The residents of the Glenorie District were invited to attend a special presentation on Preparing for the upcoming Fire Season at our monthly meeting at the Glenorie RSL, Thursday 14 September.
We were honoured to have fabulous speakers – two officers of The Hills Rural Fire Service Fire Control Centre – Nathan Barnden FCO2 and Scott Callan Operations Officer. Plus Mitchell Blue, The Hills Shire Councillor and Chair of the Bush Fire Risk Management Committee presented.
Nathan and Scott presented comprehensive facts and figures and videos to support the necessity for all residents to Prepare Your Property for a bushfire in Glenorie. History of fires and the RFS was clearly outlined, the focus on our area.
The horrific 2002 fires starting on December 4 that impacted Glenorie District and beyond resulted in the tragic loss of two lives and the loss of 9 houses in Glenorie. The 2002 fire was right here in the village and even the RSL Club was surrounded by fire. The question was answered that – it is not IF it will happen again – but WHEN.
The current seasonal outlook was given that The Hills and Hornsby areas are likely to experience an extremely high fire danger this summer as we were not directly affected in the disastrous 2019/20 fires preferable. Many of lives lost in 2019-20 fires were because unprepared residents stayed to defend. He reminded everyone present that a house can be rebuilt but family members lost can’t be returned to us.
Mitchell presented information on the Bush Fire Risk Management Committee with details of the various agencies coming together to plan mitigation/hazard reduction (HR) works and fire trail maintenance.
Questions were answered re HRs and the difficulties of accessing the window of opportunity between wet weather and when it becomes too hot to burn. Mitchell also discussed the responsibility of residents in cluster divisions to comply with the bush fire management plan developed for their area including keeping a level of water available in tanks for fire protection.
Nathan went on to explain the ways to PLAN whether to Leave Early OR Stay and Defend, the first option being preferable, noting again that life is more important than property. Neighbourhood Safer Places as Places of Last Resort were mentioned.
Important also to note that there are limited resources in comparison with the number of properties to defend – the message being – DO NOT expect a fire truck at your property when the fire is coming.
Know the Fire Alerts when a fire is coming and the Fire Danger Levels showing the risk of a fire in the area. Message delivered – It is Your responsibility to Prepare Your Property and to Plan for a fire emergency. Making a Plan is a discussion and decision for all the family as too often a spouse or teenage child is home alone when fire comes.
Go to nsw.rfs.gov.au/plan-and-prepare to download your Bushfire Survival Plan or you can make your plan online in as little as five minutes at www.myfireplan.com.au
If there is an emergency call 000 (Triple Zero) but if you want information about a fire, go to
• Bush Fire Information Line – 1800 679 737
Or Hazards Near Me – a great tool for everyone to load and create a Watch Zone.
Residents were able to speak with the RFS personnel with any questions after the presentation
RAY WHITEMAN HERITAGE FENCE PROJECT PROGRESS…
Here you can see the carvings to go one of the four Military piers… a great start by Karl of Aussie Stonemasons.
Huge thanks to:
Glenorie Woolworths
Greater Hills Rotary Club and Bendigo Bank for their support of this project!
Members of the GPA held two Fundraising days at Glenorie Woolworths on Saturdays 26 August and 2 September and raised almost $1000 on those days. Thanks to those members and to Hills Rotary for their contribution. Thank you to those who donated and here is how you can still donate to this fantastic project by:
• Direct credit donation to Community Bank Galston & District “The Ray Whiteman Heritage Fence Fund”: BSB 633 000 Account 172 608 085
• Drop into Tahlia’s Takeaway – Look for our Donations Jar.
• Return and Earn – Download the app so when you recycle your bottles at Glenorie Woolworths you help the planet while supporting the fence. Select the Ray Whiteman Heritage Fence as your active payout to donate your Return and Earn refund.
• Scan the QR below code to make an instant donation to our GoFundMe page
JOIN US… All residents – “new” or “old” – are welcome to join our Association and get lots of info sent directly to you and help in our community.
