
Get Ready Weekend
Numerous fire brigades opened their doors over the weekend to provide advice and resources about preparing for the risk of a fire.

It’s worth it for your business.
Message us.
Phone us – (02) 4981 8882.
Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au
These events are a great chance to chat to local volunteers, find out more about what they do, and learn to protect yourself and your home from bushfires.
Local brigades reported a successful weekend, chatting to local community members, ensuring they have an adequate fire safety plan.
SES Volunteers
On Saturday 17 September, SES volunteers came together to celebrate the dedicated service of 22 members from the Hunter Valley, who between them had over 360 plus years of volunteer service to the community.
50 Years of Service – Dr Bob Drewer
40 years of Service – Graeme Silver
Commissioner’s Certificate of Appreciation – Robyn Barco
National Emergency Medals deploying to help in Cyclone Debbie (2017) – Greg Gunter, Peter Sherwen, Simone Burrows and Shaun Farmer
National Medals for years of Service:
30 Years’ Service – Richard Fellows and Andrew Pain
15 Years’ Service – Ben Maxwell, Judith Felton, Debra Healy, Michael Pitkin
State Emergency Service – Long Service Medal:
35 Years’ Service – Tim Miller
20 Years’ Service – Terry Purser, Greg Gunter, Noel Dipple and Simon Merrick
10 Years’ Service – Michael Mifsud, Pamela Sharp, Peter Sherwen and Tracey Martin
Geo-Targeting
Receive a text from +61 444 444 444?
The NSW Police Force uses geo-targeting to help locate vulnerable missing persons, sending emergency alerts to mobiles in the area where the person went missing.
If you receive a text message from +61 444 444 444, it is an official alert to seek your assistance.
It is not a scam.
The NSW Police Force says the message will always come from the same mobile number and the message will always include a link to an image of the missing person.
By Tara CAMPBELL