It is that time of year again:-)
This year my birthday doll was inspired by the book
"Where The Wild Mums Are" by Katie Blackburn and Sholto Walker.
Within its magical pages is the phrase ...
"a wild magnificence".
I absolutely fell in love with it.
I hope this year will be "a wild magnificence".

Keegan is wearing a chemical splash suit.
This suit is worn during incidents with dangerous materials,
together with Breathing Apparatus, special gloves and boots.
It is very specialised and dangerous work.
I am very grateful that their are people like Keegan
who will put their life on the line to ensure my well-being.

Kegan has two tattoos.
The arm band says "AHI" which is NZ Maori for "FIRE".
On his back is the Florian Cross, (St Florian is the patron saint of fire fighters)
with a hose in the centre.
"1941" is the year the Ngongotaha Volunteer Fire Brigade was established.
This year, they celebrate their 75th Jubilee.
$50 from the sale of each doll in this series will be donated
to the Ngongotaha Volunteer Fire Brigade.

Keegan is a family man
and loves nothing better than to spend quality time with his son.

Like Serephina, Kenneth is a Rural Fire Fighter.

Kenneth is dedicated to his role in the community.
As a Rural Fire Fighter, he has a strong work ethic,
persevering at a task until it is completed.
His passion for Rural Fire Fighting and the safety of his community,
drive him to maintain peak physical fitness
and to be up-to-date with the latest equipment and fire fighting techniques.
Kenneth takes pride in this vital service.

When he is not out serving his community,
Kenneth likes be a man about town!
He dresses in the latest fashion craze - hobo chic.

Tyson is a member of Operational Support.
These are the wonderful people who enable the Fire Fighters
to perform their tasks safely and well.
Operational Support create a safe working environment,
feed and rest those on the fire front.

Fire Fighters have to work with a variety of personalities.
Tolerance is essential when dealing with the public.
They with people from all walks of life, cultures,
races, backgrounds and all socio-economic levels.
Each is treated with the same level of respect, courtesy and professionalism.
This can be very difficult when people are in high-stress situations.

The uniform Tyson is wearing is also the Wildfire/Rescue uniform.

Tyson likes nothing better than to take to the outdoors
with his friends and his beats!

Serephina is a young mother and a volunteer rural fire fighter.

There is a constant threat of fire in farm and bush land,
and in areas of thermal activity.
Serephina is trained to contain and extinguish these fires.
It is long, hot, dirty work
which continues for hours after the flames have died down
as the rural fire fighters seek out and extinguish hot spots.

Self-sacrifice is demanded of the Volunteer Fire Fighter.
They must set aside personal desires, family commitments and time,
to give to their community.
They are courageous:
working in situations that are dangerous and volatile.

We owe them a huge debt of gratitude.

Ignatius is a life member of the Volunteer Fire Brigade.
Despite his greying hair, he is an integral member of the brigade.
Ignatius fully understands the need for a fire fighter to be flexible and adaptable.
Firefighters need to make many sacrifices and compromises
and have the willingness and ability to live and work very dynamically.
A Fire Fighter must be able to easily adapt to new people,
new settings, changing job descriptions and the changing conditions of the fire ground.
Ignatius has demonstrated the ability to work under stress-
in life threatening, time-urgent and high stress conditions.

Off duty, Ignatius loves to relive his glory days
as a rock'n'roller!

Flint is wearing his structural fire fighting trousers, gloves and flash hood.
During training,
he demonstrates his technical problem solving skills,
so vital to accomplish goals and mitigate problems and disasters.
Volunteer Fire Fighters use a variety of tools,
including hand and power tools.
It is important they understand how the tools work,
and be able to use them competently under stress.

Flint loves to socialise with friends,
and is a very snappy dresser!

Titus works hard with the public,
presenting a positive image of the Fire Brigade.
He reinforces the fire safety message wherever he can.
Often he installs smoke detectors in eligible homes.

Titus enjoys the outdoors,
relaxing there whenever he can.
His obligations to his local brigade mean that he must do this
when he is not on call, ready to respond to the pager immediately.

Today's Volunteer Fire Fighter is often out in the community,
talking with groups and individuals,
about fire safety.
They need to be good communicators:
be articulate and relate well to people.
This uniformed doll, Barbara, has collectors' cards to give away,
increasing public awareness about the role of the Fire Service.

When not on duty, Barbara loves to run marathons.
822 is the number of one of the fire engines in her station.
She wears this number with pride.

Physical fitness is a priority with Fire Fighters.
Each member must be able to perform assigned tasks
without endangering themselves or others.
A call out may last for several hours.
The volunteer Fire Fighter needs stamina and perseverance.

Barbara is a recruit fire fighter.
She is fitting the requirements of study and training
around her busy professional life.
She is honest, trustworthy, reliable and accountable;
a real team player.
Barbara is an asset to the brigade.