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@punch*drunk wrote:

I might be reading different news reports, but I'm pretty sure he didnt go around publicising this. There were photos taken by someone else and shared on social media.

 

 

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From the Sarah's link on the other thread:

Trent  Dowling, who is the captain of the Davidson NSW rural fire brigade, yesterday slammed critics of Mr Abbott, saying he often pulled more than his own weight when on patrol and had been a loyal volunteer for more than ten years.

"I think it's all just complete rubbish and it is 100 per cent disrespectful to any volunteer out there helping to battle the fire," Mr Dowling told News Corp from the fire front yesterday.

"He is just a normal guy doing what he always does with us. People should just leave it alone as it's wearing pretty thin."

Mr Abbott has faced criticism since he joined his local fire service for a 14-hour night shift on Saturday to help with back burning near Bilpin in the NSW Blue Mountains.

His service was not publicised by his media office and they did not issue a statement until several blurry photos appeared on social media.

Mr Dowling said the Prime Minister had earned the respect of his local fire crew and had been a loyal volunteer since he first joined in October 2000.

He said Mr Abbott had even been appointed deputy captain two years in a row but had to step down from the duties when he became opposition leader in 2009.

"That wasn't because he didn't want that position, it was simply because with his extra workload he would be away from home more often," Mr Dowling said.

"Tony is an extremely fit guy and pulls his weight out there; in fact he often pulls more than his own weight.

"He has the total respect of the members and wasn't there for a photo opportunity."

Mr Dowling said many of the Davidson crew were "really p----- off" that Mr Abbott was facing criticism and his service was of such interest to the media.

"He is just one normal person doing what he always does. We've got people here in the canteen who are working from 4am till after 5pm just to feed our people," he said.

"We should be praising and talking about our back of house heroes, not unnecessarily dumping a whole lot of criticism on one guy who is just helping out."