LOCAL LIFE
ONE OF THE HAWKESBURY’ S FINEST...
A man for all seasons – especially during fire seasons! Freemans Reach RFS brigade highly respected captain is a worthy recipient of the 2026 Hawkesbury citizen of the Year Award. by Greg Martin
Think about it! Where would we Australians be without the host of volunteers who help make this country tick?
They’ re everywhere throughout our society- members of junior sporting clubs, service clubs such as Rotary and Lions, the Country Women’ s Association, Surf Life Saving, State Emergency Service and of course, the Rural Fire Service.
Which brings us to Bruce Earle – and through him, his parents and grandparents, all of whom have been great servants to the Freemans Reach Rural Fire Service brigade.
Bruce was anointed Hawkesbury Citizen of the Year at the 2025 Australia Day Awards, but such is his modesty, he said he was“ shocked” to be given the coveted award.
“ Volunteering is the heart of any community – without all these hardworking and conscientious folk of all ages, the world would be a much poorer place,” Bruce said.
But anyone who knows and has crossed paths with the 58-year-old firmly believe he thoroughly deserves to be fully recognised for what he brings to our community.
The award is presented“ to a person who has contributed significantly to the Hawkesbury, creating long-term benefits for our community, and who has demonstrated selflessness, commitment and involvement in the Hawkesbury”.
The 58-year-old Bruce certainly met – indeed, surpassed all the necessary requirements to be conferred the award.“ I’ m shocked and genuinely didn’ t believe I’ d won the award when informed,” Bruce said.
“ Of course, I am incredibly honoured to be the recipient and following in the footsteps of my late dad, Owen, who was presented with the same award in 1989.”
Since the Freemans Reach RFS brigade was formed in 1951, the Earle family has played a major role in serving our community.
“ My grandfather, Snowy, was a founding member and was the brigade’ s captain between 1951 and 1972 when he was succeeded by my father, who was at the helm until retiring in 1992,” Bruce explained.
“ My mum, Janice, has also been heavily involved with our brigade and after dad’ s passing in 2004 she has still remained a member, although cutting back on her contribution in recent years.”
Bruce has officially been a fire-fighting member of the brigade since he was 16 years old, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, father and mother.
Although he did admit to your writer that he did help-out with minor firefighting duties from the age of 12!
During his many years with the brigade, Bruce has held almost every position at the station and has been its captain for 20 years after succeeding his dad, Owen.
In his time as captain, Bruce has
6 ISSUE 191 // APRIL 2026 theindependentmagazine. com. au THE HAWKESBURY INDEPENDENT