NSW RFS - The Hills Catering Brigade

National Volunteer Week 2026

With the theme of “Your Year to Volunteer”, on behalf of The Hills Catering Brigade, we’d like to say thank you to all our volunteers and district staff. Your time, support, contributions, love and energy that you all give to our brigade and to the RFS, is commendable. Each and everyone of you makes our brigade feel like family.

The Hills Relay For Life 🏃🏽‍♀️🏃🏽‍♂️💜

A huge shoutout to Karen, Grahame, Alison, Ken and Toni, for representing The Hills Catering Brigade at the Hills Relay For Life. Supporting such an invaluable cause, raising funds for Cancer Council’s research, prevention and support services.

The Hills RFS, as a collective group, placed third again in the team event, raising over $300,000.

A massive effort from all!

Mother's Day 2026 💐💐

The Hills Catering Brigade would like to wish all mums a wonderful Mother's Day!

Especially, thank you to our dedicated mums, grandmas and mother figures that are part of our brigade. You all inspire us each and every day, and we cannot thank you enough for being there for us all.

Today is about you, so sit back and relax 💝

WISEMANS FERRY ROAD MAROOTA HAZARD REDUCTION 👩🏽‍🚒👨🏽‍🚒

Just letting residents in the Maroota, South Maroota, and Sackville North areas know that a planned hazard reduction burn is taking place this Monday, 27th April. Crews have been preparing this approximately two-hectare burn, located between Wisemans Ferry Road and Haerses Road in Maroota, for some time now and will be taking advantage of the favourable conditions over the long weekend. Please be aware that smoke will be present throughout the area on Monday.

Key actions include:
🔥 Keep doors and windows closed to prevent smoke entering homes
🔥 Keep outdoor furniture under cover to prevent ember burns
🔥 Retract pool covers to prevent ember damage
🔥 Remove washing from clotheslines
🔥 Ensure pets have a protected area
🔥 Vehicles must slow down, keep windows up, turn headlights on
🔥 Sightseers must keep away from burns for their own safety
🔥 If you have asthma or a lung condition, reduce outdoor activities if smoke levels are high and if shortness of breath or coughing develops, take your reliever medicine or seek medical advice

For health information relating to smoke from bush fires and hazard reduction burning, visit the NSW Health website or Asthma Australia.

BANNERMAN ROAD HAZARD REDUCTION 👩🏽‍🚒👨🏽‍🚒

Just letting the residents in the Annangrove, Kenthurst, Kellyville and Glenhaven areas know that there is a planned hazard reduction burn taking place on Sunday 26th and Monday 27th April.

Smoke will be present across Sunday and Monday in the area. Crews have been preparing this burn for some time now and will be taking advantage of the favourable conditions over the weekend.

There will be Contraflow traffic for a period on Bannerman Road on Sunday so please factor this in if you are going somewhere, and please slowdown in the burning area.

Key actions include:
🔥 Keep doors and windows closed to prevent smoke entering homes
🔥 Keep outdoor furniture under cover to prevent ember burns
🔥 Retract pool covers to prevent ember damage
🔥 Remove washing from clotheslines
🔥 Ensure pets have a protected area
🔥 Vehicles must slow down, keep windows up, turn headlights on
🔥 Sightseers must keep away from burns for their own safety
🔥 If you have asthma or a lung condition, reduce outdoor activities if smoke levels are high and if shortness of breath or coughing develops, take your reliever medicine or seek medical advice

For health information relating to smoke from bush fires and hazard reduction burning, visit the NSW Health website or Asthma Australia.

ANZAC Day 🇦🇺🇳🇿

April 25th is a commemorative day for all Australians everywhere, ANZAC Day. We come together to remember and pay our respects to those who have served to defend Australia. We pay tribute to over 2 million people who have served Australia in all conflicts, wars and peace operations since 1914.

𝙒𝙚 𝙒𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙍𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙢

Please join us in honouring them by wearing a sprig of rosemary, attending an ANZAC Day service or donating to the ANZAC appeal. The ANZAC Spirit lives here. For more info on this monumental day, please visit http://www.anzacspirit.com.au/

𝙇𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙒𝙚 𝙁𝙤𝙧𝙜𝙚𝙩

Easter 2026 🐣🐰

Greetings from the carrot patch. Who else is egg-cited for Easter?

The Hills Catering Brigade would like to wish everyone a happy Easter!

Easter is the time to rejoice and be thankful for the gift of life, love, joy and (of course, can’t forget) chocolate bunnies.

We hope you have an egg-cellent long weekend!

……We have so many egg puns, it’s not even bunny 🤣

Bush Fire Danger Period 🔥🚒

Please be aware that as of March 31st , the Bush Fire Danger Period (BFDP) has ended for our Local Government Area. However, if you plan on conducting any burns, please make sure to reach out to your local NSW RFS District Centre via https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/plan-and-prepare/farm-fire-safety/safeburning at least 24 hours prior to initiating the fire.

Today, 31 March, marks the end of the statutory Bush Fire Danger Period (BFDP) for the majority of NSW. However, due to the ongoing fire risk, the BFDP will be extended in four Local Government Areas, including Gwydir, Mid-Western, Moree Plains and Narrabri.

While many landholders may no longer require a fire permit, you are still required to notify the RFS and your neighbours of your intention to burn at least 24 hours before lighting the fire.

For more information on the bush fire danger period and fire permits, visit the website: www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/BFDP

Special Mention 🏆

We'd like to make an honourable mention to one of our brigade members, Paul Biscoe, who was recently awarded as a Local Senior of the Year for Baulkham Hills at this year's NSW Seniors Festival.

As highlighted in Ray Williams MP brochure "For his tireless commitment to The Hills SES, Rural Fire Service and The Hills Shire community. A true champion.".