LOCAL LIFE
Camera is a tower of strength for the RFS
by Greg Martin
I was sorely tempted to open this story with the famous“ Big Brother is watching you” line from George Orwell’ s classic novel 1984- but that would be doing a great disservice to“ Mister Floppy”.
In Orwell’ s fictional world, Big Brother is the tyrannical ruler of a totalitarian superstate who has cameras everywhere- and I mean everywhere- spying on the population.
Mister Floppy? He’ s a very different kind of watcher.
“ Mister Floppy” is the affectionate nickname for a bushfire monitoring and detection camera perched atop a 10-metrehigh tower, sitting proudly on a ridge at Kurrajong Heights.
And unlike Orwell’ s Big Brother, who was feared and loathed, Mister Floppy is adored by all who fall under his watchful gaze.
The camera is one of 21 now installed across the eastern side of NSW, working around the clock, 24 / 7, scanning vast stretches of bushland for the earliest signs of trouble- a wisp of smoke, a flicker of flame. Every 90 seconds, each camera sweeps its assigned landscape. Collectively, the network monitors around four million hectares of bushland, with the vision instantly available to dedicated members of the Rural Fire Service.“ As part of the WatchTower Networks platform, the cameras provide real-time public access via the CentralWatch dashboard,” said Matthew Connolly, computer whiz and founder of WatchTower Networks.
“ They significantly reduce detection time, allowing faster identification of bushfire threats and enabling quicker response times to help protect lives and property.
“ This milestone in fire-fighting wouldn’ t have been possible without our incredible partners who immediately offered their support once they understood what the WatchTower Network could achieve.”
So, onya to Transgrid, Elecnor Australia, the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, the Softwoods Working Group and the Murray Regional Forestry Hub.
The Kurrajong Heights WatchTower sits on Col Fullagar’ s stunning property, with sweeping views that stretch from Gosford to the north-east and south-east towards Manly.
A proud RFS volunteer for most of his life, Col didn’ t hesitate when asked if the tower could be installed on his land.
And when Col says“ jumped”, he means it literally.
For 15 years he served with the RFS Remote Area Firefighting Team, jumping from helicopters and being winched into inaccessible fire zones to tackle blazes where trucks simply can’ t go.
“ There comes a time when the body says,‘ enough is enough’, so I wrapped that side of things up about three years ago,” Col said.
It was also Col who gave the WatchTower its memorable nickname.“ Why Mister Floppy?” I asked.“ Just take a good look at the top of the tower,” Col replied. I did- and after a moment, the penny dropped. Have a squiz at the accompanying photo and it will for you too.
The new WatchTower at Kurrajong Heights is a welcome addition to the Rural Fire Service armoury. Long-time RFS member Col Fullagar jumped at the opportunity to have it situated on his property.
THE HAWKESBURY INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine. com. au ISSUE 189 // FEBRUARY 2026 9