Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Support Brigade
Aerial Water Bombing Exercise
Members of Support Brigade took part in a waterbombing exercise involving 3 helicopters and 3 fixed-wing aircraft from Friday August 7 through to Sunday August 9.
Working at Cowan Airbase, Support crew were primarily involved in the deployment and operation of the 18,000 litre buoywall which was used by helicopters to pick up water for targeted bombing runs.
Members also assisted with transportation, helicopter refuelling and road advisory signage.
Support Brigade is being increasingly asked to be involved in an aviation capacity, something which offers a large variety of potential roles.
April Training Day
Today's training session for the Brigade was based around Aviation management in the RFS. Around 15 members were given a broad overview of the operations of helipads and airbases, and the roles that members could be asked to carry out in future.
With our brigade increasingly taking on roles in Aviation management and support, this was an important and enjoyable day for those in attendance.
2015 Annual General Meeting Results
The Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Annual General Meeting was held this evening. Around 45 brigade members attended.
The following field officers and office bearers were elected for 2015-16:
| Field Officers | Administration | |||
| Captain | Ben de Leon | President | Bill Scott | |
| Senior Deputy |
John Nelson | Vice President | Geoff Turnbull | |
| Deputy 2 | Alan Barnwell | Secretary | Dave Cordery | |
| Deputy 3 | Geoff Percival | Treasurer | Stephanie de Leon | |
| Deputy 4 | Chris Robison | Training Officer |
Geoff Percival | |
| Deputy 5 | Geoff Turnbull | Assistant Training Officer |
Phil Gallop | |
| Deputy 6 | John A'Beckett | Equipment Officer |
Terry Walters | |
| Deputy 7 | Peter Brogan | Station Officer |
Rex Callaghan | |
| Deputy 8 | Paul Browning | First Aid Officer |
Ian Griffith | |
| Deputy 9 | Phil Gallop | RFSA Delegate |
Dave Cordery | |
| Social Convenor |
Janice Turnbull | |||
| Social Committee |
Marg Arscott, Dawn Henry, Stephanie de Leon | |||
The outgoing captain, Alan Barnwell, presented the Captain's Encouragement Award for 2014-15 to Geoff Turnbull. Alan was especially thanked by all in attendance, including an Inspector from the District Office and Group Captain 1, for his outstanding leadership in the evolution and development of the Support Brigade into an effective unit, and received a special presentation.
The evening finished with supper.
Vehicle & equipment familiarisation day
A number of Support members attended a regional vehicle and equipment familiarisation day at Westleigh Training Centre today. Members were shown all the workings of tankers and the multitude of equipment used in RFS activities. Topics covered included:
- Pump & Foam
- Tyres & Recovery
- Vehicle engines
- Hose banding & correct testing
- Hand Tool Maintenance
- Portable Pumps & Generators
Support members involved in regional fire boat exercises
Saturday March 7 saw the largest Fire Boat exercise in the southern hemisphere being conducted on the Hawkesbury River. 15 Support brigade members were amongst the 175 participants that took part in the day long exercises.
After a 5am start, members were transported to the staging area and then deployed in various exercises including a ferry fire, sinking vessel, ladder rescues, pump staging and a marina fire. Everyone involved gained valuable experience in what was a tiring but thoroughly enjoyable day.
See more photos in the Photo Gallery.