On the June 17 I spoke about the remarkable spirit of service and gratitude alive across Northern Tasmania.
I recently partnered with Fortem Australia for National Thank a First Responder Day, extending our local campaign by two weeks to ensure everyone had ample time to participate. Through the fantastic backing of our local community pharmacies and the office of Tanya Rattray, card collection boxes were hosted right across Bass, allowing everyday Tasmanians to write direct messages of appreciation.
The responses left by our community were moving, heartfelt, and occasionally full of classic Tasmanian humour. I had the privilege of reading several of these notes directly into the parliamentary record tonight, including a wonderful moment of shared levity that united both sides of the Chamber.
Our first responders—whether they are Firefighters, Ambulance Officers, Paramedics, Police, or SES volunteers are the unsung heroes of our communities. They do not seek the spotlight, which is precisely why it is our duty to ensure their daily efforts and regular sacrifices are properly recognized.
Mr. FERGUSON (Bass): Thank you, Speaker. Before I begin to speak about Thank a First Responder Day, I really want to thank the Honourable Member for Bass, Mrs. Greene, for her tribute to the late Sandra Hodge, and I associate myself with those comments and applaud her life and pass on my sympathy to her family—some of whom I am very close to as well.
Tonight, Speaker, I want to bring to the attention of the House an initiative that I am very pleased and have had the distinct privilege of being involved in and supporting, and that is Thank a First Responder Day. That is a day that has been set aside in June.
Of course, as Members here know, our first responders—whether they are our Firefighters, Police officers, Ambos, paid and volunteer, Police, or SES volunteers—they are the unsung heroes of our communities, and we absolutely rely on them. I believe our culture absolutely applauds them, and we look for ways to demonstrate that. So, they are not seeking the spotlight, which is precisely why I think it is our duty as MPs in this place to ensure that their daily efforts and regular sacrifices are properly recognized.
When Fortem approached me with this initiative, I saw it as a great opportunity to allow my Bass local Bass community to do what we do best, which is to support our own and be grateful for the giving of others. While National Thank a First Responder Day was officially marked on the tenth of June, I extended our local campaign in Bass by a couple of weeks to ensure every busy individual across Northern Tassie had ample time to participate and say thank you to a first responder.
So, I would like to share with the House a number of the responses that we received to our postcard campaign. And before I do, I just want to give a big thank you to the pharmacies and the office of Tanya Rattray for placing those postcards on their counters and allowing people to find them.
So, here is the first one. One community member wrote: “Thank you! For all of your hard work, effort, support, & care. You all do a wonderful job.” And then a smiley face and a heart.
Another said: “Thanks for being amazing.”
Another said: “Thank you for all your hard work and effort, support and care. You all do a wonderful job.”
John said: “Thank you for the wonderful help. No matter what.”
Kathy said: “Thanks for being there.”
Another said: “Thank you to our first responders for your courage, compassion and unwavering dedication. Your service makes our community safe every day!”
And another said: “Thank you! For everything you do for our community! We appreciate you.” With a love heart.
Another said: “Thank you to our first responders for your courage, compassion and unwavering dedication. Your service makes our community safe every day.”
And we also saw some classic Tasmanian humour, and I don’t mind sharing that with the House. So, this card said: “Thank you! For being my favourite eye candy.” A wink face was added there as well.
Another person said: “Really appreciate your work.” I, by the way, colleagues, I realize that was not directed at me; that was to our first responders. (Laughter in the Chamber) Another person said: “Really appreciate your work.” It is—I’m glad to get a laugh out of the other side after a long day. “Really appreciate your work. It is mind-blowing what you do and what you see. You all should be honored more.” That was from Ted.
And lastly, a message that I think truly captures the spirit of Tasmanians when they are thinking about our wonderful first responders—whether they are in paid employment as first responders or some of those wonderful volunteer Fireies, Ambos, and SES workers. This anonymous card said:
“To all our emergency responders. Thank you for your efforts. You all work in challenging situations and conditions when communities’ emotions are often running high. Your job requires some very confronting situations that many people could not cope with, but you are there to support, manage, and protect our community. Thank you—it’s the minimum you deserve.” Exclamation mark.
So, I wanted to share those heartfelt messages. I think it is vital for our frontline personnel to hear directly from the community. I hope that this campaign that we have run in Bass will be received in the spirit in which it has been given. I hope that it will build confidence and a sense of support for our first responders.
We know that there are times when you are tired, times when you are treated badly, or even harmed, or placed in a dangerous situation. We just ask that you will know one thing, and that is: that you will never be unappreciated.
Thank you.
