There aren’t enough hours in a day for Darryl Brady.

At 71, Moree’s best-loved volunteer, larrikin and all-round good bloke should be slowing down and taking his lot in life a little easier, but he’s never been busier.

Darryl is an active volunteer firefighter with NSW Rural Fire Service, Moree RSL sub-branch committeeman and a member of the north-west branch of the National Servicemen’s Association.

The weekend before Christmas, he was out and about with local Rural Fire Service volunteers, distributing lollies and treats to hundreds of kids around the streets of Moree as part of the annual Santa Run.

During winter, Darryl helps man the gate at Moree Boars’ home games as well as the annual Moree Show each April.

He can also be found at the Moree Markets every month, raising money at a trash ‘n’ treasure stall for the Moree Regional Military Museum and RSL sub-branch.

Surprisingly, Darryl isn’t a signed-up member of Moree SES, but has attended every flood event in Moree in recent years.

He’s filled sandbags, moved furniture to higher ground and offered help, guidance, kind words and assistance to flood-affected residents.

Darryl is also a member of Moree Support Fire Brigade and attends schools across the region to educate children about fire safety.

In 2016, he volunteered at all Moree Relay for Life fundraising events and helped organise the National Servicemen reunion, held in Moree in 2017.

But in typical Darryl Brady style, this humble hometown hero plays down his vital role in the community.

“There are plenty of good people who do a lot more than I do, but I do enjoy helping the community and helping people in general,” he said.

“If I can make somebody smile, then I’m happy. There are too many bad-news stories in this world, and there’s absolutely no reason to add to them or make them worse. I’ll keep doing what I’m doing until I can’t do it anymore.”

In 2020, as a volunteer firefighter, Darry attended fires on 28 of the 30 days in November.

He received certificates of service and bushfire citations for his selfless assistance during what is now documented as the worst fire season recorded in Australia.

One of Darryl’s most cherished mementos from that horrific season is a letter of thanks from then-NSW Premier, Gladys Berejiklian.

“You should be incredibly proud of the part you played in protecting your community when it needed you most. Your compassion, courage and generosity have earned you a special place in the history of our State,” Ms Berejiklian wrote.

Darryl was also recognised by NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Rob Rogers for his assistance during the unprecedented season, later known as Australia’s Black Summer.

“The bush fire season was an extreme event where members went to extraordinary lengths to protect lives, and as many home and livelihoods as possible,” Mr Rogers said.

In 2023, Darryl was afforded the inaugural Moree RSL sub-branch Member of the Year award.

Sub-branch president Roger Butler said the choice was unanimous.

“Darryl attends meetings regularly. He’s involved in discussion and has positive input on matters of importance, but Darryl’s real workload has been between meetings, raising money and awareness,” Mr Butler said.

When not attending fires or selling bric-a-brac and raffle tickets, Darryl is a driving force behind the establishment of the Moree RSL Regional Military Museum in the former town library building on Balo Street.

Museum trustee, John Tramby, said the biggest problem the museum committee faces is convincing Darryl to slow down.

“Seriously, we knock up trying to keep up with him,” Mr Tramby laughs.

“He’s the first person at the markets, before anyone else gets there. He organises our stall and also helps council staff set up.”

Afterwards, Darryl spends the morning selling donated goods and apparel to raise money for the museum.

“After that, he helps everyone pack up and is the last to leave,” Mr Tramby said.

When Darryl is not at the Moree Markets raising money for the museum and sub-branch, he’s driving around the district collecting donated goods to sell at the next market day.

“The only time Darry has not turned up at the Moree Markets is when he’s on a fire call – he’s a wonderful, amazing and brilliant man,” Mr Tramby said.

“Darryl is also the greatest raffle ticket salesman you’ll ever see, because he knows just about everyone in Moree. He’s instrumental in raising a lot of money for our museum as well as the RSL.

“Darryl sells badges on the days leading up to ANZAC Day, and also does the same for Legacy and Remembrance Day.

“He wants to do more raffles and more barbecues and we’ve been offered the opportunities to do this at various business locations. Darryl is keen to go, but we simply can’t keep up with him.”

Mr Tramby said Darryl’s unsung, selfless contributions to the Moree district largely go unnoticed.

“I seriously don’t think there’s a time when Darry Brady stops doing things for the Moree community,” he said.

“He was involved for many years in voluntarily driving people to Tamworth for medical appointments and that sort of thing. He delivers newspapers to Whiddon nursing home every day and he’s been in the rural fire service since he retired from the council.

“In 2023, he attended 450 call-outs – not bad for a man of his age,” Mr Tramby said.

“There’s not much Darryl Brady doesn’t do.”

Apart from his tireless fundraising schedule, raffle ticket drives and commitment to Moree, Darryl is well-known for his quick-wit and ability to string a few sentences together.

He’s a master story-teller, can tell a half-decent ‘dad joke’, and loves nothing better than a good yarn over a cup of coffee with good people.

“It’s often said some people are inoculated with a gramophone needle, and Darryl certainly fits that description,” Mr Tramby chuckled.

Darryl has been busy this year on fire and accident call-outs.

Moree Rural Fire Service operations manager, Renee McMillan, said Darryl is an invaluable local brigade member.

“Darryl has attended more than 110 incidents this year, including grass and bushfires, structure fires, and assisted ambulance at motor vehicle accidents,” Ms McMillan said.

“That does not include the numerous additional events he’s attended for community education and engagement.

“He was also a very big part of the Santa Run organising group, and collected the majority of donations.

“Darryl is one of our most reliable volunteers. He is always willing to help, and always does it with a smile,” she said.

Darryl retired from Moree Plains Shire Council in 2010 after more than 20 years’ service.

He married Maree Norman in 1976 and they have three children – Andrew, Adam and Theresa.

Adam, an underground miner, is a Queensland Mines Rescue Service brigade member and responder to all underground emergency events in Queensland. His wife, Leonie, is a Queensland Emergency Services Cadets’ trainer.

Fittingly, their 15-year-old daughter, Hannah, is a member of the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services.

“Hannah goes out and does hazard reductions and is learning all aspects of what emergency services do when they’re required. She is also considering joining military service. I am extremely proud of her – I couldn’t push my chest out any further if I tried,” Darryl smiled.

Arguably, Darryl’s crowning achievement during a lifetime of volunteering and giving was being named Volunteer of the Year at the Moree Plains Shire Council Australia Day awards ceremony in 2021.

“Winning that award was something that made me realise I was doing something worthwhile for the community. To me, it was very undeserving, but I felt incredibly honoured to be recognised in that way,” Darryl said.

“I would never have achieved anything or been able to appreciate where I stand in the community without the support and help of the wonderful people of Moree.

“I owe the people of this great town much more than I can ever give back. I thank them for their generosity, especially all the help and donations we’ve received as we anticipate the official opening ceremony of our military museum early in the new year.

“We had a ‘soft’ opening in July, and we’re hoping to get some special guests for the official grand opening in 2025,” he said.

Words and Images: Bill Poulos

(some images supplied)