Cudgegong volunteers celebrate $1.13M tankers and long serving members

NSW RFS Commissioner Rob Rogers AFSM joined State member for Dubbo, Dugald Saunders MP, Council staff and other guests at the Australian Rural Education Centre in Bombira to officially hand over the keys of the new tankers.

Mr Saunders said the new tankers, together worth $1.133 million, will enable Cooyal, Lawson, Mudgee HQ, Gulgong, Windeyer and Cooks Gap Rural Fire Brigades to strengthen their firefighting efforts across their communities.

“Cooks Gap Brigade received a new $207,000 Category 7 tanker to replace one which was destroyed by a fallen tree during the 2019/20 fires. While the remaining brigades’ previous tankers have served them well, I am confident these new state-of-the-art vehicles will prove to be invaluable assets to the area,” Mr Saunders said.

“The NSW Government’s ongoing investment in new vehicles ensures NSW RFS members have access to modern firefighting technology when responding to fires and other incidents.”

The event also provided an opportunity to recognise 42 members of the Cudgegong District who had together amassed 851 years of service to the NSW RFS.

“Today we awarded long service medals and/or clasps to dedicated volunteers who had given between 10 and 59 years’ of service to the community, as well as three national medals to individuals who have gone above and beyond in their roles,” Commissioner Rogers said.

“I particularly wish to congratulate Gulgong Brigade’s Corey Andrews (21 years’ service), Andrew Sutherland (24 years’ service) and Peter Rae (29 years’ service) on receipt of their national medals and John Whale for his 59 years' service.

“These men and women remain on-hand 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and we should be extremely proud and grateful for their contribution.

“In particular, considering the magnitude of the 2019/20 bush fires and the recent floods, I would like to congratulate everybody on their ongoing hard work and professionalism. We also thank the family, friends, employers and colleagues of all NSW RFS volunteers. We know it takes their ongoing support and patience to assist and enable our volunteers to do what they do to save lives and property.”