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Three generations of the Clausen family have dedicated more than 160 years to the Leeston Volunteer Fire Department.
Today, Grant has become the second person in his family to complete 50 years of service. His brother Lloyd has served for 55 years.
“When you’re young, you want to join the fire department. If you join early enough and live long enough and stick with it, time will pass,” Grant said.
“It doesn’t feel like 50 years to me at all.”
The Clausen family’s connection to the brigade began with Grant and Lloyd’s grandfather, Frank, who served for 15 years, followed by their father, Bertram, who served for 43 years.
Grant joined the brigade in 1974 at the age of 17, five years after Lloyd signed up at the age of 15. Grant said he was a little jealous of his brother.
“Grandpa (Frank) was in, my dad (Bertram) was in, Lloyd was in, so I was keen.”
“I was a little jealous, so I was eager to try it,” Grant said.
Looking back, Grant said he remembers several major fires in the Liston area.
“When you arrive, the big factory fires make a big impression on you. There have been several fires in honey factories here, which is interesting.
“We’ve been to a lot of places where there have been fires on plantations, and each fire has lasted for days.”
Grant said fatal accidents are a difficult part of the job.
“Unfortunately, what comes to mind are the fatal accidents that we’ve had. It’s sad for those families, but you have to do what you have to do and support those around you.”
Lloyd, who served as brigade commander until 2020, said it can be difficult when you know the people involved.
“You’re in good professional shape, you just have to continue to do your job as a professional and then reflect on it later.
“At the end of the day, if you make the save, it’s very gratifying,” he said.
Grant is also keen on taking part in firefighting competitions. He has competed in local and national road rescue and water challenges. Most recently he was part of the Leeston team that competed in the National Road Rescue Competition in Feilding in June.
In addition to their involvement with the fire department, the two are involved with community committees and the Ellesmere Historical Society.
Lloyd also volunteers at St. John’s Pool on the administrative side and has helped manage the Liston Pool for the past 35 years.
“There are a lot of people in the community like Grant and I who are involved in multiple organizations, and that’s the heart of the community,” Lloyd said.
During the time the brothers were with the brigade, Liston’s population grew from about 600 to nearly 3,000.
“We’re getting about four to five times the number of calls we had when I first started,” Grant said.
“There was a time when we all delivered newspapers and worked in grocery stores… You used to know everyone in town, but it’s totally different now.”
Grant, who has been a saddler for 40 years, is now preparing to relocate the family saddle shop, which had previously moved to High St in Liston, to the Selwyn Heritage Centre.
“We’re going to rebuild the saddle shop, and then I’ll be able to put back the tools and stuff that grandpa used in that building.”
Lloyd, a former electrician, is now a safety officer for the wiring company Orion.
Liston Fire Chief Matt Walker said Grant was a humble man who didn’t enjoy the noise of the celebration.
“He lived in and around Liston his entire life and was a strong believer in the value of volunteerism and the importance of helping communities grow and thrive,” he said.
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