helping people. 

“When we rock up to a structure fire or a road crash, it is possibly the worst day of someone’s life, so we do what we can to make it better.” 

Cameron enjoys camping and fishing and the camaraderie that comes with being a vollie.  

“The Hedland Community is amazing. If something needs to get done, it doesn’t matter if they know you or not; they rally around you and get it done,” he said.  

The South Hedland Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service attends all disasters, community events, accidents, and ship fires.  

It is run entirely by volunteers, who spend a lot of time training and keeping their skills up to date, as well as educating the broader community about fires and emergency situations.  

Many of Hedland’s emergency services rely on self-sacrificing volunteers like Cameron, which is why he and all the other amazing vollies are worthy of the Hedland Hero title.