The close-knit community of Cullen Bullen gathered together to thank the members of the RFS for their bravery when defending the area from the recent bushfires.
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A special dinner to honour the volunteers was held at the local Progress Association Hall on Saturday, February 8 where residents gathered to say thank you to them for going above and beyond the call of duty.
Agnes Tilley and her dedicated band of members from the Cullen Bullen Progress Association and Tidy Towns were the driving force behind the event .
Local RFS captain Darcy McCann and his troops were given a standing ovation as their efforts were officially acknowledged by guests including Bathurst MP Paul Toole and Lithgow councillor Maree Statham.
Ms Tilley said they just wanted to do something to say thank you to these special people who put their lives on the line for not only their local community, but in other areas too.
"They really haven't received the recognition they deserve you know, we are forever grateful and it was pretty evident here tonight how the community feels," she said.
"They are our heroes."
Ms Tilley presented a special certificate of recognition to Captain McCann who was clearly humbled by all the fuss.
"Cullen Bullen had been evacuated as the fire came raging towards the town. We thought everything was going to be lost ... and I mean everything," Mr McCann said.
"However, a change in wind direction saw the fire go back on itself and by some sort of miracle it turned around and went the other way.
"All our volunteers are champions, just the best team of people you could image.
"They do what they do because we are all about community here at Cullen Bullen. That's what is so special about this place."
Bathurst MP Paul Toole said that it was great to be able to say thank you to the local RFS volunteers for what they did for the community.
"This has clearly been a stressful and emotional time for everyone in the town, but what it does show is the resilience and determination of residents who band together when the going gets tough," he said.
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