27/05/2026
Today we celebrate an incredible milestone - 50 years of service from W***y Elder 👏🚒
W***y began his firefighting career in Scotland before joining the New Zealand Fire Service on 26 May 1976. Remarkably, he then went on to serve all 50 years of his career right here in Hamilton! An incredible achievement and a true testament to his dedication to both the brigade and the community.
Over the last five decades, W***y has witnessed and lived through one of the greatest periods of transformation our service has seen - from wool tunics and paper maps to modern-day technology and all-hazards response, while standing alongside crews at some of Hamilton’s most significant incidents, including the Empire Hotel fire and Tamahere coolstore explosion. Through all that change, one thing remained constant: W***y’s commitment to the job, his brigade, and helping others.
50 years of service is more than a career — it’s a legacy.
Congratulations W***y, and thank you for your dedication, humour, leadership, and service to Hamilton and Fire and Emergency New Zealand. Enjoy the well-earned retirement!
Please join us in congratulating W***y on an extraordinary 50 years of service!
