NSW RFS Northern Beaches Catering Brigade

We are all deeply saddened by the death of our friend and life member of Northern Beaches Catering Brigade, Carole Hocking. She died peacefully on Saturday evening after a long illness.

Carole joined Warringah Pittwater Catering Unit (now Northern Beaches Catering Brigade) in August 1995 and immediately became involved in the running of the brigade by taking on the role of Treasurer, a role which she held for 6 years.

In 2006, Carole was appointed Deputy Captain and she held that rank for 13 years until 2019. In the Catering Brigade, the rank of Deputy Captain means that you are a crew leader, leading duty crews once a month on duty days and in emergencies. Carole did this with unwavering commitment and the rare times she wasn’t on duty were usually when there was a tennis tournament on somewhere – anywhere from Melbourne to Wimbledon!

When she was appointed Quartermaster in 2010, she took on the role with gusto and could often be found at the kitchen, making sure that the pantry and freezer were fully stocked and that everything was in its proper place. She was our Quartermaster for 9 years.

Carole was an enthusiastic participant in the NSW State Championships, attending several times and jointly leading a team from all over the state in the 2014 ‘My Kitchen Rules’ competition.

In 2013, Carole was awarded Life Membership of Northern Beaches Catering Brigade. She also received the 10 and 20 year Long Service Medal and clasp, the National Medal, the Premier’s Bushfire Citation Emergency Citation Award in 2020 and the National Emergency Medal in 2022, both for her work during the 2019/20 fires.

During her time in the brigade, Carole was always there during the fires and emergencies, making sure the kitchen was stocked and cooking up her trademark spaghetti bolognaise (amongst other goodies). She had a down to earth attitude towards everything, was a willing mentor to new members and always ready to give help and advice. Carole retired from active duty in the RFS in August 2020.

She is sorely missed and our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to her family and friends.

Happy International Women's Day! We have many wonderful female members, whose skills, life experience and unwavering commitment make our team stronger. Here's to all women out there, especially the volunteers!

We're not always in the kitchen!

At the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month – we pause to remember them. Lest we forget.

Pay a visit to your local RFS brigade this weekend to have a chat about getting ready for the bushfire season. Check first to see when they're open. We know that NSW RFS - Terrey Hills Brigade is open today. Pop in to Bunnings Belrose today to have a sausage sandwich, cooked by members of Duffys Forest Rural Fire Brigade The truck will be there for the kids (and anyone else) to have a sit in and you can have a chat about getting ready for the bushfire season too. The brand new Duffys Forest fire station at the end of Anembo Road will be open from 2pm to 5pm tomorrow (Sunday). Well worth having a look and again, members will be there to chat about getting ready for the bushfire season. Also Ingleside Rural Fire Brigade Davidson Rural Fire Brigade Belrose Rural Fire Brigade and Tumbledown Dick Rural Fire Brigade

It’s ! Where brigades throw open their doors and invite you to have a chat about the upcoming fire season. With over 530 events across NSW this weekend, our firefighters are ready to answer all of your questions and help you better prepare your family and property for the risk of fire.​

We look forward to seeing you at an event this weekend. For more information and to find one near you, visit the RFS website: www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/getready

On Tuesday, when Northern Beaches district held the Medals Presentation for 2023, the team from Northern Beaches Catering were hard at work in the kitchen preparing 'refreshments' for the attendees. Another team were doing the same on Thursday evening. 🙂👩‍🍳🧑‍🍳

Northern Beaches District Medal Presentations were held this week on Tuesday and Thursday. Congratulations to all RFS members who received RFS Long Service Medals and National Medals, especially to Northern Beaches Catering Brigade members, Kristine Mackie, who received the Long Service Medal Clasp for 20 years' service and Veronica Crosweller, who received the Long Service Medal for 10 years' service.

Have you’ve ever considered volunteering and wondered what’s it’s like being a female bushfire fighter? If so come to our open day at Tumble station and hear what it’s like from the ladies of Tumble and the Northern Beaches district.

We held our AGM today. This is when we take stock of the year gone by and elect operational and administrative officers for the year to come. Congratulations to the officers who were elected and re-elected at the meeting today.

9 members of Northern Beaches Catering and one member of NB Communications completed the BFS (Bush Firefighter Support) course today. Congratulations to all! 👏👍

Happy Mother's Day to all our beautiful mothers in the brigade and all mums in Australia. Thank you for all that you do for your families and the community. ♥️

This Anzac Day, remembering those who have gone before and thinking of those who are presently serving. Lest we forget.

Exciting news 📝‼️Back by popular demand, our “Women helping women” free public workshops will be offered in March and April this year.
Don’t miss your opportunity to gain practical knowledge and be prepared in emergency situations. We promise it is going to be a fun and engaging session, places are limited.
Registration is essential, click the link below to secure your spot.
https://forms.office.com/r/dzKxwfu78w
If you know any woman who will be interested, feel free to share the info. We look forward to seeing you there!

Happy New Year from us to you! May you have a happy, healthy and peaceful 2023.

Thank you to all our members for their hard work throughout the year. Our members have prepared hundreds of meals for our firefighters doing training courses, hazard reductions, during emergencies and events like the district field day. Members also trained, completing Bush Firefighter, First Aid Application, Food Safety Supervisor and Advanced Resuscitation Training courses. Highlights were the State Championships in Wollongong and members receiving the National Emergency Medal for their contributions during the 2019/20 bushfires.

At the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month – we pause to remember them. Lest we forget.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

NPWS and NSW RFS firefighters will take advantage of favourable weather this weekend to conduct a hazard reduction burn west of Duffys Forest.

The burn is scheduled to begin on Saturday 5th November, weather dependent, and run across the weekend.

This will be the first hazard reduction burn that has been able to be conducted for some time due to the prolonged wet conditions. These are important activities that help reduce the bush fire risk to our communities.

It is import for residents living in bush fire prone areas to consider their level of preparedness and take the time to prepare their homes and bush fire survival plans.

A list of scheduled hazard reductions is available on the NSW RFS website: https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information/hazard-reductions

It's Get Ready Weekend! Come on down to Bunnings at Belrose Supercentre, have a sausage sandwich cooked by our friends from Duffys Forest Rural Fire Brigade and find out how to prepare your home for the fire season.

For more information on getting ready, go to www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/news-and-media/getready

Good luck to all teams competing at the NSW RFS State Championships over the weekend, including 4 members from NB Catering Brigade who are taking part in the Catering competition while providing some yummy food for all the participants, judges and helpers.

We are deeply saddened by the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Thank you for your long and faithful service, Ma'am. May you rest in peace.

Happy Mother's Day to all our Mums! May your day be as beautiful as this rose. ❤️💛

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.