The RFSA has run four very successful days in areas of the State - at Pretty Pine in the Mid Murray Zone, Spring Ridge in the Liverpool Range Zone, Ungarie in the Bland/Temora Zone and at Urana in the Riverina Region. These areas continue to suffer from the affects of the severe drought in NSW which has had a dramatic impact on the social and financial aspects of many of our volunteers and their families in their day to day lives.  

 

The Volunteers' Family Days have provided a few hours relief for approximately 1,250 people and it is great to see smiling faces with adults and children all enjoying the party atmosphere - full tummies, the live bands and plenty of activities to entertain the crowds, not to mention the free ice-cream, the visits from Santa and the lolly bags.  

 

On the more serious side of these events, it is heartening to know that some of our volunteers have been able to take advantage of the wonderful service provided by Paul Scott and his fellow counsellors. This service, along with the RFS Chaplaincy, is an intricate part of the Volunteers' Family Day program and is the silent accomplishment of these days.

 

It is extremely pleasing to see the continuing support of the Executive, State Council and the local Zones, who without their support, we would not be able to provide our volunteers with this benefit. Thank you also to all the “purple” helpers, who without your generosity and time, we could not achieve even the most moderate success.

 

How do you gauge success? One 11 year old girl was asked what she thought of the day at Pretty Pine and to her what was the best part of the day? She replied, “It was great to see Mum and Dad smiling again!” To us that says it all.