Firefighter was always a hero

DON Dosser died a hero's death, helping a friend defend their farm in the face of a raging bushfire.

But yesterday friends and family at Sale's Delbridge Chapel were simply farewelling a much-loved mate.
The country send-off suited the down-to-earth bloke who lived for his stud ponies, his dogs, his roses and his family.
"Don, you are now classed as a hero," his nephew, William Stubbs, said.
"That is nothing new to this family. You were always classed as a hero to us."
Three hundred people overflowed from the chapel, where a simple coffin was surrounded by a saddle, a show trophy and a battered Akubra.
Mr Dosser, 48, was a popular miniature pony breeder from Longford, outside Sale.
He died in a fire at Cooper's Creek last Thursday after falling from a trailer at the fire front.
Smoke from nearby fires was still thick outside the chapel as mourners gathered at 2pm yesterday.
Parents Les and Nell Dosser led a tearful procession to start the service as Kasey Chambers' song This Flower played.
Family members all carried roses that Mr Dosser had grown on his stud, Donalyn.
Mourners heard stories of a young boy who hid in his family's dog kennel to avoid going to school and went on to make animals his life.
Family and friends remembered a welcoming man who would always give a friendly "G'day, mate" to anyone and everyone.
The lifelong outdoors man was shown in a slide show of photos pictured with horses, dogs and smiling young relatives on horseback.
The fourth of five children, Mr Dosser had 10 nieces and nephews and was a great-uncle to many more.
Mr Dosser won scores of prizes for his miniature ponies.
His best-loved pet horse among them, Collie, led the funeral procession out of the chapel.
The crowd queued to place roses on the coffin before forming a guard of honour for the hearse.
Mother Nell Dosser carried her son's Akubra as family walked behind the hearse, crying and waving.
As the hearse pulled away, distraught sisters Sheral and Angerlina waved a final farewell to their heroic brother.
22nd December