They battled one of the most catastrophic natural disasters the Southern Highlands and Wollondilly have seen since European arrival and now the community once again has a chance to say 'thank you.'
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Rural Fire Service (RFS) brigades from across the region gathered at venues in May to receive National Emergency Medals alongside other RFS accolades.
From Burrawang to Bargo, volunteers who risked so much to keep the flames at bay were formally acknowledged for their bravery.
Brigades from the Southern Highlands RFS zone battled the Currowan fire which threatened the villages of Exeter and Bundanoon after jumping the Shoalhaven River.
Further north Wollondilly brigades mobilised to counter the terrifying Green Wattle Creek blaze where, tragically, members Geoffrey Keaton and Andrew O'Dwyer lost their lives.
Wollondilly MP Nathaniel Smith attended several award ceremonies while Whitlam MP and new Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones joined Wingecarribee Shire Council Administrator Viv May at the Burrawang brigade event.
"I am enormously proud of these skilled and dedicated women and men who freely gave of themselves during that terrible time, to protect and serve the community," said medal recipient and Burrawang Rural Fire Brigade Captain Colin Munro.
"The service they gave is repeated time and time again every year, be it fires, floods, storms, motor vehicle accidents and so on.
"These National Emergency Medals are recognition by community at the highest level, from the Governor General of Australia, to say 'thank you for your service; thank you for your courage."
You can find an extensive gallery of photos from the Southern Highlands and Wollondilly brigades receiving their medals above.
We depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support.
Did you know the Southern Highland News is now offering breaking news alerts and a daily email newsletter? Keep up-to-date with all the local news: sign up below.