The district community is reeling after the sudden death of Womboota farmer and firefighter Dale Bowles.
Dale was in uniform, attending to a car fire in Moama on Tuesday, when he suffered a medical episode.
His family has been overwhelmed with messages of condolences and support since the incident, which they say tells them a lot about the man they called husband and dad.
“We are so grateful for those messages, and so thankful he was our dad,” daughter Sarah said.
“Everyone has told us how lucky they were to know him, but we were the lucky ones.
“He was so proud of us kids, but we are so proud of everything we learnt from him.”
Dale and wife Angela have three children, Sarah, Matthew and Marc.
He was also a proud grandfather of seven — Sarah and Drew’s son Hudson; Matthew and Leah’s children Thomas, Franklin and Charlotte; and Marc and Kathryn’s children Jack, Lachlan and Sam.
He was a staunch family man and always a giver.
He not only provided his time to others as a firefighter, but as a business mentor.
Dale started his life as a roof tiler and worked his way through the building industry, but his dream was to own a piece of land by the water with a vineyard.
Womboota offered him that opportunity, and he and Angela taught themselves everything they needed to know along the way.
“He’s helped develop an amazing property with wine and olive oils, Murray Gums Estate, which is also used for functions and weddings,” his children said.
“It was all self taught — he is very smart.
“He actually just won a gold medal for one of his olive oils.
“He was a successful businessman and was a mentor to many.
“A lot of young people in business in the Echuca-Moama region reached out to him and they’re more successful because of it.
“He was a perfectionist and he has the most impeccable vineyard because of his passions.
“It’s the same mentality he took through to his role with the Rural Fire Service.”
Angela said her husband had been spending more and more time away from the vineyard in the past few months because of his role with the RFS, but his response was always that it was “my time to give back”.
Outside of farming, Dale loved spending time with his family, camping and four-wheel driving.
He was also a passionate community man and often offered his property for fundraisers for Echuca Regional Health.
In his service to the NSW Rural Fire Service, Dale was a member of the Womboota Brigade and was group captain.
In a tribute to the firefighter, the NSW Rural Fire Service said he was an “energetic, dedicated and accomplished member of the RFS”.
“Joining the Womboota Rural Fire Brigade in the state’s Mid Murray region in 2015, he was a highly regarded mentor to many members,” the RFS said.
“Previously, he had an extensive career as a member of the CFA.
“Often serving communities not just at home but across the state, his leadership skills and unwavering commitment earned him numerous accolades throughout his career.
“Earlier this year, group captain Bowles received a Commissioner’s Commendation for Service in recognition of his work in western New South Wales throughout the challenging flood events of 2022.
“He also received the Premier’s Bush Fire Citation in 2020 and the National Emergency Medal.
“Group captain Bowles was an exemplary member of not just the RFS, but of the community he served.
“While his loss will be felt deeply by his brigade, district and the wider RFS family, his legacy of leadership, commitment and great capability will continue to inspire those who carry on his work.
“Our thoughts are with his family, friends and RFS colleagues during this difficult time.”
Mid Murray zone superintendent Tony Whitehorn added his own words in tribute of Dale.
“He was a highly dedicated and well respected officer,” Mr Whitehorn said.
“He would continually put others before himself and he exemplified the values of the Mid Murray and NSW RFS.
“He was a leader in the zone and a mentor to many, and will be sadly missed.”