Andrew Willcox (Dawson, Liberal National Party) | Hansard source

I rise to highlight a historic milestone in my electorate of Dawson. Recently, I had the honour of attending the Bowen Fire Station's 100th anniversary celebration, an occasion that reminded me of the invaluable role emergency services play in our lives. From humble beginnings and old-style fire trucks to the sophisticated equipment of today, the Bowen Fire Station has served our community and safeguarded our citizens for generations.

To celebrate this enormous achievement, the station held a community open day, undertook training demonstrations and even showed the crowd how to put out a kitchen grease fire. Our career firefighters also showed their appreciation and respect for our rural firies, who, in an emergency, all band together to help keep our communities safe. For me, the day was a true reminder of the selfless dedication of our firefighters—their unwavering courage, their readiness to confront danger head-on and their commitment to protecting lives.

The firies are unsung heroes who embody the very essence of service and sacrifice and continue to put their lives on the line each and every day. I stand here today to honour the fine men and women who currently serve, and all those who have served, at the Bowen Fire Station. Their dedication deserves our utmost respect and admiration. Thank you. Happy 100th birthday.

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