A SERVICE in January remembered Kalamunda resident and volunteer firefighter Matthew Nigel Petch who community members say was a true gentleman.
Mr Petch was born on February 23, 1984 and died on January 11 this year.
The Kalamunda volunteer bush fire brigade said they remembered Mr Petch as a much loved son, brother, husband, father and giant to many in Kalamunda and beyond.
“Firstly, as a teacher to many children over the years, many parents at the brigade can attest to that as he taught our children and grandchildren (and) he was adored as a teacher,” a brigade spokesperson said.
“The parents loved him because of his ability to nurture their child and to connect with the child and the parent through his calm and caring nature.
“He touched the lives of us at the Kalamunda volunteer fire and rescue team through his humble, caring, humorous nature.
“He had a high work ethic, willingness, very dedicated and happy to pass on this knowledge to newcomers.”
Mr Petch received the Captain’s Award in 2017 and served as the brigade’s training coordinator for several years.
Three years after he joined, he volunteered to join a task force that was being sent to Queensland to fight fires in the region.
Mr Petch was considered experienced enough as he also had three years’ experience prior to joining the Kalamunda volunteer bush fire brigade.
In 2021 he received a national emergency medal for his service in Queensland and also a five-year medal as a member of Kalamunda volunteer bush fire brigade.
After eight years’ service and with great reluctance he decided to resign from the brigade, which was his passion, and selflessly devote more time to his own children who were his first consideration.
The spokesperson said the brigade was reluctant to see him go but completely understood his decision and fully supported him.
“He knew he would have been welcomed back with open arms when that time came,” they said.
“The officers at the time considered him a future captain of the brigade as he had the knowledge, acumen and the personality to be a good leader.
“We are all devastated at his passing and devastated for his family and bitterly disappointed that his illness wasn’t recognised and supported just because he was a volunteer.”
Mr Petch’s brother Jonathan Petch said his brother led a life defined by quiet integrity, deep love for family, unwavering service to others, and a rare gentleness of spirit.
“Matthew was a gentleman in the truest sense of the word, not in a loud or performative way, but in the way he lived his life and treated people,” he said.
“Helping others was his language of love.
“If something needed fixing, lifting, or sorting out, Matt was the first call, and the one who always turned up.
“He ran towards danger so that others could be safe, never for praise, but because it was the right thing to do.”
Jonathan said his brother was a father who made his family proud through the merit of his character, outshining even his achievements, and exemplifying a life lived full of love in his heart for others.
“Matt’s love for (his wife) Helen was steady and unwavering – a partnership built on respect, presence, and deep devotion,” he said.
“His last conscious act was to lean towards his wife and kiss her goodbye.
“(He) didn’t just teach lessons; he taught children how to feel seen, valued, and capable.
“Teaching wasn’t just a job to him, it was a calling, and his kindness reached far beyond the classroom.
“As my brother, Matt was my constant (as) a steady presence, a calm voice, and a place of warmth and guidance.
“Although he was the youngest, in so many ways Matt was the one we all looked up to.
“When the system failed him, Matthew turned his experience into purpose.
“He became an advocate to ensure fairness and protection for others.
“In every role he held, son, husband, father, teacher, firefighter, friend, Matt was the same: principled, generous, and profoundly kind.
“When we ask what the word gentleman truly means, we no longer have to wonder.
“We knew one, we loved one, and his name was Matthew.”
