There wasn’t a dry eye at the funeral of volunteer firefighters and young dads Andrew O’Dwyer and Geoffrey Keaton after their truck rolled off the road and hit a fallen tree during Austalia’s worst bushfire season.
But Mr O’Dwyer’s daughter Charlotte managed to share a smile with Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Saturday as she clambered over fire engine red play equipment built as a memorial in her brave father’s honour.
A father of two daughters himself, Mr Morrison helped the adorable toddler down from the jungle gym so she could receive a pink rose from Horsley Park RFS captain Darren Nation.
A crowd of people made their way to Buxton, in south-west Sydney, on a cloudy Saturday morning to celebrate the lives of O’Dwyer and Keaton.
Mr Morrison was on hand to formally open the commemorative park and children’s playground in honour of the two men who were tragically killed on December 19 last year.
Speaking at the event, Australia’s PM said he hoped today may be a ‘light of glory’ amidst the feelings of sadness and overwhelming grief felt by so many.
Volunteer firefighter Andrew O’Dwyer (pictured with his daughter Charlotte) tragically died last December
Prime Minister Scott Morrison (pictured right) helps Charlotte O’Dwyer, the daughter of Andrew O’Dwyer, from a playground fire truck dedicated to her father
Prime Minister Scott Morrison inspects the playground fire truck (pictured above) named in memory of Andrew O’Dwyer, who tragically died last December when he was fighting a fire
Horsley Park RFS captain Darren Nation (pictured left) holds Charlotte O’Dwyer and chats with Melissa O’Dwyer, the wife of Andrew O’Dwyer, who died last year near Buxton
‘Hopefully the families can feel the presence of Andrew and Geoffrey here today,’ he said.
‘Australian’s will never forget the efforts of all our firefighters in what is now known as the Black Summer bushfires.’
At the time of their passing, the Prime Minister said Mr O’Dwyer and Mr Keaton will forever be remembered as our nation’s heroes.
‘They were bravely defending their communities with an unmatched spirit and a dedication that will forever set them apart amongst our most courageous Australians,’ he said in a statement.
‘Their sacrifice and service saving lives and saving properties will never be forgotten.’
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian was also on hand to pay her respects on Saturday.
Both men, who were also proud fathers, were volunteer members of the Horsley Park Rural Fire Service brigade.
At the time of their passing, they were battling a fierce blaze, as they had done so at every available opportunity for over a decade.
Just hours before his death last year, Mr O’Dwyer – a father-of-three – shared a video of him and a colleague battling a blaze.
Mr Keaton had risen to the role of deputy captain after joining the Horsley Park RFS brigade in 2006.
Geoffrey Keaton, 32, (pictured above) who was killed when his fire truck crashed whilst battling bushfires on December 19
Prime Minister Scott Morrison (pictured left) embraces Horsley Park RFS captain Darren Nation at the Memorial Park on Saturday
Charlotte O’Dwyer (pictured left) the daughter of Andrew O’Dwyer, plays on the fire truck named in memory of her father
Megan Keaton, (pictured left) the wife of Geoffrey Keaton, receives a gift from RFS Commissioner Rob Rogers on Saturday
Both Mr O’Dwyer and Mr Keaton – who had a son – were less than a week out from celebrating Christmas with their families before tragedy struck.
Mr Keaton has a son, Harvey, with his partner Megan, and Mr O’Dwyer had a daughter, Charlotte, with his partner Melissa.
On the night of Mr Keaton’s death, his father John was fighting a mega blaze in Gospers Mountain northwest of Sydney – while his son was at the Green Wattle Creek Fire.
Rural Fire Service commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said both men were modern day heroes.
‘There is a definition of hero out there and these two absolutely line up to it and we owe it to honour them and remember them,’ he said.
‘They were ordinary, everyday individuals – like you and I – that go out and simply want to serve and protect and make a difference in their local community.
‘They don’t ever go out in the knowledge that they might not come home from that shift.’
Prime Minister Scott Morrison lays a wreath at the memorial stone on Saturday at Buxton, in Sydney’s south west
Prime Minister Scott Morrison bumps elbows with NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian on Saturday at the memorial opening
RFS fire fighting tankers on Saturday (pictured above) – the children’s playground at the Memorial Park is dedicated to the memory of RFS volunteers Andrew O’Dwyer and Geoff Keaton who were killed in the line of duty last December
Rural Fire Service Buxton volunteers (pictured above) arrive for the Buxton RFS Memorial Opening on Saturday in south-west Sydney
Melissa O’Dwyer, (pictured right) the wife of Darren O’Dwyer, participates in an aboriginal smoking ceremony at the Memorial Opening on Saturday
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