Jenny Ware (Hughes, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm delighted to rise to acknowledge the Engadine brigade of the Rural Fire Service, located in my electorate of Hughes. The Engadine RFS was established in 1916. As with all rural fire services, the Engadine Brigade is fully staffed by volunteers, currently numbering 65. Led by President Pip Wells, Captain Steve Goddard and deputy Deb Sharp, the brigade provides invaluable services to our community, including fire suppression, hazard reduction, community education, as well as recovery operations from storms and all other emergency situations.

Australians choose to live in the electorate of Hughes because of their love of the sunburnt country, epitomised by our beautiful natural environment. This includes the Royal National Park and many large pockets of urban bushland that adjoin our home. However, the beauty brings the inevitability of having to protect and defend our homes and environment against the infamous droughts and flooding rains. That's why the RFS is particularly important in Hughes.

I recently had the pleasure of attending the Engadine brigade's Get Ready Weekend open day, an annual day where the brigade provides education to the local community. This year, Pip and his team focused on the new fire danger rating system and how to prepare our homes. I thank all volunteers of the Engadine brigade and reinforce how proud our community is of the work they do for us.