Mollymook Ocean Swimmer

Recommended for Bravery Award

St Marys firefighter Phil Holdsworth got a call of devastating bush fires sweeping through the Blue Mountains last October.

Arriving on the scene, Phil and fellow officer Tony Gutteridge found a community of 54 men, women and children with their pets trapped by the fire with only one road in and one road out of the smoke ravaged area.

Some 12 homes were lost that day, but all lives were saved due to the quick thinking of the Ocean swimmer and fellow firefighter.

Driving straight through the fire line, small fire fronts and fallen trees, the team risked their lives to save the trapped residents and have been nominated for “Outstanding Bravery Medals”.

They commented that it had been one of the toughest days of their lives on duty. 

The Mollymook Ocean Swimmers commend Phil for his bravery, and hope he and his family are able to make it to Lake Tabourie soon for a break and freshen up at Mollymook in present 15 degree ocean temperature.      

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