Community
6 February, 2026
Students grateful for CFA volunteers
STUDENTS at Derrinallum P-12 College and Lismore Primary School have expressed gratitude to the Country Fire Authority (CFA) for protecting their communities.
Both schools were on high alert in the days leading to the first day of the school year as the Larralea fire continued to burn, with some school bus routes disrupted due to road closures.
Derrinallum P-12 College principal Caitlyn Fitzgerald said she was pleased the school year could begin with minimal disruptions thanks to the work of CFA volunteers.
“We were very fortunate it didn’t endanger Derrinallum, but it was close enough we had to pay close attention,” she said.
“We also had to monitor as we’re a bus coordination school – we had to monitor as we have a bus route in that area, so we had to close it down and do daily check-ins.
“We had some families and students who were quite heightened and impacted by the fires, which resulted in emotional stress for them.
“With them coming back into school, getting back into routine and being in a comfortable surrounds with strong wellbeing measures in place, they were able to come back seamlessly.
“We had a lot of conversations around the dangers of the fires and ensuring kids know we’re a bushfire school which closes on catastrophic fire danger days and are reminded of those practices.”
Similar discussions were also happening at Lismore Primary School, with many farming families directly impacted across both communities.
“The Lismore Primary School students have made posters and thank-you cards for the awesome members of the CFA who have been protecting us and our local communities,” mental health and wellbeing leader Ellen McComb said.
“Last week some of the Lismore Primary School students waved and called out thank you to the CFA members that were making their way past the school on the way to battle the fires.”
Ms Fitzgerald said students have been happy to return to school, with work done within the school wellbeing space to support students.
“It’s an area they’ve grown in significantly over recent years,” she said.
“We have kids on farms on the other side of Derrinallum who weren’t impacted, but they were exceptionally grateful, there was still these types of things happening.
“They’re aware of the impact the CFA has on the local area.
“With a lot of our families having solid bushfire plans, we were able to spend some time reflecting on the importance of the CFA and volunteers in the community – which includes our staff and families – who are in the CFA.
“It’s nice for the kids to know they’ll protect them as much as they can.”
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