Hundreds of grateful community members gathered at the Lake Cathie foreshore to thank frontline firefighters and emergency service members on November 17.
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The event was a collaboration between the Lake Cathie-Bonny Hills Lions Club, the Lake Cathie Progress Association and Revive Lake Cathie.
At the Lake Cathie foreshore music blasted, families danced and the community said their thanks.
Port Macquarie-Hastings mayor Peta Pinson called the men and women in yellow superheroes for all their hard work.
"Yellow is the new black because our absolutely amazing firefighters are true heroes after what they have done over the last few weeks," Cr Pinson said.
"The whole community is so thankful that we didn't have to experience the true horrific nature of the fires' wrath because of all these wonderful people.
"It is a shame it has taken something a terrible as the last few weeks for everyone to see how truly incredible our firefighters are. But everyone is incredibly grateful for what they have done.
"From the countless hours our firies spend away from their family and friends to train, and all the work they have put in over the last weeks. They are the true heroes."
Port Macquarie MP and Lake Cathie resident Leslie Williams said the thank you event was a chance for the community to recognise the efforts of the firefighters, who helped save countless local properties and lives.
"Today was a great opportunity for the Lake Cathie community to come together and say thank you to the RFS volunteers and firefighters who protected our town," Mrs Williams said.
"As a resident of Lake Cathie I too had fire at the end of my street. Without the fantastic efforts of our firies, who know how many houses would have been lost."
NSW minister for emergency services David Elliott and the RFS commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons also attended the thank you event and spoke incredibly highly of our local RFS volunteers.
Vern Warner from the Lake Cathie Progress Association said despite the less than ideal weather conditions at the thank you event, it was a true celebration of those who protected the community.
"The windy weather hasn't been ideal but hundreds of people have come to say thank you to the frontline firefighters.That is what the whole day is about," Mr Warner said.
Ocean Club Resort resident Jan Turney said without the emergency services her home would have burned to the ground.
"I am just so incredibly thankful for the firefighters who saved our houses," Mrs Turney said.
"Without their help I would have lost my house. All the firefighters were so wonderful making sure we were safe. They knew what was going on when the fire came close to us.
"This thank you event is absolutely wonderful, so we can say a special thank you. I would not have missed it for the world."
More from the Mid North Coast Bushfire emergency:
- Port Macquarie Koala Hospital concerned about fire impact
- The Goodsells part of the RFS family
- Bathurst family devastated after Wauchope property destroyed
- Three thousand firefighters on the ground battling state-wide bushfires
- Terrifying fire destroys homes and nature reserve in Pappinbarra
- Chambers thank business for bushfire donations and volunteer support
