It was only fitting that when the Southern Sydney Rose Society who meet in the hall next to the Loftus Volunteer Bushfire Brigade wanted to say thanks ,they did it with roses.
"It was not just any rose" President of the National Rose Society of Australia, Colin Hollis said, when he attended the planting ceremony.
"It was a rose called Firefighter, a hybrid tea dark red highly fragrant rose"
On February 15 the Rose Society did what comes naturally to them,they donated three rose bushes to the volunteer firefighters ,which members than planted in the garden at their Loftus headquarters.
Rose Society secretary Lyndall Turner said the club see's the good work they do and in a small way wanted to say, thank you for their service.
"The rose honour's firefighters across Australia who risk their lives protecting Australia and its people against fires. Our members thought it appropriate at what has been a challenging fire season to make this tribute at this time" Lyndall Turner said.
The rose was named Firefighter to commemorate the 343 New York Firefighters who lost their lives in the terrorist attack on New York's twin towers on September 11 2001. It was introduced to Australia by Swains Nurseries in 2009 and quickly became a commemorative rose for firefighters across Australia, especially after the Black Saturday fires.
The rose has been planted in the Gardens of Government House Sydney and is a feature at many fire stations across the country.
"The intense red rose is one of the most fragrant of all the red roses" Ms Turner said.
"It is easy to grow in the Shire and as an added bonus it is disease resistant and almost thornless. Given the hot dry season we have experienced the rose is a good selection as it can withstand periods of intense heat,and it is the epitome of the classic rose in many people's mind".
Chairman of the local Rose Society Albert Knorr said because they meet next door they will make sure they are regularly fertilized and cared for.
"It will be exciting to watch the progress of these living tributes not only to the local men and women but to firefighters throughout the country"
"Australians, as well as people all around the world, are filled with admiration at the dedication of the volunteer firefighters,and we wanted to show our admiration to our local firemen and through them to other volunteers throughout the country" Mr Knorr said.
The Southern Sydney Rose Society meets on the third Saturday of each month at the Loftus Community Hall at 1 p.m. Like the firefighters next door, they always welcome new members.
Membership details can be obtained by contacting Lyndall Turner on 0414490167.
