‘Surprise’ was the word said to Harden Fire and Rescue member Nic Nadycz at the Light Horse Hotel on Wednesday night.
Nic has spent the last 35 years of his life serving the Harden-Murrumburrah community and district as an integral part of the Fire and Rescue Brigade.
60 past and present members and representatives of the organisation were on hand including John Sargent, Les Cameron, Harvey Blackman, Gary Metcalfe, Terry O’Keeffe, Warren Keefe, Robin Chard and Elizabeth Robinson. There was an apology from Toby Granger.
Nic was unaware that the dinner was being held and was ‘set up’ when asked to cover a shift at the pub that evening. Brigade Captain Wal Leonow asked Nic to help shift a fridge which resulted in Nic finding a room full of people who had arrived to celebrate his 35 year mark with him.
Nic made a speech thanking everyone for their generosity and kindness and spoke briefly on how things had changed during his time. He said when he first joined in 1979 it was called the Murrumburrah Volunteer Fire Brigade, which was later changed to the NSW Fire Brigade and more recently Fire and Rescue NSW.
He also said that there had been 4 uniform changes during his tenure. Nic reflected that the only thing that hadn’t changed was the satisfaction he got from helping people in trouble; however, sometimes it was difficult when you attended incidents where you knew the people locally. The statewide skill-set has also evolved to include those of full-time firemen over the years.
Nic said the Brigade assisted with everything from trapped animals, motor vehicle accidents, fires and assisting pensioners with changing their smoke alarms.
They have also assisted other towns when needed, including the Australian Hotel fire in Young and the Boorowa Nursing Home blaze. He said the fire ‘family’ is close and that you must have the ability to get along with all members to get the job done.
Nic is also well-known for managing the Harden Swimming Pool for 21 years from 1983 to 2004 and his famous words of ‘no running on the concrete’ echoed around the pool during that time.
Congratulations on servicing the Harden-Murrumburrah community for decades, Nic.
