15th October, 2025.
I honour Norm Dent, a man whose life has been defined by service and dedication. Norm began his career with the NSW Fire Brigades on 15 September 1965. From that day forward, he gave tirelessly to the community. He served as a volunteer ambulance officer, an ambulance officer, a Wollondilly bushfire brigade firefighter and later as a firefighter with Fire and Rescue NSW, retiring on 10 January 2014 as captain of the station. Norm also gave his leadership to the Picton Rural Fire Brigade as both captain and life member and was a founding member of the Wollondilly RFS remote area firefighting team. Across nearly five decades of service, Norm was recognised with some of the highest honours, including the National Medal and three clasps, and long service and good conduct medals and their clasps. Those awards reflect not only the length of his service but also the integrity and commitment with which he served. Norm's legacy is one of courage, dedication and community spirit. On behalf of the community, I thank him for everything he has given.