Black Summer 'hero' firie quits Rural Fire Service in disgust after 18 years
Ian Avage, previously a Rural Fire Service captain and group captain at Splitters Creek, located in Albury NSW, cited bullying, double standards and a lack of support for volunteers as his reason for quitting.
"I can no longer be a part of what is quite obviously a failing organisation," Mr Avage said in his resignation letter, seen by - ACM masthead -The Border Mail and quoted with his permission.
Mr Avage, an 18-year volunteer firefighting veteran, was one of six Riverina volunteers, including fallen firefighter Samuel McPaul, recognised for bravery during a tornado-like fire at Green Hill in 2019.
The deputy group captain at the time was checking on his crews when a fireball exploded, forcing his vehicle to roll on its side.
Mr Avage left his RFS vehicle and ran through the horrifying conditions to take shelter in a nearby property before his vehicle exploded into flames.
"A 28-year-old lost his life in a nearby vehicle on that day," Mr Avage said.
"Five other firefighters were injured in varying degrees, including myself.
"I smashed my way out of the car window. The RFS vehicle was fully engulfed with flames.
"I was 60 seconds off being toast.
"Some time later, as a result of that day, things spiralled, went south for me, and I've got no qualms in talking about that.
"I went through a couple of years of pretty nasty PTSD and put my family and friends through absolute hell.
"Luckily, I was supported by good family, friends and a couple of very good people within the local RFS office.
"No support from NSWRFS though; once you are given a workers' compensation claim number, they wipe their hands of you. Their mental health program has been a dismal failure."
Mr Avage said he withdrew from his business, sold his partnership and worked for the RFS as a casual employee for three months.
Then came a battle to get fair rights for his workmates.
"It's taken me and another casual employee two, to two-and-a-half years to fight them, for myself and 20 other casual volunteers who were employed on a casual contract to get what was entitled to us," he said.
"Finally, we got everything we're entitled to, but it took me and one other to continually pursue the RFS.
"I had been in a sizeable business and worked closely with unions and negotiated EBAs over many years in the construction industry, and I wouldn't take no for an answer.
"Their answer is no ... deny, deny, deny."
Mr Avage said there would be more damage done before senior figures at the RFS "take off their blinkers".
"The dictatorial hypocrisy that NSWRFS has become will prevail unless volunteers continue to stand up to them," Mr Avage said.
"The sooner they realise and remember that without volunteers they have no job, the better.
"Unfortunately, I feel there is some damage to be done still before they take off their blinkers."
Volunteer Fire Fighters Association president Jon Russell said Mr Avage was one of many RFS volunteers to have quit after being "treated appallingly":
"Eighteen years of unpaid volunteer service has just walked away because of the ongoing appalling treatment of volunteers by the RFS hierarchy," Mr Russell said.
Mr Russell said he had alerted Albury-based Greens MP Amanda Cohn to the reasons leading to Mr Avage's resignation.
Dr Cohn in April questioned the then-RFS commissioner, Rob Rogers, at a NSW estimates committee hearing about an alleged "bullying culture" within the organisation.
"Last estimates, we discussed the monitoring of bullying within the RFS," Dr Cohn said.
"You were on record previously saying you didn't think there was a problem with bullying, but a problem with accountability."
Mr Rogers replied: "As at 28 March, we have received 223 workplace complaints ... whilst I don't like complaints, I think it's a good sign that there are more complaints.
"It makes people feel a level of confidence in reporting through it. I would expect that there'd be a level of surge.
"They've come through different ways - a formal complaint form and a third-party hotline that we've set up where people can ring a different outside agency to report it.
"We've been working through those complaints. The new system is there and it's working."
The RFS told The Border Mail it had "zero tolerance" for bullying or harassment.
An RFS spokesperson said the service "sincerely thanks former captain Avage for his many years of service to his community and the organisation".
"We take all complaints of inappropriate behaviour seriously and are committed to ensuring every member feels safe, supported and respected," the spokesperson said
"To support this, the service implemented a number of mechanisms ... which provided current and former members with access to an independent review of serious misconduct matters, and now has the Workplace Complaints Resolution Framework, which came into effect in July 2024.
"The RFS is also committed to the wellbeing of its members.
"In the years following the 2019-20 fire season, the most devastating in the state's history, the service significantly expanded its mental health and wellbeing support, introducing new programs and strengthening existing services."
A firefighter who was awarded for bravery during the Black Summer fires and suffered ongoing health issues, has resigned from the NSW Rural Fire Service.
Ian Avage, previously a Rural Fire Service captain and group captain at Splitters Creek, located in Albury NSW, cited bullying, double standards and a lack of support for volunteers as his reason for quitting.
"I can no longer be a part of what is quite obviously a failing organisation," Mr Avage said in his resignation letter, seen by - ACM masthead -The Border Mail and quoted with his permission.
Mr Avage, an 18-year volunteer firefighting veteran, was one of six Riverina volunteers, including fallen firefighter Samuel McPaul, recognised for bravery during a tornado-like fire at Green Hill in 2019.
The deputy group captain at the time was checking on his crews when a fireball exploded, forcing his vehicle to roll on its side.
Mr Avage left his RFS vehicle and ran through the horrifying conditions to take shelter in a nearby property before his vehicle exploded into flames.
"A 28-year-old lost his life in a nearby vehicle on that day," Mr Avage said.
"Five other firefighters were injured in varying degrees, including myself.
"I smashed my way out of the car window. The RFS vehicle was fully engulfed with flames.
"I was 60 seconds off being toast.
"Some time later, as a result of that day, things spiralled, went south for me, and I've got no qualms in talking about that.
"I went through a couple of years of pretty nasty PTSD and put my family and friends through absolute hell.
"Luckily, I was supported by good family, friends and a couple of very good people within the local RFS office.
"No support from NSWRFS though; once you are given a workers' compensation claim number, they wipe their hands of you. Their mental health program has been a dismal failure."
Mr Avage said he withdrew from his business, sold his partnership and worked for the RFS as a casual employee for three months.
Then came a battle to get fair rights for his workmates.
"It's taken me and another casual employee two, to two-and-a-half years to fight them, for myself and 20 other casual volunteers who were employed on a casual contract to get what was entitled to us," he said.
"Finally, we got everything we're entitled to, but it took me and one other to continually pursue the RFS.
"I had been in a sizeable business and worked closely with unions and negotiated EBAs over many years in the construction industry, and I wouldn't take no for an answer.
"Their answer is no ... deny, deny, deny."
Mr Avage said there would be more damage done before senior figures at the RFS "take off their blinkers".
"The dictatorial hypocrisy that NSWRFS has become will prevail unless volunteers continue to stand up to them," Mr Avage said.
"The sooner they realise and remember that without volunteers they have no job, the better.
"Unfortunately, I feel there is some damage to be done still before they take off their blinkers."
Volunteer Fire Fighters Association president Jon Russell said Mr Avage was one of many RFS volunteers to have quit after being "treated appallingly":
"Eighteen years of unpaid volunteer service has just walked away because of the ongoing appalling treatment of volunteers by the RFS hierarchy," Mr Russell said.
Mr Russell said he had alerted Albury-based Greens MP Amanda Cohn to the reasons leading to Mr Avage's resignation.
Dr Cohn in April questioned the then-RFS commissioner, Rob Rogers, at a NSW estimates committee hearing about an alleged "bullying culture" within the organisation.
"Last estimates, we discussed the monitoring of bullying within the RFS," Dr Cohn said.
"You were on record previously saying you didn't think there was a problem with bullying, but a problem with accountability."
Mr Rogers replied: "As at 28 March, we have received 223 workplace complaints ... whilst I don't like complaints, I think it's a good sign that there are more complaints.
"It makes people feel a level of confidence in reporting through it. I would expect that there'd be a level of surge.
"They've come through different ways - a formal complaint form and a third-party hotline that we've set up where people can ring a different outside agency to report it.
"We've been working through those complaints. The new system is there and it's working."
The RFS told The Border Mail it had "zero tolerance" for bullying or harassment.
An RFS spokesperson said the service "sincerely thanks former captain Avage for his many years of service to his community and the organisation".
"We take all complaints of inappropriate behaviour seriously and are committed to ensuring every member feels safe, supported and respected," the spokesperson said
"To support this, the service implemented a number of mechanisms ... which provided current and former members with access to an independent review of serious misconduct matters, and now has the Workplace Complaints Resolution Framework, which came into effect in July 2024.
"The RFS is also committed to the wellbeing of its members.
"In the years following the 2019-20 fire season, the most devastating in the state's history, the service significantly expanded its mental health and wellbeing support, introducing new programs and strengthening existing services."
A firefighter who was awarded for bravery during the Black Summer fires and suffered ongoing health issues, has resigned from the NSW Rural Fire Service.
Ian Avage, previously a Rural Fire Service captain and group captain at Splitters Creek, located in Albury NSW, cited bullying, double standards and a lack of support for volunteers as his reason for quitting.
"I can no longer be a part of what is quite obviously a failing organisation," Mr Avage said in his resignation letter, seen by - ACM masthead -The Border Mail and quoted with his permission.
Mr Avage, an 18-year volunteer firefighting veteran, was one of six Riverina volunteers, including fallen firefighter Samuel McPaul, recognised for bravery during a tornado-like fire at Green Hill in 2019.
The deputy group captain at the time was checking on his crews when a fireball exploded, forcing his vehicle to roll on its side.
Mr Avage left his RFS vehicle and ran through the horrifying conditions to take shelter in a nearby property before his vehicle exploded into flames.
"A 28-year-old lost his life in a nearby vehicle on that day," Mr Avage said.
"Five other firefighters were injured in varying degrees, including myself.
"I smashed my way out of the car window. The RFS vehicle was fully engulfed with flames.
"I was 60 seconds off being toast.
"Some time later, as a result of that day, things spiralled, went south for me, and I've got no qualms in talking about that.
"I went through a couple of years of pretty nasty PTSD and put my family and friends through absolute hell.
"Luckily, I was supported by good family, friends and a couple of very good people within the local RFS office.
"No support from NSWRFS though; once you are given a workers' compensation claim number, they wipe their hands of you. Their mental health program has been a dismal failure."
Mr Avage said he withdrew from his business, sold his partnership and worked for the RFS as a casual employee for three months.
Then came a battle to get fair rights for his workmates.
"It's taken me and another casual employee two, to two-and-a-half years to fight them, for myself and 20 other casual volunteers who were employed on a casual contract to get what was entitled to us," he said.
"Finally, we got everything we're entitled to, but it took me and one other to continually pursue the RFS.
"I had been in a sizeable business and worked closely with unions and negotiated EBAs over many years in the construction industry, and I wouldn't take no for an answer.
"Their answer is no ... deny, deny, deny."
Mr Avage said there would be more damage done before senior figures at the RFS "take off their blinkers".
"The dictatorial hypocrisy that NSWRFS has become will prevail unless volunteers continue to stand up to them," Mr Avage said.
"The sooner they realise and remember that without volunteers they have no job, the better.
"Unfortunately, I feel there is some damage to be done still before they take off their blinkers."
Volunteer Fire Fighters Association president Jon Russell said Mr Avage was one of many RFS volunteers to have quit after being "treated appallingly":
"Eighteen years of unpaid volunteer service has just walked away because of the ongoing appalling treatment of volunteers by the RFS hierarchy," Mr Russell said.
Mr Russell said he had alerted Albury-based Greens MP Amanda Cohn to the reasons leading to Mr Avage's resignation.
Dr Cohn in April questioned the then-RFS commissioner, Rob Rogers, at a NSW estimates committee hearing about an alleged "bullying culture" within the organisation.
"Last estimates, we discussed the monitoring of bullying within the RFS," Dr Cohn said.
"You were on record previously saying you didn't think there was a problem with bullying, but a problem with accountability."
Mr Rogers replied: "As at 28 March, we have received 223 workplace complaints ... whilst I don't like complaints, I think it's a good sign that there are more complaints.
"It makes people feel a level of confidence in reporting through it. I would expect that there'd be a level of surge.
"They've come through different ways - a formal complaint form and a third-party hotline that we've set up where people can ring a different outside agency to report it.
"We've been working through those complaints. The new system is there and it's working."
The RFS told The Border Mail it had "zero tolerance" for bullying or harassment.
An RFS spokesperson said the service "sincerely thanks former captain Avage for his many years of service to his community and the organisation".
"We take all complaints of inappropriate behaviour seriously and are committed to ensuring every member feels safe, supported and respected," the spokesperson said
"To support this, the service implemented a number of mechanisms ... which provided current and former members with access to an independent review of serious misconduct matters, and now has the Workplace Complaints Resolution Framework, which came into effect in July 2024.
"The RFS is also committed to the wellbeing of its members.
"In the years following the 2019-20 fire season, the most devastating in the state's history, the service significantly expanded its mental health and wellbeing support, introducing new programs and strengthening existing services."
A firefighter who was awarded for bravery during the Black Summer fires and suffered ongoing health issues, has resigned from the NSW Rural Fire Service.
Ian Avage, previously a Rural Fire Service captain and group captain at Splitters Creek, located in Albury NSW, cited bullying, double standards and a lack of support for volunteers as his reason for quitting.
"I can no longer be a part of what is quite obviously a failing organisation," Mr Avage said in his resignation letter, seen by - ACM masthead -The Border Mail and quoted with his permission.
Mr Avage, an 18-year volunteer firefighting veteran, was one of six Riverina volunteers, including fallen firefighter Samuel McPaul, recognised for bravery during a tornado-like fire at Green Hill in 2019.
The deputy group captain at the time was checking on his crews when a fireball exploded, forcing his vehicle to roll on its side.
Mr Avage left his RFS vehicle and ran through the horrifying conditions to take shelter in a nearby property before his vehicle exploded into flames.
"A 28-year-old lost his life in a nearby vehicle on that day," Mr Avage said.
"Five other firefighters were injured in varying degrees, including myself.
"I smashed my way out of the car window. The RFS vehicle was fully engulfed with flames.
"I was 60 seconds off being toast.
"Some time later, as a result of that day, things spiralled, went south for me, and I've got no qualms in talking about that.
"I went through a couple of years of pretty nasty PTSD and put my family and friends through absolute hell.
"Luckily, I was supported by good family, friends and a couple of very good people within the local RFS office.
"No support from NSWRFS though; once you are given a workers' compensation claim number, they wipe their hands of you. Their mental health program has been a dismal failure."
Mr Avage said he withdrew from his business, sold his partnership and worked for the RFS as a casual employee for three months.
Then came a battle to get fair rights for his workmates.
"It's taken me and another casual employee two, to two-and-a-half years to fight them, for myself and 20 other casual volunteers who were employed on a casual contract to get what was entitled to us," he said.
"Finally, we got everything we're entitled to, but it took me and one other to continually pursue the RFS.
"I had been in a sizeable business and worked closely with unions and negotiated EBAs over many years in the construction industry, and I wouldn't take no for an answer.
"Their answer is no ... deny, deny, deny."
Mr Avage said there would be more damage done before senior figures at the RFS "take off their blinkers".
"The dictatorial hypocrisy that NSWRFS has become will prevail unless volunteers continue to stand up to them," Mr Avage said.
"The sooner they realise and remember that without volunteers they have no job, the better.
"Unfortunately, I feel there is some damage to be done still before they take off their blinkers."
Volunteer Fire Fighters Association president Jon Russell said Mr Avage was one of many RFS volunteers to have quit after being "treated appallingly":
"Eighteen years of unpaid volunteer service has just walked away because of the ongoing appalling treatment of volunteers by the RFS hierarchy," Mr Russell said.
Mr Russell said he had alerted Albury-based Greens MP Amanda Cohn to the reasons leading to Mr Avage's resignation.
Dr Cohn in April questioned the then-RFS commissioner, Rob Rogers, at a NSW estimates committee hearing about an alleged "bullying culture" within the organisation.
"Last estimates, we discussed the monitoring of bullying within the RFS," Dr Cohn said.
"You were on record previously saying you didn't think there was a problem with bullying, but a problem with accountability."
Mr Rogers replied: "As at 28 March, we have received 223 workplace complaints ... whilst I don't like complaints, I think it's a good sign that there are more complaints.
"It makes people feel a level of confidence in reporting through it. I would expect that there'd be a level of surge.
"They've come through different ways - a formal complaint form and a third-party hotline that we've set up where people can ring a different outside agency to report it.
"We've been working through those complaints. The new system is there and it's working."
The RFS told The Border Mail it had "zero tolerance" for bullying or harassment.
An RFS spokesperson said the service "sincerely thanks former captain Avage for his many years of service to his community and the organisation".
"We take all complaints of inappropriate behaviour seriously and are committed to ensuring every member feels safe, supported and respected," the spokesperson said
"To support this, the service implemented a number of mechanisms ... which provided current and former members with access to an independent review of serious misconduct matters, and now has the Workplace Complaints Resolution Framework, which came into effect in July 2024.
"The RFS is also committed to the wellbeing of its members.
"In the years following the 2019-20 fire season, the most devastating in the state's history, the service significantly expanded its mental health and wellbeing support, introducing new programs and strengthening existing services."
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The Advertiser
a day ago
- The Advertiser
Koala conservation is something to sniff at for hard-working scent hound
There were plenty of excited onlookers lining up to pat four-year-old English springer spaniel, Poa, on Monday morning in Teralba bushland. But the excitable sniffer dog wasn't too interested in human attention. She was there to work. On the first day of Lake Macquarie City Council's koala survey, Poa launched into her work with gusto. She raced up the steep bush track near Billy's Lookout alongside her handler and ecologist Lily Alvarez, sniffing through leaf litter and fallen branches for koala scat. "We're doing a 200-metre by 50-metre transect, so a one-hectare search area, and since she's trained to find the odour and lie down with the odour basically between her paws, she'll put her nose on the odour to show us where it is," Ms Alvarez said. Poa has worked in conservation for two years, helping to sniff out and identify koala scats from up to 100 metres away in Casino and Port Stephens for Mid North Coast-based company Canines For Wildlife. "It's pretty amazing, just that relationship and that human bond with dogs; it's so strong," Ms Alvarez said. "So when it's working well, it feels incredible." Discovering how many of the furry marsupials live in local government areas has become of vital importance since the devastating Black Summer bushfires either killed, injured or impacted the habitat of 60,000 koalas throughout Australia. The 2020 Legislative Council inquiry into NSW koala numbers and habitat found that the beloved species could be extinct in the state by 2050 if immediate action is not taken to safeguard the population. The state government provided a $15,000 grant to the council earlier this year as part of its NSW Koala Strategy. Koalas are known to live in Lake Macquarie near Mount Sugarloaf, in the Watagans and south of Morisset. However, koalas are expected to be living in other parts of Lake Macquarie too. A koala was rescued from a telegraph pole in suburban Teralba earlier this year. Lake Macquarie's koala population is particularly important, as it's believed to be disease-free. The council's coordinator for environment policy and resilience, Dan Woods, said the survey aims to fill in information gaps about the koala population range. "There are sightings where people are accessing those bushland areas, and that's how we know where they are," Mr Woods said. "The other mapping we've done is based on habitat and local koalas' food trees and where they're likely to be. "There hasn't been any systematic survey of koalas across the LGA. This is filling in those information gaps. "It's where we see potential koala habitat, but we're actually seeing if they exist there or not." Previously, koala surveys were conducted by people walking through the bush and searching the branch tops of trees. Mr Woods said other conservation sniffer dog companies would be used throughout the coming months. "They can confirm the presence of koalas a lot easier than a human can," he said. "Once they confirm it, we can come back with other techniques, such as drones, to find out more information about the actual population of koalas in that area." The results of the survey will be used to shape future council planning policies. "Once we know what the distribution of koalas is within the local government area, then we can work on developing strategies to protect and conserve their habitat and that koala population," Mr Woods said. There were plenty of excited onlookers lining up to pat four-year-old English springer spaniel, Poa, on Monday morning in Teralba bushland. But the excitable sniffer dog wasn't too interested in human attention. She was there to work. On the first day of Lake Macquarie City Council's koala survey, Poa launched into her work with gusto. She raced up the steep bush track near Billy's Lookout alongside her handler and ecologist Lily Alvarez, sniffing through leaf litter and fallen branches for koala scat. "We're doing a 200-metre by 50-metre transect, so a one-hectare search area, and since she's trained to find the odour and lie down with the odour basically between her paws, she'll put her nose on the odour to show us where it is," Ms Alvarez said. Poa has worked in conservation for two years, helping to sniff out and identify koala scats from up to 100 metres away in Casino and Port Stephens for Mid North Coast-based company Canines For Wildlife. "It's pretty amazing, just that relationship and that human bond with dogs; it's so strong," Ms Alvarez said. "So when it's working well, it feels incredible." Discovering how many of the furry marsupials live in local government areas has become of vital importance since the devastating Black Summer bushfires either killed, injured or impacted the habitat of 60,000 koalas throughout Australia. The 2020 Legislative Council inquiry into NSW koala numbers and habitat found that the beloved species could be extinct in the state by 2050 if immediate action is not taken to safeguard the population. The state government provided a $15,000 grant to the council earlier this year as part of its NSW Koala Strategy. Koalas are known to live in Lake Macquarie near Mount Sugarloaf, in the Watagans and south of Morisset. However, koalas are expected to be living in other parts of Lake Macquarie too. A koala was rescued from a telegraph pole in suburban Teralba earlier this year. Lake Macquarie's koala population is particularly important, as it's believed to be disease-free. The council's coordinator for environment policy and resilience, Dan Woods, said the survey aims to fill in information gaps about the koala population range. "There are sightings where people are accessing those bushland areas, and that's how we know where they are," Mr Woods said. "The other mapping we've done is based on habitat and local koalas' food trees and where they're likely to be. "There hasn't been any systematic survey of koalas across the LGA. This is filling in those information gaps. "It's where we see potential koala habitat, but we're actually seeing if they exist there or not." Previously, koala surveys were conducted by people walking through the bush and searching the branch tops of trees. Mr Woods said other conservation sniffer dog companies would be used throughout the coming months. "They can confirm the presence of koalas a lot easier than a human can," he said. "Once they confirm it, we can come back with other techniques, such as drones, to find out more information about the actual population of koalas in that area." The results of the survey will be used to shape future council planning policies. "Once we know what the distribution of koalas is within the local government area, then we can work on developing strategies to protect and conserve their habitat and that koala population," Mr Woods said. There were plenty of excited onlookers lining up to pat four-year-old English springer spaniel, Poa, on Monday morning in Teralba bushland. But the excitable sniffer dog wasn't too interested in human attention. She was there to work. On the first day of Lake Macquarie City Council's koala survey, Poa launched into her work with gusto. She raced up the steep bush track near Billy's Lookout alongside her handler and ecologist Lily Alvarez, sniffing through leaf litter and fallen branches for koala scat. "We're doing a 200-metre by 50-metre transect, so a one-hectare search area, and since she's trained to find the odour and lie down with the odour basically between her paws, she'll put her nose on the odour to show us where it is," Ms Alvarez said. Poa has worked in conservation for two years, helping to sniff out and identify koala scats from up to 100 metres away in Casino and Port Stephens for Mid North Coast-based company Canines For Wildlife. "It's pretty amazing, just that relationship and that human bond with dogs; it's so strong," Ms Alvarez said. "So when it's working well, it feels incredible." Discovering how many of the furry marsupials live in local government areas has become of vital importance since the devastating Black Summer bushfires either killed, injured or impacted the habitat of 60,000 koalas throughout Australia. The 2020 Legislative Council inquiry into NSW koala numbers and habitat found that the beloved species could be extinct in the state by 2050 if immediate action is not taken to safeguard the population. The state government provided a $15,000 grant to the council earlier this year as part of its NSW Koala Strategy. Koalas are known to live in Lake Macquarie near Mount Sugarloaf, in the Watagans and south of Morisset. However, koalas are expected to be living in other parts of Lake Macquarie too. A koala was rescued from a telegraph pole in suburban Teralba earlier this year. Lake Macquarie's koala population is particularly important, as it's believed to be disease-free. The council's coordinator for environment policy and resilience, Dan Woods, said the survey aims to fill in information gaps about the koala population range. "There are sightings where people are accessing those bushland areas, and that's how we know where they are," Mr Woods said. "The other mapping we've done is based on habitat and local koalas' food trees and where they're likely to be. "There hasn't been any systematic survey of koalas across the LGA. This is filling in those information gaps. "It's where we see potential koala habitat, but we're actually seeing if they exist there or not." Previously, koala surveys were conducted by people walking through the bush and searching the branch tops of trees. Mr Woods said other conservation sniffer dog companies would be used throughout the coming months. "They can confirm the presence of koalas a lot easier than a human can," he said. "Once they confirm it, we can come back with other techniques, such as drones, to find out more information about the actual population of koalas in that area." The results of the survey will be used to shape future council planning policies. "Once we know what the distribution of koalas is within the local government area, then we can work on developing strategies to protect and conserve their habitat and that koala population," Mr Woods said. There were plenty of excited onlookers lining up to pat four-year-old English springer spaniel, Poa, on Monday morning in Teralba bushland. But the excitable sniffer dog wasn't too interested in human attention. She was there to work. On the first day of Lake Macquarie City Council's koala survey, Poa launched into her work with gusto. She raced up the steep bush track near Billy's Lookout alongside her handler and ecologist Lily Alvarez, sniffing through leaf litter and fallen branches for koala scat. "We're doing a 200-metre by 50-metre transect, so a one-hectare search area, and since she's trained to find the odour and lie down with the odour basically between her paws, she'll put her nose on the odour to show us where it is," Ms Alvarez said. Poa has worked in conservation for two years, helping to sniff out and identify koala scats from up to 100 metres away in Casino and Port Stephens for Mid North Coast-based company Canines For Wildlife. "It's pretty amazing, just that relationship and that human bond with dogs; it's so strong," Ms Alvarez said. "So when it's working well, it feels incredible." Discovering how many of the furry marsupials live in local government areas has become of vital importance since the devastating Black Summer bushfires either killed, injured or impacted the habitat of 60,000 koalas throughout Australia. The 2020 Legislative Council inquiry into NSW koala numbers and habitat found that the beloved species could be extinct in the state by 2050 if immediate action is not taken to safeguard the population. The state government provided a $15,000 grant to the council earlier this year as part of its NSW Koala Strategy. Koalas are known to live in Lake Macquarie near Mount Sugarloaf, in the Watagans and south of Morisset. However, koalas are expected to be living in other parts of Lake Macquarie too. A koala was rescued from a telegraph pole in suburban Teralba earlier this year. Lake Macquarie's koala population is particularly important, as it's believed to be disease-free. The council's coordinator for environment policy and resilience, Dan Woods, said the survey aims to fill in information gaps about the koala population range. "There are sightings where people are accessing those bushland areas, and that's how we know where they are," Mr Woods said. "The other mapping we've done is based on habitat and local koalas' food trees and where they're likely to be. "There hasn't been any systematic survey of koalas across the LGA. This is filling in those information gaps. "It's where we see potential koala habitat, but we're actually seeing if they exist there or not." Previously, koala surveys were conducted by people walking through the bush and searching the branch tops of trees. Mr Woods said other conservation sniffer dog companies would be used throughout the coming months. "They can confirm the presence of koalas a lot easier than a human can," he said. "Once they confirm it, we can come back with other techniques, such as drones, to find out more information about the actual population of koalas in that area." The results of the survey will be used to shape future council planning policies. "Once we know what the distribution of koalas is within the local government area, then we can work on developing strategies to protect and conserve their habitat and that koala population," Mr Woods said.
ABC News
12-07-2025
- ABC News
Heritage huts remain in ruins after bushfires despite government promises
More than five years after being destroyed by the Black Summer bushfires, Demandering Hut and Max and Bert Oldfields Hut in the ACT's Namadgi National Park remain burnt-out, fenced-off ruins, despite government promises to build two new structures in remembrance of them.
The Advertiser
03-07-2025
- The Advertiser
Black Summer 'hero' firie quits Rural Fire Service in disgust after 18 years
A firefighter who was awarded for bravery during the Black Summer fires and suffered ongoing health issues, has resigned from the NSW Rural Fire Service. Ian Avage, previously a Rural Fire Service captain and group captain at Splitters Creek, located in Albury NSW, cited bullying, double standards and a lack of support for volunteers as his reason for quitting. "I can no longer be a part of what is quite obviously a failing organisation," Mr Avage said in his resignation letter, seen by - ACM masthead -The Border Mail and quoted with his permission. Mr Avage, an 18-year volunteer firefighting veteran, was one of six Riverina volunteers, including fallen firefighter Samuel McPaul, recognised for bravery during a tornado-like fire at Green Hill in 2019. The deputy group captain at the time was checking on his crews when a fireball exploded, forcing his vehicle to roll on its side. Mr Avage left his RFS vehicle and ran through the horrifying conditions to take shelter in a nearby property before his vehicle exploded into flames. "A 28-year-old lost his life in a nearby vehicle on that day," Mr Avage said. "Five other firefighters were injured in varying degrees, including myself. "I smashed my way out of the car window. The RFS vehicle was fully engulfed with flames. "I was 60 seconds off being toast. "Some time later, as a result of that day, things spiralled, went south for me, and I've got no qualms in talking about that. "I went through a couple of years of pretty nasty PTSD and put my family and friends through absolute hell. "Luckily, I was supported by good family, friends and a couple of very good people within the local RFS office. "No support from NSWRFS though; once you are given a workers' compensation claim number, they wipe their hands of you. Their mental health program has been a dismal failure." Mr Avage said he withdrew from his business, sold his partnership and worked for the RFS as a casual employee for three months. Then came a battle to get fair rights for his workmates. "It's taken me and another casual employee two, to two-and-a-half years to fight them, for myself and 20 other casual volunteers who were employed on a casual contract to get what was entitled to us," he said. "Finally, we got everything we're entitled to, but it took me and one other to continually pursue the RFS. "I had been in a sizeable business and worked closely with unions and negotiated EBAs over many years in the construction industry, and I wouldn't take no for an answer. "Their answer is no ... deny, deny, deny." Mr Avage said there would be more damage done before senior figures at the RFS "take off their blinkers". "The dictatorial hypocrisy that NSWRFS has become will prevail unless volunteers continue to stand up to them," Mr Avage said. "The sooner they realise and remember that without volunteers they have no job, the better. "Unfortunately, I feel there is some damage to be done still before they take off their blinkers." Volunteer Fire Fighters Association president Jon Russell said Mr Avage was one of many RFS volunteers to have quit after being "treated appallingly": "Eighteen years of unpaid volunteer service has just walked away because of the ongoing appalling treatment of volunteers by the RFS hierarchy," Mr Russell said. Mr Russell said he had alerted Albury-based Greens MP Amanda Cohn to the reasons leading to Mr Avage's resignation. Dr Cohn in April questioned the then-RFS commissioner, Rob Rogers, at a NSW estimates committee hearing about an alleged "bullying culture" within the organisation. "Last estimates, we discussed the monitoring of bullying within the RFS," Dr Cohn said. "You were on record previously saying you didn't think there was a problem with bullying, but a problem with accountability." Mr Rogers replied: "As at 28 March, we have received 223 workplace complaints ... whilst I don't like complaints, I think it's a good sign that there are more complaints. "It makes people feel a level of confidence in reporting through it. I would expect that there'd be a level of surge. "They've come through different ways - a formal complaint form and a third-party hotline that we've set up where people can ring a different outside agency to report it. "We've been working through those complaints. The new system is there and it's working." The RFS told The Border Mail it had "zero tolerance" for bullying or harassment. An RFS spokesperson said the service "sincerely thanks former captain Avage for his many years of service to his community and the organisation". "We take all complaints of inappropriate behaviour seriously and are committed to ensuring every member feels safe, supported and respected," the spokesperson said "To support this, the service implemented a number of mechanisms ... which provided current and former members with access to an independent review of serious misconduct matters, and now has the Workplace Complaints Resolution Framework, which came into effect in July 2024. "The RFS is also committed to the wellbeing of its members. "In the years following the 2019-20 fire season, the most devastating in the state's history, the service significantly expanded its mental health and wellbeing support, introducing new programs and strengthening existing services." A firefighter who was awarded for bravery during the Black Summer fires and suffered ongoing health issues, has resigned from the NSW Rural Fire Service. Ian Avage, previously a Rural Fire Service captain and group captain at Splitters Creek, located in Albury NSW, cited bullying, double standards and a lack of support for volunteers as his reason for quitting. "I can no longer be a part of what is quite obviously a failing organisation," Mr Avage said in his resignation letter, seen by - ACM masthead -The Border Mail and quoted with his permission. Mr Avage, an 18-year volunteer firefighting veteran, was one of six Riverina volunteers, including fallen firefighter Samuel McPaul, recognised for bravery during a tornado-like fire at Green Hill in 2019. The deputy group captain at the time was checking on his crews when a fireball exploded, forcing his vehicle to roll on its side. Mr Avage left his RFS vehicle and ran through the horrifying conditions to take shelter in a nearby property before his vehicle exploded into flames. "A 28-year-old lost his life in a nearby vehicle on that day," Mr Avage said. "Five other firefighters were injured in varying degrees, including myself. "I smashed my way out of the car window. The RFS vehicle was fully engulfed with flames. "I was 60 seconds off being toast. "Some time later, as a result of that day, things spiralled, went south for me, and I've got no qualms in talking about that. "I went through a couple of years of pretty nasty PTSD and put my family and friends through absolute hell. "Luckily, I was supported by good family, friends and a couple of very good people within the local RFS office. "No support from NSWRFS though; once you are given a workers' compensation claim number, they wipe their hands of you. Their mental health program has been a dismal failure." Mr Avage said he withdrew from his business, sold his partnership and worked for the RFS as a casual employee for three months. Then came a battle to get fair rights for his workmates. "It's taken me and another casual employee two, to two-and-a-half years to fight them, for myself and 20 other casual volunteers who were employed on a casual contract to get what was entitled to us," he said. "Finally, we got everything we're entitled to, but it took me and one other to continually pursue the RFS. "I had been in a sizeable business and worked closely with unions and negotiated EBAs over many years in the construction industry, and I wouldn't take no for an answer. "Their answer is no ... deny, deny, deny." Mr Avage said there would be more damage done before senior figures at the RFS "take off their blinkers". "The dictatorial hypocrisy that NSWRFS has become will prevail unless volunteers continue to stand up to them," Mr Avage said. "The sooner they realise and remember that without volunteers they have no job, the better. "Unfortunately, I feel there is some damage to be done still before they take off their blinkers." Volunteer Fire Fighters Association president Jon Russell said Mr Avage was one of many RFS volunteers to have quit after being "treated appallingly": "Eighteen years of unpaid volunteer service has just walked away because of the ongoing appalling treatment of volunteers by the RFS hierarchy," Mr Russell said. Mr Russell said he had alerted Albury-based Greens MP Amanda Cohn to the reasons leading to Mr Avage's resignation. Dr Cohn in April questioned the then-RFS commissioner, Rob Rogers, at a NSW estimates committee hearing about an alleged "bullying culture" within the organisation. "Last estimates, we discussed the monitoring of bullying within the RFS," Dr Cohn said. "You were on record previously saying you didn't think there was a problem with bullying, but a problem with accountability." Mr Rogers replied: "As at 28 March, we have received 223 workplace complaints ... whilst I don't like complaints, I think it's a good sign that there are more complaints. "It makes people feel a level of confidence in reporting through it. I would expect that there'd be a level of surge. "They've come through different ways - a formal complaint form and a third-party hotline that we've set up where people can ring a different outside agency to report it. "We've been working through those complaints. The new system is there and it's working." The RFS told The Border Mail it had "zero tolerance" for bullying or harassment. An RFS spokesperson said the service "sincerely thanks former captain Avage for his many years of service to his community and the organisation". "We take all complaints of inappropriate behaviour seriously and are committed to ensuring every member feels safe, supported and respected," the spokesperson said "To support this, the service implemented a number of mechanisms ... which provided current and former members with access to an independent review of serious misconduct matters, and now has the Workplace Complaints Resolution Framework, which came into effect in July 2024. "The RFS is also committed to the wellbeing of its members. "In the years following the 2019-20 fire season, the most devastating in the state's history, the service significantly expanded its mental health and wellbeing support, introducing new programs and strengthening existing services." A firefighter who was awarded for bravery during the Black Summer fires and suffered ongoing health issues, has resigned from the NSW Rural Fire Service. Ian Avage, previously a Rural Fire Service captain and group captain at Splitters Creek, located in Albury NSW, cited bullying, double standards and a lack of support for volunteers as his reason for quitting. "I can no longer be a part of what is quite obviously a failing organisation," Mr Avage said in his resignation letter, seen by - ACM masthead -The Border Mail and quoted with his permission. Mr Avage, an 18-year volunteer firefighting veteran, was one of six Riverina volunteers, including fallen firefighter Samuel McPaul, recognised for bravery during a tornado-like fire at Green Hill in 2019. The deputy group captain at the time was checking on his crews when a fireball exploded, forcing his vehicle to roll on its side. Mr Avage left his RFS vehicle and ran through the horrifying conditions to take shelter in a nearby property before his vehicle exploded into flames. "A 28-year-old lost his life in a nearby vehicle on that day," Mr Avage said. "Five other firefighters were injured in varying degrees, including myself. "I smashed my way out of the car window. The RFS vehicle was fully engulfed with flames. "I was 60 seconds off being toast. "Some time later, as a result of that day, things spiralled, went south for me, and I've got no qualms in talking about that. "I went through a couple of years of pretty nasty PTSD and put my family and friends through absolute hell. "Luckily, I was supported by good family, friends and a couple of very good people within the local RFS office. "No support from NSWRFS though; once you are given a workers' compensation claim number, they wipe their hands of you. Their mental health program has been a dismal failure." Mr Avage said he withdrew from his business, sold his partnership and worked for the RFS as a casual employee for three months. Then came a battle to get fair rights for his workmates. "It's taken me and another casual employee two, to two-and-a-half years to fight them, for myself and 20 other casual volunteers who were employed on a casual contract to get what was entitled to us," he said. "Finally, we got everything we're entitled to, but it took me and one other to continually pursue the RFS. "I had been in a sizeable business and worked closely with unions and negotiated EBAs over many years in the construction industry, and I wouldn't take no for an answer. "Their answer is no ... deny, deny, deny." Mr Avage said there would be more damage done before senior figures at the RFS "take off their blinkers". "The dictatorial hypocrisy that NSWRFS has become will prevail unless volunteers continue to stand up to them," Mr Avage said. "The sooner they realise and remember that without volunteers they have no job, the better. "Unfortunately, I feel there is some damage to be done still before they take off their blinkers." Volunteer Fire Fighters Association president Jon Russell said Mr Avage was one of many RFS volunteers to have quit after being "treated appallingly": "Eighteen years of unpaid volunteer service has just walked away because of the ongoing appalling treatment of volunteers by the RFS hierarchy," Mr Russell said. Mr Russell said he had alerted Albury-based Greens MP Amanda Cohn to the reasons leading to Mr Avage's resignation. Dr Cohn in April questioned the then-RFS commissioner, Rob Rogers, at a NSW estimates committee hearing about an alleged "bullying culture" within the organisation. "Last estimates, we discussed the monitoring of bullying within the RFS," Dr Cohn said. "You were on record previously saying you didn't think there was a problem with bullying, but a problem with accountability." Mr Rogers replied: "As at 28 March, we have received 223 workplace complaints ... whilst I don't like complaints, I think it's a good sign that there are more complaints. "It makes people feel a level of confidence in reporting through it. I would expect that there'd be a level of surge. "They've come through different ways - a formal complaint form and a third-party hotline that we've set up where people can ring a different outside agency to report it. "We've been working through those complaints. The new system is there and it's working." The RFS told The Border Mail it had "zero tolerance" for bullying or harassment. An RFS spokesperson said the service "sincerely thanks former captain Avage for his many years of service to his community and the organisation". "We take all complaints of inappropriate behaviour seriously and are committed to ensuring every member feels safe, supported and respected," the spokesperson said "To support this, the service implemented a number of mechanisms ... which provided current and former members with access to an independent review of serious misconduct matters, and now has the Workplace Complaints Resolution Framework, which came into effect in July 2024. "The RFS is also committed to the wellbeing of its members. "In the years following the 2019-20 fire season, the most devastating in the state's history, the service significantly expanded its mental health and wellbeing support, introducing new programs and strengthening existing services." A firefighter who was awarded for bravery during the Black Summer fires and suffered ongoing health issues, has resigned from the NSW Rural Fire Service. Ian Avage, previously a Rural Fire Service captain and group captain at Splitters Creek, located in Albury NSW, cited bullying, double standards and a lack of support for volunteers as his reason for quitting. "I can no longer be a part of what is quite obviously a failing organisation," Mr Avage said in his resignation letter, seen by - ACM masthead -The Border Mail and quoted with his permission. Mr Avage, an 18-year volunteer firefighting veteran, was one of six Riverina volunteers, including fallen firefighter Samuel McPaul, recognised for bravery during a tornado-like fire at Green Hill in 2019. The deputy group captain at the time was checking on his crews when a fireball exploded, forcing his vehicle to roll on its side. Mr Avage left his RFS vehicle and ran through the horrifying conditions to take shelter in a nearby property before his vehicle exploded into flames. "A 28-year-old lost his life in a nearby vehicle on that day," Mr Avage said. "Five other firefighters were injured in varying degrees, including myself. "I smashed my way out of the car window. The RFS vehicle was fully engulfed with flames. "I was 60 seconds off being toast. "Some time later, as a result of that day, things spiralled, went south for me, and I've got no qualms in talking about that. "I went through a couple of years of pretty nasty PTSD and put my family and friends through absolute hell. "Luckily, I was supported by good family, friends and a couple of very good people within the local RFS office. "No support from NSWRFS though; once you are given a workers' compensation claim number, they wipe their hands of you. Their mental health program has been a dismal failure." Mr Avage said he withdrew from his business, sold his partnership and worked for the RFS as a casual employee for three months. Then came a battle to get fair rights for his workmates. "It's taken me and another casual employee two, to two-and-a-half years to fight them, for myself and 20 other casual volunteers who were employed on a casual contract to get what was entitled to us," he said. "Finally, we got everything we're entitled to, but it took me and one other to continually pursue the RFS. "I had been in a sizeable business and worked closely with unions and negotiated EBAs over many years in the construction industry, and I wouldn't take no for an answer. "Their answer is no ... deny, deny, deny." Mr Avage said there would be more damage done before senior figures at the RFS "take off their blinkers". "The dictatorial hypocrisy that NSWRFS has become will prevail unless volunteers continue to stand up to them," Mr Avage said. "The sooner they realise and remember that without volunteers they have no job, the better. "Unfortunately, I feel there is some damage to be done still before they take off their blinkers." Volunteer Fire Fighters Association president Jon Russell said Mr Avage was one of many RFS volunteers to have quit after being "treated appallingly": "Eighteen years of unpaid volunteer service has just walked away because of the ongoing appalling treatment of volunteers by the RFS hierarchy," Mr Russell said. Mr Russell said he had alerted Albury-based Greens MP Amanda Cohn to the reasons leading to Mr Avage's resignation. Dr Cohn in April questioned the then-RFS commissioner, Rob Rogers, at a NSW estimates committee hearing about an alleged "bullying culture" within the organisation. "Last estimates, we discussed the monitoring of bullying within the RFS," Dr Cohn said. "You were on record previously saying you didn't think there was a problem with bullying, but a problem with accountability." Mr Rogers replied: "As at 28 March, we have received 223 workplace complaints ... whilst I don't like complaints, I think it's a good sign that there are more complaints. "It makes people feel a level of confidence in reporting through it. I would expect that there'd be a level of surge. "They've come through different ways - a formal complaint form and a third-party hotline that we've set up where people can ring a different outside agency to report it. "We've been working through those complaints. The new system is there and it's working." The RFS told The Border Mail it had "zero tolerance" for bullying or harassment. An RFS spokesperson said the service "sincerely thanks former captain Avage for his many years of service to his community and the organisation". "We take all complaints of inappropriate behaviour seriously and are committed to ensuring every member feels safe, supported and respected," the spokesperson said "To support this, the service implemented a number of mechanisms ... which provided current and former members with access to an independent review of serious misconduct matters, and now has the Workplace Complaints Resolution Framework, which came into effect in July 2024. "The RFS is also committed to the wellbeing of its members. "In the years following the 2019-20 fire season, the most devastating in the state's history, the service significantly expanded its mental health and wellbeing support, introducing new programs and strengthening existing services."
