As the bushfire season looms, communities across New South Wales are once again being urged to prepare for the months ahead. Each September, the NSW Rural Fire Service rolls out its statewide Get Ready Weekend, a grassroots initiative designed to help residents understand their fire risk, create survival plans and learn how to safeguard their homes and land.
This year, the Glenorie Rural Fire Brigade brought the program to the heart of the village, setting up outside Woolworths Glenorie for a day of practical advice and community engagement. The event drew a steady stream of locals keen to speak with volunteers about hazard reduction, Fire Danger Ratings and the importance of maintaining defensible space around their properties. Behind the scenes, the support of Woolworths Glenorie proved invaluable, with Store Manager Richard Henry throwing his full backing behind the initiative, including donating the sausages that kept the community well fed during the popular sausage sizzle.
Henry’s connection to the RFS runs far deeper than his store’s community role. Raised in Hornsby Heights and now living in Galston, he has spent 36 years with Woolworths, including 25 as a Store Manager across three states. But from 1988 to 2002, he also served as a volunteer firefighter with Hornsby RFS Headquarters. During the devastating 1994 fire emergency, Henry was among the volunteers deployed to battle blazes across Maroota, Wisemans Ferry, Canoelands and Lane Cove National Park—a period he recalls as both confronting and formative. His ongoing advocacy for RFS volunteers has made him a familiar and highly valued supporter of the Glenorie brigade.
Glenorie RFS says Henry’s help remains deeply appreciated, particularly during community education events like this year’s Get Ready Weekend, where practical preparation can make a life-saving difference. As the region braces for another challenging fire season, volunteers are hopeful the information shared will empower residents to take the steps needed to protect themselves and their properties.
Looking ahead, the brigade is also preparing for one of its most cherished traditions: the annual Christmas Eve Santa Run. Locals are invited to join the festive convoy from 4pm on Christmas Eve, departing from Timaru Street, Glenorie. It’s an event that brings excitement to children and families alike and offers a moment of joy and connection before the height of summer truly begins.
