Tributes flow

Coffin bearers at Lt Peter Harry's funeral in Gisborne on Wednesday deliver his casket to the hearse (above).

CFA and emergency services personnel line the streets to form a guard of honour as the coffin departs Dixon Field (below).Photos: Chris Fleming

More than 1000 people attended the funeral service for 2nd Lieutenant Peter Harry at Dixon Field in Gisborne.

Moving tributes were made by family and friends of the much-loved volunteer firefighter and community member.

Group officer of Mt Macedon Group, Ian Hay, gave the eulogy and thanked the Harry family for the privilege of being able to speak about Peter's CFA service.

Ian provided a long list of Lt Harry's contributions to the brigade and the CFA family.

"Just listing Peter's service does not really demonstrate how much he did for CFA and, ultimately, the community," Ian said.

"When he was living in Sunbury we could always be sure to see Peter on Good Friday for the Royal Children's Hospital Appeal. "With his contacts, Peter would always get Gisborne mentioned on the televised appeal. However, he was not happy with just a mention so, with some gentle arm-twisting, he would arrange with his brother in-law for a live cross from the station.

"The kids - and some adults - loved the chance to become a star for the short time of the cross, but no-one was happier than Peter because he had once again raised the profile of the brigade and CFA in the community. 

"A lot of people did not realise the work Peter did with the local media to get the CFA message out to the community. The respect that Peter had cultivated with the local papers has become very evident in the past few days.

"Peter would not have been such a big part of the brigade and group without the support of his family, and CFA would like to take this opportunity to thank Leanne and the girls for their generosity in allowing us to be part of Peter's life."

Ian closed with a quote from a Facebook post from a firefighter in Geelong, which in part read, 'Rest peacefully - you have done your duty. We will take over from here'.

Following the service, CFA and other emergency services personnel lined the streets to form a guard of honour as the coffin departed.