The RFS Commissioner doesn’t care and Minister, Stuart Ayres isn’t interested.
The Volunteers have spoken loudly about the removal of access to purchasing the Blue Shirts that they have worn for years. Earlier this year the RFS stopped another group from selling the Blue Shirts, therefore the Volunteers could no longer could buy them. In October 2009, The RFS Commissioner Fitzsimmons stated: I will not be banning Volunteers from wearing Blue Drill Shirts, particularly when Volunteers have funded these themselves.
It appears to be an intentional move by the RFS to halt the sale of the blue shirts so that Volunteers will eventually run out of them, thus forcing them to wear the much despised Yellow Shirt.
A Facebook page was established which quickly drew the support of many from across NSW. The social media site included a vast array of pictures and text that clearly defined the views of the Volunteers. www.facebook.com/bringbacktheblue
Photo: Bring Back the Blue Shirts Facebook Cover Photo
On August 28th this year the VFFA wrote on behalf of our members that happen to be constituents of the Member for Penrith, the Hon. Stuart Ayres, a request for help to reinstate the Blue Shirts. Stuart Ayres also happens to be the Minister for Police, the Minister for Emergency Services, the Minister for Sport and Recreation, and the Minister assisting the Premier on Western Sydney!
We sought his intervention on behalf of our members but after two months, he still ignored the call. We wrote him again on November 7th giving him a final seven days to respond but again, nothing. It is apparent that with all of Mr Ayres portfolios, he clearly hasn’t got time for us as Volunteers which is a shame because at a meeting he held with the VFFA Executive back on July 10th 2014, he told us: I’m a man of Action!
If your upset at the loss of the Blue Shirt, as so many clearly are, we strongly urge you to write, email and phone your elected Member of Parliament to express your disappointment at the removal of the Blue Shirt and demand action. Tell them just how angry you are.
One thing to remember, there’s a State Election on March 15th 2015 so we’re sure you’ll get a response.