Rural Fire Service brigade members, State Emergency Service personnel and Volunteer Rescue Association crews attended a number of special presentation ceremonies across the region, awarded the medals for their efforts during the 2019/20 bushfires.

The National Emergency Medal is awarded to people who rendered sustained or significant service during nationally-significant emergencies in Australia.

For the recent bushfires, that meant a minimum of five days active on firegrounds - and given the immense scope of the devastating blazes, it was no wonder that more than 600 of the medals were presented to local emergency service volunteers over the past few days.

The medals are struck and approved on the order of the Governor-General of Australia, with His Excellency David Hurley visiting the Bega Valley and Eurobodalla on Thursday and Friday to present many of the medals.

At Club Sapphire in Merimbula on Thursday evening, December 16, it was up to Far South Coast RFS district manager Superintendent Angus Barnes to do the honours, while Mr Hurley performed the official duties at a similar ceremony at the Bega Civic Centre.

Presentations were also held in Eden and Bermagui as well as Narooma, Moruya and Batemans Bay in the Eurobodalla Shire.

It was said 683 medals were to be presented in eight events over three days in two local government areas.

Superintendent Barnes said there hadn't been an awarding of a National Emergency Medal for fires since Black Saturday 2009.

The medal itself is one of the highest honours a member of the emergency services can receive from the Commonwealth, he said, before presenting around 30 of them to members of Merimbula, Tathra and Candelo RFS brigades.

"The Governor-General has made it clear that although there may be a reluctance for some to accept medals for what they've done, this medal is not just for you.

"Take it home and show it to your family proudly and wear it with pride," Superintendent Barnes said.