Dan Repacholi (Hunter, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I want to recognise one of the hunter's finest, Captain Wayne Redfern, who has officially hung up the helmet after an incredible 40 years with Fire and Rescue NSW Station 349 at Kurri Kurri. But, like a lot of local firies, Wayne's story didn't start there. Before joining Fire and Rescue NSW back in 1986, he'd already spent 15 years with NSW Rural Fire Service. That means, for more than half a century, Wayne has been turning up at all hours of the day and night to protect Hunter families.

In communities right across the coalfields, our firefighters aren't just emergency responders. They're neighbours, workmates, coaches at the footy club and volunteers at the local school fete. Wayne has lived that community spirit every single day of his career. Whether it was responding to the house fires, car accidents, industrial incidents or natural disasters, people in the Hunter knew that, when the pager went off, Wayne would be there. It wasn't just that service on the ground either. In 2016 he proudly brought home a silver medal for the New South Wales Firefighter Championships. That's a pretty good effort for a bloke who spent his life running towards danger while the rest of us were running the other way. On behalf of the entire Hunter community, we thank you, Wayne, for your dedication, your leadership and your services, and you enjoy a well-earned retirement, mate, and have a good one at it. Cheers.