Meet Matt George, Wellbeing and Vocational Support Specialist
What does it take to make a first responder feel appreciated?
It doesn’t take a major event or a large budget. Sometimes it’s as simple as a child saying thank you, a local business opening its doors, a school choir singing a song of appreciation, or a community coming together to recognise the people who are always there when others need them most.
Nearly two months on from Thank a First Responder Day, those moments of gratitude continue to resonate across the Northern Rivers. The campaign may have lasted a day, but the impact of a community saying ‘thank you’ lasts much longer.
Across the region, councils, schools, shopping centres, community organisations, local businesses, volunteers and residents all found their own way to recognise first responders and their families. Together, they created moments of genuine connection that will be remembered well beyond the campaign itself.
These moments matter. First responders regularly face challenging and traumatic situations, and while they rarely seek recognition, knowing their community values their service can have a lasting impact on wellbeing, resilience and morale. Community gratitude reminds first responders that they are seen, valued and supported by the people they serve.
In Lismore, community involvement began well before the day itself. Through a series of social media videos, Lismore Square introduced local first responders to the community, sharing the stories behind the uniforms and the people who choose to serve. The campaign also featured a message of appreciation from Janelle Saffin MP, encouraging the community to recognise the dedication of emergency service personnel across the region.
On June 10, Thank a First Responder Day, Lismore Square became a hub of community connection through an activation delivered in partnership with the Reconstruction Authority, NSW Police and Fortem Australia. Visitors were invited to record personal messages of thanks using a dedicated community phone, while conversations between first responders and members of the public created meaningful opportunities for connection. One of the day’s highlights came when local preschool children proudly recorded heartfelt messages of appreciation, learning first-hand about the important role first responders play in keeping communities safe.
In Ballina, Ballina RSL Club once again hosted its annual Thank a First Responder morning tea, bringing together representatives from NSW Police Force, NSW Ambulance, Fire and Rescue NSW, NSW Rural Fire Service, NSW State Emergency Service, Marine Rescue NSW, Volunteer Rescue Association and local Surf Life Saving Clubs. The many different uniforms on display reflected a united commitment to serving the community while providing an opportunity for agencies to be recognised together.
The celebration was attended by Mayor Sharon Cadwallader, Deputy Mayor Damien Loone, councillors, community leaders and local organisations, all joining to acknowledge the commitment of their local first responders. Adding to the occasion, the choir from St Francis Xavier Primary School performed a specially written Thank a First Responder Day song, which premiered on Paradise FM community radio, extending the message of gratitude across the region.
Further south, Bellingen showed how an entire community can rally behind its first responders. A community celebration at Maam Gaduying Park, supported by Bellingen Shire Council, the Community Recovery Network and Fortem Australia, brought together emergency services, volunteers, schools, community organisations, residents and Pat Conaghan MP to recognise the people who dedicate themselves to protecting the community.
The Bellingen Lions Club generously volunteered to cook a community barbecue, creating an opportunity for residents to meet and personally thank local first responders. The appreciation extended beyond the event itself, with 14 gift baskets delivered to emergency service agencies across Bellingen, Urunga and Dorrigo. Supported by local schools, businesses and community groups, the initiative ensured that even those unable to attend felt the gratitude of the communities they serve.
Looking back, it wasn’t any one event that made the biggest difference – it was the collective effort. Every thank you message, every conversation, every school activity and every community gesture helped strengthen the bond between first responders and the people they serve.
The Northern Rivers has shown what is possible when a community comes together with a shared purpose. It is a reminder that supporting first responders doesn’t have to be limited to one day each year. Communities can continue to show appreciation in countless ways throughout the year, helping those who dedicate their lives to protecting others feel valued and connected.
Because while Thank a First Responder Day may come once a year, a community’s gratitude can leave a lasting impact.
