Nineteen volunteers from NSW Rural Fire Service’s (RFS) Dandry Brigade have been awarded the NSW Premier’s Bushfire Emergency Citation for their contribution and service during the devestating 2019/20 bushfire season.

Volunteers received their citations at the brigade’s annual Christmas party, held at the shed along Stoney Point Road on Saturday, 5 December.

They join more than 65,000 people across the state in receiving a citation, certificate of recognition, commemorative cap and a letter from Premier Gladys Berejiklian, as part of the mammoth fire-fighting effort.

With 22 active members, Dandry Brigade is one of the oldest and most active brigades in the Castlereagh Zone.

It encompasses a large area and numerous properties, including Pilliga Pottery, running north from Coonabarabran along the Newell Highway to the Pilliga Nature Reserve and across to Baradine Road.

The need for a brigade first came about by necessity, following a ferocious summer in 1951/52.

Over the years, the crew has been well-supported by a ladies auxiliary, who helped fund-raise for the brigade’s first fire truck, along with equipment and supplies, before the NSW RFS was established in 1997.

Although the ladies auxiliary has since folded, the brigade is well-supported by the local community, made evident with the 80-strong crowd for its COVID-safe Christmas party last weekend.

Award recipients

Allan Taylor

Paul Tandy

Ian McLean

Geoff Roberts

Peter Brookhouse

Helen Smith

Meredith Wright

Peter Humphriss

Hamish Lees

Glenn Tandy

Mick Heywood

Johannes Rickert

Regina Fritz

Bernard Rickert

Eva Rickert

Cathy Facchi

Cole Butgereit

Darren De Costa

Luke Mitchell