After bushfires, floods and a global pandemic, Old Bar residents have dusted off the Christmas lights this year to raise money for the people who saved their homes from the bushfires two years ago.
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Participating households have been taking it in turns going out on the street with a donation bucket each night to raise funds for the Old Bar Rural Fire Service (RFS), as well as promoting the GoFundMe campaign online.
Organiser and resident, Sally Thompson said the decision to donate to the RFS was an easy one.
Sally and her husband, Matt had just got the keys to their newly built home in Old Bar days before the fires in 2019.
"To say it was scary was an understatement. My husband watched the RFS save all our houses and wanted to do good like that, so he joined the RFS straight after," Sally said.
The RFS saved our house that day.
- Old Bar resident Sally Thompson reflects on the 2019 bushfires.
"The RFS saved our house that day."
The goal was to raise $1000 through GoFundMe campaign, which they already passed on Monday morning, December 6.
"What we have all learnt is that as a community we can get through anything and at a time when we needed them the most, the Old Bar Rural Fire Service were our hero and saved the town."
Old Bar RFS community engagement officer, Sharon Gatt said the brigade plans on using the funds to purchase a much needed industrial washing machine and dryer, so that volunteers can safely wash their uniforms.
At present they don't have either.
Donations can be made at the donations bucket on Albatross Way in Old Bar and on the GoFundMe page 'Albatross Way Christmas light spectacular'.
Old Bar Christmas Carols
This year the Old Bar RFS will be involved in two Christmas carols events taking the fire trucks and Santa around the town to hand out lollies.
On Sunday, December 12 Santa will be arriving in the CAT 1 Fire Truck at the Old Bar Public School carols from 4pm.
On Saturday, December 18 the team will be doing two 'Santa Runs' - one in Wallabi Point between 5pm and 6pm with the CAT 7 fire truck, and the other will be in Old Bar between 4pm and 6pm with the CAT 1 Fire Truck and will end at the carols on the grass near the Surf Life Saving Club.
These carols start at 4pm with activities and games and will be finished at around 6pm with Santa's arrival in the truck. These Carols are organised by One Life Church in Taree.
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