Community
23 October, 2026
Saluting our first responders with a picnic
The Southern Highlands will pay tribute to our first responders and emergency services personnel with a 'Big Spring Picnic' at the Bong Bong Racecourse this Saturday morning from 11am.
The Southern Highlands will pay tribute to our first responders and emergency services personnel with a 'Big Spring Picnic' at the Bong Bong Racecourse this Saturday morning from 11am.
It is being hosted by the Angels in Our Town initiative run by Antoinette Sampson and her husband Rob and their team.
Throughout it's five year history, Angels in Our Town has hosted it's annual 'Thank You' parade up Bong Bong St in Bowral, a family concert in Corbett Gardens and the Angel Cup Charity Golf Day, but this year Mrs Sampson said she wanted to thank our first responders by doing something different this year.
The 'Big Spring Picnic' will be a free, family-friendly celebration honouring the first responders, emergency services, service organisations and volunteers of the Southern Highlands.
A Recognition Ceremony will include speeches from confirmed attendees including the Federal Member for Whitlam Carol Berry and Member for Wollondilly, Judy Hannan.
"We found in previous years that the parades were a big thing for our first responders, and this year we wanted to do something specifically for them," Mrs Sampson told The Southern Wire.
"By allowing them to come with their families and just have a relaxing time with a picnic blanket and do some fun activities together rather than feel alone, and it also boosts mental health."
Activities on offer at the picnic include:
- The Spring Picnic Races – a race carnival featuring an egg & spoon race, sack race, a fireman’s lift/piggyback race for parents and children, and a run in children’s , men and women’s divisions;
- A tug – of war tournament culminating in a community teams showdown;
- The Pooch Parade – a dress parade and competition where every pup in the Highlands is invited to strut past the judges, from ‘pampered poodles’ to proud mixed breeds (dogs must stay on a lead);
- Live entertainment with members of the Highlands Theatre Group, performances from the Highlands School of Performing Arts (THSPA) and live music from Moss Vale’s Madeline Beckett (who starred on ‘The Voice’);
- Interactive emergency service displays featuring Fire and Rescue NSW, the State Emergency Service (SES) appliances alongside antique engines from the Berrima District Old Machinery Club;
- A kids zone (hosted by Frensham) including pony rides, face painting and lawn games; and also
- A delicious BBQ as well as an ice cream van and coffee van.
"I hope this is the beginning of something lovely for the Southern Highlands," Mrs Sampson said.
Mrs Sampson says that more than 300 registrations to the event have already been recieved and that they are expecting in excess of over 500 guests this Saturday, with interest from the NSW RFS, SES, Fire & Rescue NSW, Australian Red Cross and even the CWA.
Parking will also be free onsite.
The event is free and to register your interest, visit the link at https://www.angelsinourtown.org.au/big-spring-picnic.
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