12 March, 2024.
Wollondilly residents are delighted to see the completion of a mural on the wall of Hilltop Rural Fire Service shed, celebrating the brigade's longest serving volunteers John Matters and Brian Coates. Their combined commitment spans over 70 years, including their assistance in building the brigade's first tin shed, along with the subsequent shed which is used today. Both John and Brian have proven their dedication over the years, notably during the 2000-2001 bushfires. They drove bulldozers in the night from Buxton to Hill Top to clear crucial paths for backburning operations, ensuring the safety of countless lives and properties. During the devastating 2019 - 2020 fires they worked again to clear vital control lines, with Brian stationed at Hill Top and John at Colo Vale. The mural, painted by artist Samuel Hall, is a tribute to and celebration of the people who make the organisation what it is. Brian and John are both mentors and an inspiration to the RFS. Their selfless contributions embody the essence of community service, and this mural will serve as a reminder of the people whose dedication and service make our communities both safer and stronger.
