The Hills is mourning the death of community stalwart John Ebbott OAM with tributes pouring in from the many organisations he served during 40 years and more of volunteering.
A guard of honour from the Rural Fire Service and Lions Clubs will be at his funeral on Monday, 5th May at Castlebrook Memorial Park, Rouse Hill. The service will start at 11am.
John, 74, spent 25 years co-ordinating the running of the Crestwood Community Fair at Baulkham Hills, part of the annual Orange Blossom Festival, and was also on the Hills Council Australia Day Committee for many years.
He was a Rural Fire Service volunteer for decades and spent 12 years as community liaison with the CareFlight rescue organisation and 30 years volunteering with Crestwood Lions which he helped establish. He also co-founded the Crestwood Leos club and was a Life member of APEX.
He was a scout leader and the voice of Crestwood Fair as its MC.
Social media was flooded with tributes to John following his death on April 22 and with condolences to his wife Kathy and sons Phil and Neil.
Hills Shire Mayor Michelle Byrne dedicated a Mayoral Minute at Tuesday’s meeting to John’s extensive community involvement. “In 2024, John received the Medal of the Order of Australia. While he may not have sought recognition for his many achievements, those of us who knew him always understood the depth of his impact on our community. John’s legacy is one of tireless service, community spirit.”
John was part of the RFS The Hills Communications and Schofields Brigade and just a few weeks ago, while in hospital he was given another RFS honour, Life Member of Hills Communication Brigade. It was the last of many honours John received.
The Brigade said John’s community service left “a significant mark” on numerous organisations and individuals.
“He was a highly active volunteer firefighter for many years, serving with dedication in several brigades including Kenthurst (2006-2013), North Rocks (2013-2023), and Schofields (2017-2025). One of John’s proudest contributions to the RFS was his role with The Hills Communications (2004 to 2025). He was Brigade President (2005- 2014) Deputy Captain (2007-2025) and Brigade Training Officer (2013-2024).
“His commitment to protecting the community through the NSW Rural Fire Service, particularly during the challenging 2019-2020 bushfire season, earned him numerous accolades, including the National Emergency Medal, NSW Premier’s Bushfire Emergency Citation, the RFS Long Service Medal and the National Medal. John’s expertise, especially in training Communications volunteers, was invaluable and will be deeply missed within the RFS.
“John was more than just a respected colleague in service; he was a great friend, a devoted and pragmatic community leader, and his guidance, humour, and presence will be profoundly missed. He was a rare individual whom we feel deeply privileged to have known and served alongside.”
John was an incredibly humble man who didn’t seek awards. On the day his OAM was made public last year he was cooking a Lions sausage sizzle for Australia Day at Bella Vista Farm with his wife Kathy by his side and grandchildren Jemima and Henry.
John’s funeral service was held at Castlebrook Memorial Park Rouse Hill at 11am on the 5th of May. The family had asked for no flowers but for donations to CareFlight.
