Brave firies strip down to budgie smugglers for flood victims

Members of four Mid North Coast brigades recently stripped down to budgie smugglers to support, and in hopes of being included in, a fundraising calendar to help flood victims.

The calendar is being made as a result of the creation of the Budgie Smugglers in the Manning, Mid North Coast and Australia wide Facebook page created by Taree's Emma Martin, initially just to have fun and bring smiles to a disaster-worn community.

Annette Pullman of Tinonee Fire Brigade thought it would be a great idea for local NSW Rural Fire Service brigades to be included in the calendar, so she reached out to Wallaby Joe, Old Bar, and Burrell Creek brigades to join the Tinonee brigade in the fun.

However, it did take some persuasion from Annette.

"It was seriously one of the most difficult things I've ever organised. It took guts from the guys and they had to overcome a little bit of shyness so lots of encouragement was needed before the shoot," she said.

And, she says, the resulting photo shoot was hilarious.

Photographer Katrina Irwin did the shoot pro bono at Tallships Reserve in Tinonee.

"We chose that location due to the symbolism of the floods and we also wanted the river to feature," Annette said.

Pictured in the photos are Eddi Raglus ("she was such a fantastic sport," Annette said,) Mark Mckie, Jonno Webster, Greg Walker, Dave Murphy, Cam Bartlett, Damian Chester, Scott Babington, and Matthew Thompson.

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