Retired NSW Fire and Rescue members will meet at Albion Park Training College. Photo: Katrina Condie.
Retired firefighters from across the Illawarra and Shoalhaven are invited to share laughs, memories and a meal at Albion Park on Thursday 21 November.
Every year the Illawarra branch of Fire and Rescue NSW Retirees Association puts on a luncheon for retired members and their partners.
This year attendees will get a meal and a show at Albion Park Training College, Airport Road, Albion Park when the crew at the training college conduct a rescue demonstration and other evolutions.
Organiser Don Walshe said the annual event was a treasured opportunity for retired members to meet up with old workmates and friends.
“The nature of the fire service is as you move from station to station you lose contact with friends you’ve made,” he said.
“This is a day to bump into people you’ve worked with over the years, catch up and find out what ther’ve been doing with their lives.
“It’s quite amusing when you spot someone you haven’t seen for 10 or 20 years.”
Don said in addition to a dedication to protecting their communities, most firefighters shared a love for spinning a good yarn – and retired firefighters were no exception.
The reunion offers the perfect opportunity to reminisce and tell a tall tale or two.
“Often you meet people for the first time, but they served at the same stations you have,” he said.
“Then lots of stories come out about different personalities and fires you attended, some dangerous, some emotional and some amusing.
“It’s a really good day for everyone involved.”
The day begins from 11:30 am, before lunch at 12:30 pm, then the rescue demonstrations.
Don said the team at the training college should put on a good show with some of the latest equipment, and he appreciated the efforts they went to to make the day happen.
“The new recruits and rescue crews will put a dummy inside a wreck car and demonstrate the way they go about rescuing a person from an accident,” he said.
“Then they’ll show some of the new methods and equipment they would use; it should be quite interesting.”
To RSVP, get in touch with Andrew Barber at [email protected] or on 0402 219 118, or contact Don at [email protected] or on 0416 217 448.
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