Funeral Notices

It is with great regret that we report the passing of the following personnel.

The Association offers it’s sincere condolences.

 

The Retirees Association has been advised of the passing of 
retired Station Officer Herbert HERRMAN (3086) 
on 20th September 2023. 
Herbert joined the NSWFB on 31/05/1963 and he retired on 14/12/1999.

Funeral details will be provided when advised.



The Commissioner regrets to advise of the passing of 
Retired Senior Firefighter Peter JOHNSON (4440) 
of Penrith Fire Station.

Peter joined the NSW Fire Brigades on 8 January 1971 and served for 
over 31 years until his retirement on 8 May 2002. 

Peter was awarded the National Medal and the National Medal 1st Clap, 
serving at Stanmore, Headquarters (City of Sydney), Leichhardt, Turvey Park, Albury, 
Wentworthville, Seven Hills, Huntingwood, and Penrith Fire Stations. 

Funeral details will be distributed when available. 



The Commissioner regrets to advise of the passing of 
Retired Superintendent David McKENZIE (2645). QFSM.

David joined the NSW Fire Brigades on 8 January 1960 
and served for 37 years until his retirement on 21 October 1997. 

David served at Botany, Alexandria, The Rocks, Beecroft, BA Section, and Zone South West 1. 

A Funeral Service will be held as follows:
Monday, 25 September 2023 at 10:00 hours
South Chapel
Eastern Suburbs Memorial Park 
12 Military Rd, 
Matraville, NSW

Members may attend and form a Guard of Honour should one be required. 

Ceremonial Dress Uniform: Galatea, Peaked Cap, Medals, and Tie may be worn.



The Retirees Association has been made aware of the passing of 
retired Inspector Keith BLADES (3475)
on Sunday 27th August 2023.

Keith joined the NSWFB on 27/09/1965 and retired on 15/04/2004.

Funeral
Friday, 1st September 2023 at 1pm 
Bondi Anglican St Mary's Church, 
240 Birrell Street, 
Waverley. 

Join us afterwards to celebrate his life at the Coogee Diggers. 
Jan and Family


The Retirees Association has become aware of the recent passing of 
retired Station Officer Mark (Blocka) HOULDER (5647) 
formerly of #60 Station Avalon. 

Mark joined NSW Fire Brigades on 3rd August 1979 and served until his retirement on 4th March 2016. 
Mark served at Crows Nest, Forestville, Mona Vale, Narrabeen, Manly, State Communications Centre, Mosman and Avalon Fire Stations.

Mark was a former Captain of Palm Beach Surf Club and current President of Avalon RSL Club.

Mark passed away on 23rd August, 2023 whilst on holidays in Thailand from a respiratory infection.

Funeral
Thursday 14th September at 1400hrs
Service will be on the lawn outside Avalon RSL Club
1 Bowling Green Lane
Avalon Beach 2107
then into the club to celebrate his life.

Members may attend in uniform.

Dress code:
Ceremonial Dress Uniform – Peak cap, tie and medals
(Galateas may be worn)
On-shift crews attending may wear Duty Wear. 



The Retirees Association has been made aware of the passing of 
retired Senior Firefighter Jacob Cornelis (Jack) OOST (4604). 
Jack passed away on 30th December, 2022 aged 85 years. 

Jacob joined the NSWFB on 20th August 1971 and retired on 19th August 1997.


The Retirees Association has been made aware of the passing of 
2843 Senior Firefighter Neville NEELY(retired),
 formerly of 503 Station Wollongong & Wollongong Communication Centre, 
passed away on Saturday 19th August, 2023,
 at the Bulli Hospital Palliative Care Unit. 

Neville joined NSWFB on 5th May, 1961 and retired on 17th February, 1999.

Funeral
1100 hours (11 am) Wednesday, 30th August 2023
at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 
211 Northcliffe Drive,
 Berkeley.



The Commissioner regrets to advise of the passing of 
Retired Station Officer James Kenneth BAIRD (3997), 
formerly of Penrith Fire Station.

James joined NSW Fire Brigades on 14 June 1968 and served for 35 years until his retirement on 4 July 2003. 

James served at City of Sydney, Newtown, Redfern, Rydalmere, Parramatta, Guildford, 
Silverwater, Northmead, Wentworthville, Mount Druitt and Penrith Fire Stations.

Funeral details:
Friday, 18th August 2023 at 15:30 hrs
Pinegrove West Chapel,
Kingston Street, Minchinbury 2770

Members may attend in uniform and form a Guard of Honour. Should one be required.

Ceremonial Dress Uniform – Peak cap, tie and medals.
(Galateas may be worn) 


The Commissioner regrets to advise of the passing of 
Retired Senior Firefighter Anthony (Tony) COSTIN  (4314)
formerly of Revesby Fire Station. 

Anthony served at The Rocks, Liverpool, and Revesby Fire Stations and served in FRNSW for 34 years. 

Anthony passed away at Liverpool Hospital on Friday 11 August 2023. 

Anthony is the father of Station Officer Mick Costin of Horningsea Park Fire Station.

Funeral
Tuesday, 22nd August 2023 at 1100hrs
St Luke’s Church
1 Beaconsfield Street, 
Revesby, 2212

Members may attend in uniform and form a Guard of Honour. Should one be required.

Ceremonial Dress Uniform – Peak cap, tie and medals.


The Commissioner regrets to advise of the passing of 
Retired Station Officer Mark GOUDIE (5935), 
formerly of Griffith Fire Station, 
on Wednesday 2nd August 2023.

Mark joined NSW Fire Brigades on 13 August 1982 and served for 34 years until his retirement on 20 August 2016. 

Mark served at City of Sydney, Penrith, Mt Druitt, Revesby, 
Cronulla, Kogarah, Miranda, Campsie and finishing at Griffith Fire Station.

A Funeral Service will be held as follows:

Tuesday, 15 August 2023 at 10:00 hours
Olsens Funerals Sutherland,
691 Old Princes Hwy
Sutherland NSW 2232

Family have requested to wear bright colours or your favourite party shirt.



The Commissioner regrets to advise of the passing of 
Retired Captain Alexander Phillip WINDEBANK (81001), 
formerly of 81 Station Windsor, 
on Friday 28th July 2023.

Funeral details:
1100 hours Friday 4 August 2023
St Mathews Anglican Church
5 Moses Street
Windsor



The Retirees Association has been made aware of the passing of 
retired fire fighter Robert Keith RUMBLE (233007) on Saturday 29th July 2023.

Robbie was a member of station 233 Bourke, for just under 23 years from 15/09/73 to 30/04/96 .

No funeral details are available at this stage.



The Retirees Association has been made aware of the passing of 
retired S/F/F Leo CALDWELL (3281) 
on Friday 21st July 2023. 

Leo joined the NSWFB on 19/06/1964 and retired on 10/10/2001.

Leo was an active member of the Retirees Association as a Committee person 
and Branch Coordinator for Newcastle.

Funeral 
11:00 hours, Thursday, 27th July 2023
St Kevin's Catholic Church, 
226 Main Road 
Cardiff NSW 2285.



The Retirees Association has been made aware of the passing of
retired Station Officer Graham FIELD (2775) 
on Saturday, 15th July 2023 in nursing care. 

Graham joined the NSWFB in November 1960 and retired in May 1996.

Funeral details
1130 hrs Tuesday 25th July 2023,
South Chapel, 
Rookwood Crematorium



The Retirees Association has been made aware of the passing of 
retired Inspector Graeme KACHEL (2551) 
on Saturday 15th July 2023.

 Graeme joined the NSWFB in 1959 and retired on 27/12/1991. 
Graeme is the father of serving member William (Bill) Kachel.

A funeral will be held at 
11:00 hours on Friday 21st July 2023 
at Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral 
23 Yardley Avenue, 
WAITARA NSW 2077. 

Following the service a wake will be held at 
Asquith Bowling and Recreation Club, 1 Lodge Street ASQUITH.



The Retirees Association has been made aware of the passing of 
ex NSWFB Firefighter 4544 Noel BLESSINGTON
on the 11th July 2023.

Noel transferred from Paddington College to 21C in August 1971. 
He transferred from 21C to HQC and then back to 21C in 1972.
In December 1972 he transferred to Canberra FB and served at Forrest A 
until his resignation.

Noel is survived by his wife Julie, son Clinton and a large extended 
Blessington family. 

No funeral details are available at this stage.



The Commissioner regrets to advise the passing of 
Retired Inspector Michael CARROLL (5462), 
formerly of Metropolitan South 3, 
on Thursday 6th July 2023.

Michael joined NSW Fire Brigades on 25 August 1978 and served until his retirement in March 2023.

Michael is the father of Station Officer Matthew Carroll of 49 station Cabramatta.

Michael passed away peacefully with his family by his side. 

A Funeral Service will be held as follows:
Friday 14 July 2023 at 10:30 hours
St Pauls Catholic Church
25 John Street 
Camden NSW 2570

This will be followed by the burial at Camden General Cemetery.

To form a Guard of Honour, please arrive at 1000 hours. 
Ceremonial Dress Uniform – Peak cap, tie and medals.
(Galateas may be worn)
If wearing duty wear a baseball cap should be worn.  



The Retirees Association has been made aware of the passing of 
retired Captain Thomas (Tom) HETHERINGTON (088017) 
formerly of #88 Station Campbelltown 
on Monday 3rd July, 2023.

Tom joined the NSWFB as a Retained Firefighter at #84 Station Macquarie Fields 
on 14/05/1984 and retired on 31/01/2007 as 
Captain at #88 Station Campbelltown.

Funeral
Wednesday 12th July 2023 11am
Wanda Surf Life Saving Club
2 Marine Esplanade, Cronulla NSW 2230



The Commissioner regrets to inform of the passing of 
(429006) Firefighter George SHAW (Ret) 
formerly of Qurindi Fire Station.

George joined NSW Fire Brigades in July 1956 serving until his retirement in March 1995.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday June 27 at 1030hrs. A guard of honour will be formed. 

Dress for serving members is Winter dress uniform, Peak Cap, Galatea, Shirt, Tie & Medals