A second Wreck Bay Rural Fire Service tanker has taken on a fantastic new look.
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The tanker, "Wreck Bay 1" has just received it's new look, being wrapped in an indigenous artwork.
It joins "Wreck Bay 7" which has also had the artwork installed.
Wreck Bay Brigade Captain Anthony "AJ" Roberts and Deputy Captain Bernie McLeod picked up the latest tanker from Shoalhaven Signs Nowra after it was wrapped in the stunning artwork.
The artwork is a representation of brigade members and cultural connections with the Wreck Bay community.
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"It looks fantastic," Captain AJ said.
"It makes me feel very proud.
Wreck Bay brigade is part of our community and this artwork further strengthens those connections.
- Wreck Bay Brigade Captain Anthony "AJ" Roberts
"Our Wreck Bay brigade station is on Aboriginal land owned and managed by Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community Council.
"It is part of our community and this artwork further strengthens those connections."
The artwork is by artist Nikita Ridgeway, of Boss Lady Design and Communications, who worked closely with brigade members and in particular brigade community engagement officer Jackson Brown, in coming up with the design artwork.
"Jackson and Nikita worked closely over the last couple of months on the project design," Captain AJ said.
"It is a wonderful design."
Captain AJ explained the significance of the design.
The hands represent the people of the community.
The dots around that represent the Wreck Bay community members, past, present and future.
The large black dots represent the communities in NSW with flames reaching out to those communities.
The blue represents the waters around the Bherwerre Peninsula.
While the sea creatures represent the cultural connection of Wreck Bay people have to the ocean.
"It makes me very proud to be able to show the community our unique place and the respect we have for it," he said.
"Especially, as a young generation captain, having come through and been taught the ropes by past and present elders, makes me very proud to be in the captain's role.
"We must thank the Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community Council for its ongoing support."
The brigade boasts 35 members, including a complete female crew.
"We have grown significantly," Captain AJ said.
"We previously had about 15 active members but have had a lot of new members join.
"And you don't have to be indigenous or live in the Wreck Bay community to be part of our brigade.
"We have a number of non-indigenous members, who play a significant role in the brigade's activities.
"And probably about half of our members actually live off community.
"We are just like any other brigade throughout the Shoalhaven, our members join to do their bit for their local community, especially in times of emergencies."
He said he would also like to encourage local indigenous and non-indigenous kids to get involved in the brigade to provide them a pathway to be able to work for their community within the fire service.
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