Mr HOGAN (Page—Deputy Speaker) (13:31): I'd like to acknowledge the hard work and bravery of our local RFS and emergency services, who have been battling devastating bushfires across the community and the wider region. People have literally put their lives at risk to defend other people's lives, homes, farms and businesses. They have literally kept our community safe. After five days, major fires burnt over 10,000 hectares around Angourie and Wooloweyah, south of Yamba, and nearly 50,000 hectares between Drake and Tenterfield. Hundreds of volunteer firefighters from 36 RFS brigades in the Clarence Valley, 38 brigades from the Northern Rivers district and more from across the state have been deployed. It was a terrifying situation people were confronted with. As containment lines were breached, flames soared just metres away from homes, with fierce winds carrying showers of hot embers onto household roofs. Gulmarrad Public School students and staff were evacuated to Maclean Public School. Incredible stories have been told of the bravery and kindness of people across the community—stories like the 10-year-old girl who donated her birthday cake for the volunteers of the Gulmarrad RFS. Numerous community groups rallied around to make sandwiches and donate food and water. Farmers have offered up their land to save livestock affected by the fires. It was a harrowing week, and, again, in times of adversity I thank and am so proud of the so many who did so much to help others in our community.