NSW RFS - Tilligerry Brigade

29/08/2026

This morning, we remembered Firefighter Garth Payne who sadly died earlier this year.
We unveiled his name plaque on our memorial, and presented his son with Garth’s NSW Premier’s citation for service during the 2022-2023 flood crisis.

13/08/2026

Tonight Thursday 13 August we will be assisting Tanilba Bay Golf Club to Carry out a Pile Burn at the Golf Course From 6pm
Expect to see smoke in the area
There is no need to call 000 for this as we will already be there
Thank you
Tilligerry Brigade.

24/07/2026

Saturday is Training day and this Saturday we are hosting multiple Rural Fire Service brigades from the Port Stephens area at Tilligerry peninsula.
A huge thank you to the Worimi
Land Council for allowing us to train on their land. So if you see a fire truck give us a wave.

08/06/2026

Congratulations to Our Bruce McGrath on receiving a Medal for RFS Australia Fire Service, as a part of the Kings Birthday Honours! Well deserved!

Congratulations to the seven members receiving the Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM) in the 2026 King's Birthday Honour list.

The AFSM recognises distinguished service by members of Australian fire services and is awarded to paid and volunteer members.

Join us in congratulating the following members on their exceptional service to the RFS and their community:
• Group Captain Garry Bashford – New England
• Deputy Group Captain Peter Bennett – Blue Mountains
• Group Captain Andrew Browning – Mid Murray
• Acting Deputy Commissioner Viki Campbell – State Operations
• Group Captain Michael Kovacs – Cumberland
• Deputy Group Captain Bruce McGrath – Lower Hunter
• Captain Deborah Sharp – Illawarra/Sutherland

To read more about the recipients, visit the website: www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/news-and-media/general-news/seven-rfs-members-receive-kings-birthday-honours

15/03/2026

Be aware that there is a bush fire burning in the Oyster Cove area in a south westerly direction.
It is burning towards Oyster cove road and there is multiple fire fighting units and air support working to try and bring it under control.
Please avoid the area to keep the roads clear for firefighting vehicles to move around the fire safely and easily.

22/02/2026

31/01/2026

It is with heavy hearts and the greatest of sadness that we share the news today of the passing of one of our members Garth Payne.
Garth has served the community for the past 10 years as a volunteer firefighter and is a life member of Tilligerry Rural Fire Brigade. One the best mates you could ever have and a man you were always proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with.
Our condolences extend to his family and his greater RFS family.
Garth will forever be in our hearts and in the truck with us.
Rest in Peace mate

27/01/2026

This morning we are seeing most of Port Stephens covered in a blanket of smoke. This smoke has blown in from a large bushfire burning in the Mid coast area of Nerong.
Last night our volunteers at Tilligerry were called out at 01.30 am by a 000 call due to this smoke within the 30 minutes we drove around the Tilligerry area the smoke had lifted.
It has come back again later as the breeze brought it back in.
Again we remind everyone if you see fire call 000 otherwise we would expect this smoke to be coming and going for the next day or 2 as firefighters work on the Nerong fire to bring it under control and extinguish it.

10/01/2026

At 5:59 this morning Tilligerry RFS got paged to reports of a bush fire behind Tanilba Shore Village.
Once Tilligerry located it we work alongside with Medowie Rural Fire Brigade and Williamtown/Salt Ash Rural Fire Brigade we worked quickly to extinguish and mop the fire

If you see any unattended fire call triple zero immediately.