
June 12, 2025
A chilly night couldn’t stop the Wondai Neighbourhood Watch group from giving a warm “thank you” to the town’s emergency services personnel on Wednesday evening.
The get-together at Wondai Memorial Hall was open to the local community who were invited to come along to thank their firefighters, ambulance paramedics, police and other local agencies.
There was information available about the various services, and the Wondai Lions Club also organised a free barbecue.
The evening coincided with the annual “Thank A First Responder Day”, a national day of appreciation for first responders and their families.
There are more than 370,000 first responders across Australia who support local communities.
Many of these people face enormous tasks as part of their day-to-day activities, from attending horrific crashes and medical emergencies to fighting bushfires and rescuing residents from floodwaters.
Many also can face personal harm while carrying out their duties.
In fact, a national counselling service for first responders, says one in three experience high or very high psychological distress from trauma experienced on the job with PTSD affecting between 10 and 23 per cent.
Wondai Neighbourhood Watch area co-ordinator Darren Buckley said he wanted to thank all first responders for their service to the community.
He presented “thank you” baskets to representatives from the groups present.
South Burnett Mayor Kathy Duff said emergency services do not get “anywhere near the recognition” they deserved.
“You are all at the coalface during a wonderful job … dealing with life and death situations,” she said.
Mayor Duff also made special mention of the dedication of Captain Wayne “Cookie” Jeffrey who was farewelled by Wondai Fire Station colleagues last week after an amazing 45 years with the Queensland Fire Department.








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Wondai Neighbourhood Watch president Darren Buckley presented “thank you” baskets to local first responders and Wondai Lions, which helped out at the Expo:

Great work everyone!