Courageous and heroic efforts

I would like to place on record my appreciation and thanks to all who put their lives at risk to save our homes and lives on Sunday, January 1, a day I will not forget easily.

It was the day when a horrendous bushfire swept over Phegans Bay, Horsfield Bay and Woy Woy Bay.

Two of my neighbours in Wattle Crescent lost their homes and for many hours we feared that another three houses would be lost.

However, through the courageous and heroic efforts of the rural and volunteer bush fire brigade, no more homes and no lives were lost.

Unfortunately, volunteers of the local volunteer bush fire brigade lost six cars.

My special thanks go to my next door neighbour at No. 2 Wattle Crescent, who stayed behind to protect his home and mine and my heart goes out to the residents at No 1 and No 5 Wattle Crescent who lost their homes.

This event brought us closer together as a community and we can look forward in hope to better days in 2006.

Fritz Baumung, Phegans Bay