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.

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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.

Fire Season

Fire Season for Port Stephens begins on 1 October, however the date may be brought forward depending on conditions leading up to the fire season.

From this date, if you wish to have a pile burn in your yard you must have a fire permit.

To obtain a permit, call NSW RFS – Lower Hunter at 02 4015 0000.

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

Operation TOKEN

On Saturday 10 September 2022, Port Stephens-Hunter Police District conducted Operation TOKEN in conjunction with Port Stephens Council, Maitland City Council and the Hunter Water Corporation.

Operation TOKEN is a coordinated multi-agency deployment to address and identify offences involving unregistered motorcycles as a result of information received from the community.

The operation was conducted in the following locations: Rutherford, Telarah, Farley, Chisholm, Thornton, Tenambit, Raymond Terrace, Medowie, Tanilba Bay, Fern Bay and Tomago.

As part of the operation Police identified eight bike riders, one of them being a habitual offender, issued multiple traffic infringements for unregistered/uninsured offences, recovered stolen motor vehicles and conducted random breath tests.

By Tara CAMPBELL