"That is what most people did when they were growing up on farm," he said.

Born and bred in Rainbow, Mr Solly started his career as a secondary school teacher in Lake Bolac, where he taught for four years.

He said during his time there, he saw the impact major fires could have on rural communities.

"My first major exposure to a fire was when I was teaching in Lake Bolac in 1977," he said.

"There were some major fires that went through the western district, including Streatham. That opened my eyes to the impact that fires could have on a community.

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"We had seven students at the school who had lost virtually all that they owned, and two of them lost their fathers. That is the sort of impact that it had."

Mr Solly said although he was not formally with the CFA at the time of the fire, he was put into a volunteer working group of teachers and bankers tasked with transporting emergency deliveries of hay.

"We had to move the loads onto trucks so that stock could be fed, and then we were involved in going through farms and picking up all of the rubbish that was left," he said.

"The recovery effort from there was massive as well, everybody pitched in."

The Streatham fire experience left an impact on Mr Solly, who moved back to Rainbow and joined the local brigade.

At the Rainbow brigade, he took up an incident management role, eventually becoming the group officer of the brigade in 1991.

His involvement in District 17 administration saw him support northeast Victoria when fires went through the region in 2003.

He was the planning officer at the Horsham District 17 control centre during Black Saturday bushfires in 2009.

"We thought at the time it was a pretty horrendous day, and then we had heard about what had gone on in other parts of the state and thought perhaps we had a quiet day," he said.

Mr Solly left the role as Rainbow group officer two years ago and took a position at the Werrap Bridge, with which he started his career.

He has been involved in many fire safety committees throughout his career, notably a CFA committee on rural ageing, retraction, and decline.

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He has also worked with the Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria and regularly meets with the CFA to provide occupational safety assistance and training.

Mr Solly estimated that seven District 17 members had received the Australian Fire Service Award since its establishment in 1989.

The Australian Fire Service Medal is awarded to paid and volunteer members for distinguished service as part of Queens Birthday and Australia Day honours.

"It is really nice to be recognised for what I have done, but I can look around and see hundreds of CFA volunteers and volunteers in other organisations who are equally deserving," he said.

"While it is since to get the award, there are a number of other people who equally deserve it as well.

"I have been very well supported by my family, especially my wife. The staff in CFA district 17 have been very good to work with, and they look after the volunteers in this area very well.

"I have had my own farm and have been in a tight spot, people have come down and helped me out. When you help people out of a tight spot there is a fair bit of satisfaction that comes with that as well."

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