Volunteer firefighters across the Bega Valley and South Coast NSW have enjoyed a very special thank you as part of the NSW Rural Fire Service Association's (RFSA) recognition of the contribution of volunteer firefighters and their families.
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Approximately 500 volunteer firefighters and their families attended Magic Mountain in Merimbula on Saturday, May 1, for a family day including toboggan rides and mini golf.
RFSA president Brian McDonough said because of the global pandemic in 2020, this was the first series of volunteers' family day events that has been held since the devastating bushfire disaster in the summer of 2019/20.
"On behalf of the people of NSW and the RFSA, we say thank you for all that you do - for keeping our communities safe, for battling the dangerous and life-threatening fires, and for saving what can be saved," Mr McDonough said.
"We also want to thank your families for their ongoing support and their sacrifices that allow you to be a volunteer firefighter."
The RFSA Volunteers' Family Day at Merimbula was one of seven to be held across NSW in the first half of 2021 to acknowledge the important role volunteers and their families play at the core of the emergency services.
"After Black Summer and the COVID-related challenges we've all experienced, this gives us the opportunity to come together as a community once again," Mr McDonough said.
"Following a challenging year, I can think of no better way to inject some much-needed cheer back into our regional communities while celebrating our volunteer firefighters," Mr McDonough said.