On Saturday, our dedicated NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) volunteers had a number of reasons to celebrate – O’Connell Brigade Fire Station and region’s Fire Control Centre were officially opened, O’Connell Brigade received a new fire truck and firefighter Geoffrey Burton received a long service medal.

Not only did the region’s firefighters come together for the celebration, but NSW RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons also paid a visit.

And a celebration of this magnitude called for a pretty fancy spread, Parade thinks.

While checking out the O’Connell Rural Fire Brigade’s Facebook page for photos from the event, Parade spotted the fanciest cupcakes she might have ever seen.

Each one had been carefully decorated with faces of firefighters wearing the different colour helmets that denote various ranks, including: firefighter (white helmet), deputy captain (white with red stripes), chaplain (dark blue with white cross) and even the commissioner (black).

Read more about the NSW RFS’ celebrations on page four.

THERE are many amazing businesses and employees across Bathurst who turn up every day and give their best to help ensure our city has a thriving economy, and now it’s time to recognise them.

Nominations for this year’s 2018 Peak Connect Carillon Business Awards are open with 19 categories aimed at recognising the best of the best.

Due to past feedback, the awards’ committee has simplified the process to encourage even more businesses and employees to get involved.

The first step is to make a nomination and businesses or the public who are keen to put forward their favourite local business or employee must do so by Saturday, June 30.

Jump online to 2018 Peak Connect Carillon Business Awards to find our more or to make a nomination.