Mr Lindsay was presented with his 50-year medal last month.
He was not sure when he would retire from the Browns Volunteer Fire Brigade.
"How long is a piece of string?
"As long as I’m able to contribute I’m happy to hang in there."
The 71-year-old would continue as long as "the body holds out".
If the younger members were about he let them attend callouts but during the day not so many people were available.
He and his wife Lyn bought a farm five minutes outside Browns in 1975 not knowing anyone in the area.
When he was asked to join the brigade he was up for the challenge. "It was a great way of meeting new people." Although Mrs Lindsay never joined the brigade, she was very involved and supportive. "I probably wouldn’t have done 50 years without her." It was good for farmers to involve themselves in off-farm activities, he said.
"You can talk to sheep and they don’t talk back but it’s not the same."
He had enjoyed his time on the brigade.
"It’s been part of life."
He recommended young people join a brigade as they would learn many skills and benefit from being part of a team.
Mr Lindsay served as the brigade’s fire chief for 18 years but gave the job up in 2021 to give someone else a turn.
He has been involved in the Otago Southland Provincial Fire Brigades’ Association serving as both secretary and president. He also completed a term as United Fire Brigades’ Association national president in 2011. "A very busy but great experience.
"A lot of travel, a lot of people to meet and babies to kiss."
He and Mrs Lindsay had made many friends throughout New Zealand as a result.
It was a thrill to be awarded the Queen’s Service Medal in 2012 for services to the fire service, he said.
