Eugowra Flood Recovery Committee – The 2024 NSW Volunteer Team of the Year: David Herbert, Janet Moxey, Liz Mitchell, Sean Haynes.

The Eugowra Flood Recovery team were named the 2024 NSW Volunteer Team of the year at a special ceremony that was held in Sydney. The announcement was made at a Gala Ceremony in Sydney, at­tended by more than 300 community, busi­ness and political leaders.

The work of the volunteer team has be­come folklore, not just locally, but right across NSW and the entire country.

The Eugowra Flood Recovery Committee was established in 2022 to lead the com­munity recovery in response to the devas­tating flash flood that hit in November 2022.

The seven member committee – working closely with the entire town, council and state recovery agencies – set about the task of rebuilding the town and supporting its people.

Almost one million dollars was raised, volunteers recruited, and so many items and support were donated. It’s two years on, and so much has been achieved – but the work still goes on.

The Centre for Volunteering CEO Gem­ma Rygate “Few communities have been hit with something so devastating and un­expected as the people of Eugowra after the 2022 floods. Lives were lost, homes and property completely destroyed, and people faced a long and hard path to recovery.

“The flood recovery committee did an in­credible job helping to raise money, coordi­nate donations and support, and liaise with agencies on how to rebuild the town. They provided a human connection with people in the town. They gave them hope and sup­port and were an inspiration”.

Sergeant Mitchell Gage said: “We want everyone to make it to and from their holiday destinations safely this Christmas.”

Double demerit points will be in force for 13 days over the Christmas and New Year period. Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Preven­tion Officer, MelanieSuitor said that double demerit points would run from Friday 20 December 2024 to Wednesday 1 January 2025 inclusive for all speeding, seatbelt, motorcycle helmet and mobile phone of­fences.

Ms Suitor said double demerit points have proven to be an effective road safety initiative to make holiday travel safer for everyone on New South Wales’ roads.

“Traffic on roads to popular holiday desti­nations, increases by up to 50% during the Christmas and the New Year holiday pe­riod, so it is important to obey all the road rules and drive safely.

“While driving, focus on driving. Don’t al­low yourself to be distracted by your mobile phone, follow the road rules and drive to suit the conditions. Please make sure that you and your passengers are buckled up.

Parkes Highway Patrol Sergeant Mitch­ell Gage is warning drivers that they are at greatest risk of losing their licence during this period.

“There will be more Police on the roads which means a greater chance of drivers being caught if they are doing the wrong thing.

“So, make sure you give yourself plenty of time to travel, don’t speed, drive to the conditions, wear your seatbelt, avoid dis­tractions, make sure you’re well rested and if you’ve been drinking or have taken drugs – don’t drive.

Former firefighter Don Jewell (right) recounted to Orange MP, Phil Donato the events of the 1983 Mobil Depot fuel fire he and his fellow firefighters extinguished.

State Member for Orange Philip Donato MP hosted an award ceremony at the Cooke Park Pavilion in Parkes on Tuesday 3rd De­cember 2024, to recognise 10 brave local firemen for placing their lives in peril to save their town from a catastrophic fire in 1983.

“It is a true honour and a privilege to per­sonally recognise ten local heroes, who pulled off an almost impossible feat and saved their town from certain catastrophe,” said Mr Donato.

Before a gathering of invited guests and dignitaries, Mr Donato personally present­ed to each of the five living firefighters, and families of the five deceased firefighters, Statements of Appreciation signed and is­sued by Fire and Rescue NSW Commis­sioner Jeremy Fewtrell AFSM.

“On the 23 rd of May 1983, a rail tanker carriage loaded with 33,000 litres of pet­rol, which was being decanted into storage tanks at the Mobil fuel depot in East Street Parkes, ignited.

“Ten members of the Parkes Fire Brigade rapidly responded to the fire, finding the fu­el-laden rail tanker completely engulfed in flames which threatened to ignite adjacent fuel tanks that held millions of litres of fuel,” Mr Donato said.

The ten brave firefighters: Captain Gor­don Northey, now deceased; Engine keep­er Rodney Bradley, now deceased; Fire­fighter Robert Tinker; Firefighter Graham Dixon; Firefighter Roger Larsen; Firefighter Graham Thompson; Firefighter Robert Mc­Donald, now deceased; Firefighter Don Jewell; Firefighter Bruce Shanks, now de­ceased; and Firefighter John Ashcroft, now deceased.

“The fire and potential explosion threat­ened not only the lives of the responding firefighters, who fought to control and extin­guish the fire, but also the lives of Parkes residents. The firefighters placed their own lives at risk to fight this fire, each believing they would not survive it.

“It was a miracle that the tanker and adja­cent fuel depot did not explode; These cou­rageous men put their own lives on the line to save peoples’ lives and property, and they managed to succeed in defeating the fire and averting explosive disaster.

“It is regrettable that it has taken over forty years for these brave firefighters to be appropriately recognised. “It is regrettable that those courageous firefighters who are now deceased were not recognised during their lifetime, and although this late recog­nition provides them no solace, perhaps it does, for their families, fellow fire fighters and the community.

“On behalf of the Parkes community, I ex­tend enduring gratitude to these men, and their families, not only for their bravery and courageous actions which saved the town, but also for the many years of dedicated service to the community,” Mr Donato said.

A rock monument bearing a plaque was installed at Parkes’ new fire station to recognise the dedication of the firefighters who extinguished the 1983 Mobil Depot fuel fire.