This Site Was Last Updated On
12th July 2026
The
NSW Fire Brigades Retirees Association Incorporated, is a voluntary
association which aims to provide members with useful information, keep
members advised of upcoming events, send offs, dinners and functions
and maintains the comradeship and friendships formed during service
with NSW Fire Brigades. Depending on privacy considerations it may be
possible to help members keep in touch with or contact former comrades.
The association is open to any retired member of NSW Fire Brigades both
operational and administrative and includes wives and husbands. It
costs nothing to join the Association,
just write, call or email and give us your details or
complete the Membership Form on line.
Latest News!
(12/07/2026)
From
Bill Powell: I have received the sad news that Retired Senior Firefighter 2440
Doug Beattie has been admitted to St George Private Hospital, Kogarah, suffering a serious illness. Doug is in Ward 423, but unfortunately is unable to have visitors.
If you wish to pass on a message please contact Andy Wilson 0408 645 100.
Kind regards, Bill Powell
(07/07/2026)
Dear Retirees. It is my pleasure to announce the following event. 2026 NSWFB Retirees South Region
BBQ, to be held on Wednesday 12th August
2026, at No21 Station Kogarah Cnr Gray and Kensington St's. From 12 noon.
Please notify your intention of attending and numbers to Metropolitan South 2 Zone Office (02) 9561 7900 or Email
ms2admin@fire.nsw.gov.au
Enquiries Bob Gouttman 0432 520 797. Cheers Bill Powell President NSWFB Retirees.
(07/07/2026)
From Paul Cullen. Comms Christmas in July Monday 27th July 2026
from 12 midday Helm Bar, Darling Harbour. Do ya best and spread the word. No need to reply, just a group reminder. Cheers,Cullo.
(06/07/2026)
Assistant Commissioner Murray West's Farewell Function:
Friday, 16th October 2026
Flyer
(03/07/2026)
Central Coast
Breakfast at Wamberal: Hi Everyone, Just a reminder that our monthly get together is next
Monday, 6th July 2026. All firefighters and retired firefighters are welcome.
Come along and renew old friendships and make new ones, 9.30 am at Wamberal Surf Club, Dover Road, Wamberal.
Hoping to see you there, Mick Ryan
(27/06/2026)
Friday Firies Toongabbie Sports and Bowling Club - Friday,
31st
July 2026.
Details
(27/06/2026)
Southside Get-together Union Place Hotel Jannali - Tuesday,
14th July 2026. Details
(27/06/2026)
New NSWFB Retirees Committee Members:
Introduction from Bill Powell
(25/06/2026)
Message from Bill Powell: I would like to sincerely thank our members for their support, best wishes and encouragement during my recent long-term stay in hospital. It is with deep appreciation that their wishes and thoughts assisted my mental wellbeing. Special thanks to Webmaster Barry Fiddler for his regular posting of my medical condition for the information of members. This nine week hospital stay came about following a random heart check and resulted in major surgery with later complications.
My partner Val is also extremely grateful for the support she has received during her ongoing medical ordeal.
When I am fully recovered, I will contact you all to thank you personally. Without this amazing support, it would have been much harder to get through what has been a very difficult time.
Kind regards. Bill Powell - President
(19/06/2026)
The Retirees Association has been advised of the passing on 15th June 2026 of retired F/F
Matt LARKIN aged 95. Matt joined the NSWFB on 06/04/1956 and transferred to Canberra on the creation of the ACTFB before retiring on 07/01/1981. His service number with the NSWFB was 2093 and 16 with the
ACTFB. Funeral details will be provided when advised.
Funeral
(17/06/2026)
Kogarah NSWFB Retirees BBQ:
Wednesday, 12th August 2026 from 12 noon
onwards. 21 Station Grey St, Kogarah. Please notify intention of
attending and numbers to Metropolitan South 2 Zone Office (02) 9561 7900
or email ms2admin@fire.nsw.gov.au
. Enquiries Bob Goutman
0432 520 797.
(12/06/2026)
The Commissioner regrets to advise the passing of retired Inspector (3441) Wayne David HYLAND
formerly of (N3) Newcastle Zone Office on 10th June 2026. Wayne joined the NSW Fire Brigades on 4th June 1965 and retired on 13th August 2003
dedicating over 38 years of service to the organisation. Wayne served at various fire stations across Sydney, including Stanmore, Burwood, Hornsby, Lane Cove, Gordon and Newcastle.
Funeral
(10/06/2026)
Latest
Commissioner's Orders
2026/11 received.
(05/03/2026)
Illness Notice
Alan Smith: I've been asked by Alan Smith's daughter
Natalie, to let you know that he has not been well lately and has
had a few long stays in hospitals in the Brisbane area. Alan served
from 1968 to 1996 and his last stations were 86 Penrith and 74
Toongabbie. If there is anyone that would like to catch up with
Alan, Natalie has asked for you to contact her on
0411 642 031. Ian Sargent (5864)3972.
(27/02/2026)
From Paul Cullen: The next E District Reunion, scheduled for
Friday 25th September 2026 from Midday onwards at
The Redfern, Cnr George and Redfern Sts will be dedicated to
Bubba Darrel BOON. Flyer
(26/02/2026)
From Paul Cullen FYI. Comms Lunch dates for
2026. Monday, 27th July
the
Helm Bar Darling Harbour and Tuesday,
24th November the Zetland Hotel Green Square.
All venues are from noon onwards. Do your best and spread the word.
Cheers Cullo.
Permanent Messages
(28/02/2026)
Article from Chris Jurgeit re- Presumptive Cancer Legislation. Article.
(17/01/2026)
An article from Alan Hitchell on Tamworth
Classic Fire Engine Museum.
(01/07/2025)
A message from Perry Campbell:
Just a short note to say thank you to all you hard working wonderful Committee Members of our NSWFB Retirees Association.
I being a retired Firey, as you know, really appreciate the informative updates/happenings that you continuously provide by way of our web site & I also, like a number of other
ex-Fireys, check for news nearly every day.
I must say that anytime I have contacted any Committee Member I have always received excellent assistance/advice.
A couple of recent instances where you people have made a huge difference to Family & Friends of
'passing' Retired Firefighters in my area, for which I sincerely especially thank you for. They are being Robert
'Bobby' Treseder, (late of Narromine Brigade) & Patrick 'Paddy' Hearne, (late of Trangie Brigade). Both gentlemen being not only colleagues of mine but also dear friends of some 35 years. RIP Gents.
Also RIP one of the NSWFB real Gentlemen in Ross Freeman, with his recent passing.
Please keep up the great work, & BTW, I can personally vouch for the sincerity & dedication of many of the current Committee Members, due to in my 33 plus years of service, I
worked alongside or contiguously with, some 17 or 18 of you lovely people !
Thanks again. Kind regards, Perry Campbell 4479. (The Princess)
28/02/2025)
Invitation to Retired Firefighters and those contemplating Retirement Region North
3 – New England & NW Command.
Details
(28/02/2025)
Invitation to Retired Firefighters and those contemplating Retirement Region North 2 – Northern Rivers.
Details
(05/03/2024)
From National Emergency Worker Support Service | Black Dog Institute:
Good afternoon NSWFB Retirees Secretary, I am an Implementation Practice Manager at Black Dog Institute, working on the National Emergency Worker Support Service
(NEWSS). NEWSS is a free, confidential mental health support for emergency service workers – both active and retired.
Details
(08/09/2023)
Workplace illness Claims including cancer - update from Darin Sullivan:
Retirees are still advised to contact FRNSW Health and Safety
Branch, as well as an experienced Solicitor, to ensure they receive support and guidance for workplace illness claims, including cancer related illnesses.
Masselos and Co are still the FBEU preferred/suggested solicitors as the most experienced in these matters. Contacting the FBEU directly may still be of some benefit if having trouble navigating these difficult issues.
- Darin Sullivan, Former FBEU President.
(10/08/2023)
Updated:
Further
EAP provider information for retired members
The Association has received from FRNSW Retirees' Peer Support
Officer, retired Superintendent Chris Jurgeit, the following new document recently published by FRNSW about
Transitioning into
Retirement. It contains great information both for staff contemplating retirement/separation and for those who have already made the move.
Chris states - Two important points will be added at the next review of the document, however they are pertinent now ie
- Page 10 (Section 4) - Under EAP that the service is now also available to staff who have left FRNSW (up to 5 years post leaving)
- so they can continue to get support for their transition out of FRNSW after they have officially left
- Page 16 - All staff have access to 6 free sessions with a financial counsellor per year (through EAP
"Money Assist" program) - this could be useful for those planning to transition away from
FRNSW.
Various sections of this document are both applicable and helpful to current retired firefighters. For example, Section 4 - Well Being, Section 6 - Volunteering, Section 7 - Know Your Finances and Page 21 - Check List.
For information or questions, please contact the FRNSW Retirees' Peer Support Duty Officer 0477 342
750.
Bill Powell AFSM President NSWFB Retirees Association
(02/03/2023)
FORMATION OF NSW FIRE AND RESCUE CEREMONIAL TEAM:
Senior Fire Fighter George Lloyd, under the guidance of Superintendent Peter
Stathis, (now retired), and Superintendent Greg Houston have assembled a
NSW Fire & Rescue Ceremonial Team. This team currently comprises
twenty four Members who volunteer their time to represent FRNSW at funerals, as well as Anzac Day and Graduation ceremonies.
Protocol procedures play out an important role in the Brigade’s future. Over the past two years the Ceremonial Team has attended a number of funerals for both retired and currently serving Members.
Please find attached a short video of the Ceremonial Team at the funeral of Bruce Johnson.
If any NSW retired fire fighters or their family would like to have the Ceremonial Team participate in a service, please contact the President, Bill Powell at
bill.p133@live.com
(1/12/2022)
Updated email address:
Need someone to talk to? The Retiree’s Peer Support Team is a group of retired firefighters, who are there to support other firefighters when personal difficulties arise in their life.
Right now, many people are experiencing further challenges caused by draught, bushfire crisis and now a worldwide pandemic.
The members of retiree’s peer support are not counselors, but someone to talk to and if appropriate, guide you to professional help.
All conversations are treated with confidentiality. Contact Information:
Email: retiredpeersfrnsw@gmail.com
Website: www.retiredfirefightersupport.com.au
Duty Officer: 0477 342 750
(04/06/2020)
Online Condolence Book:
With the recent sad passing of firefighters within our FRNSW family,
it is fitting to honour them and reflect on their service by
creating a personalised online condolence book.
Details
(09/03/2019)
From: Darin Sullivan:
Hi all, If you have had a cancer that may be related to firefighting but think it may be outside the current legislation that we got through parliament, please contact me for more information. Feel free to pass this and my email address on to others this may also assist.
Regards, Sully darinsullivan1@gmail.com
(12/10/2017)
Another report on the problem with old type Foam.
(16/08/17)
Latest PFAS information
supplied by Chief Superintendent Dave Felton AFSM.
1.
Information Sheet - PFAS Questions & Answers
2.
Information Sheet Firefighting Foam and PFAS
3.
Timeline - FRNSW Historical Use of PFAS Containing Firefighting Foam
(11/01/16)
Letter From Roger Bucholtz Re: Defined Benefit Income. Letter
(14/03/12)
The FRNSW Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. These
medals are not automatically issued to existing retirees. If you
qualify you must submit a Request To Be Recognised For Long
Service And Good Conduct Award form. Form
Dates Items Last Updated
*** Funeral
Notices 21/06/2026 ***
*** Commissioner's
Orders 09/07/2026 ***
Photo Gallery
09/11/2025
Regional
Retiree Reunions 17/06/2026
*** Retirement
Functions 06/07/2026 ***
*** Social Events
27/06/2026 ***