Harry Stead (left) and Kym “Freddy” Curnow (right) remembered for their heroism. Photos: supplied.
Adored country lads Harry Stead and Kym “Freddy” Curnow were remembered for their heroism and bravery at the National Emergency Service Memorial in Canberra earlier this month.
They were awarded medallions for their courage and sacrifice with their names engraved on the memorial wall along with 23 other volunteer firefighters.
Harry’s name was inscribed on the King’s Park Honour Roll a few days later at the Firefighters’ Memorial Grove in Perth, alongside Freddy’s name, which was added last year.
Harry was just 20 when he lost his life fighting a blaze on a farm near Coomalbigup.
Harry’s mum, Sue Stead, described him as a caring and generous boy who loved giving gifts and said she grieves his loss every day.
“He was a beautiful young man with a fabulous smile, he gave great hugs, and he was just a joy to be around,” Mrs Stead said.
“I think the whole process of seeing his name on the plaque made me realise that once again he’s just not coming home.
“It’s so sad that we won’t be able to see him grow old and become a husband and a father.”
Harry grew up with his parents and three siblings on a Cascade farm and moved to Perth to attend boarding school, and later for university.
He was a barista and worked as a boarding master at Hale School.
Harry returned home to help on the farm for the last weeks of harvest when on Boxing Day he was called out to a bushfire.
“These people are volunteers… [Harry] just got on that truck and went and did what all the farmers and the people who live on the outskirts of Esperance do all the time,” Mrs Stead said.
“I think people forget that it’s just normal people out there fighting fires.
“I miss Harry every single day.
“I just want everyone to remember my boy and what a beautiful young man he was.”
Harry was a keen Gibson footy player and had always dreamed of playing league alongside his brothers.
Last weekend, Charlie and Tom Stead played Gibson seniors together for the first time which Mrs Stead said was a bitter-sweet moment.
“It’s just another time that we miss Harry so much because he’ll never have the opportunity to play footy with his brothers,” she said.
Freddy, the Stead’s family friend and fellow Gibson footy player, was 45 when he lost his life during the devastating 2015 bushfires while warning a carload of backpackers they were heading towards danger.
He was a Scadden farmer, a father, husband, son, brother and good friend.
His wife Rosie Curnow said there “wouldn’t be a person in the world that could say a bad word about him”.
“He was a highly regarded community member who was selfless, kind, courageous and dedicated to his community and beloved Gibson Football Club,” she said.
“We miss him dreadfully and not a day goes by that we don’t think of him and wish was here with us.”
Mrs Curnow and Mrs Stead said they were grateful for the support from the local community.
“It may be a random phone call, hug or gentle hand on our shoulder but we feel it and are comforted each and every time,” Mrs Curnow said.
After the 2023 fires, Mrs Stead said the community helped repair the damage to their property.
“The fire came through the farm and burnt many of our fences,” Mrs Stead said.
“The Cascade ladies cooked lunch for everyone, and about 100 community members from the district and the Gibson Football Club rolled up kilometres and kilometres of fencing – it was amazing.”
Several friends and family from the Esperance community attended the King’s Park memorial alongside the Steads and Curnows to honour and remember their good mates Harry and Freddy.
