As part of National Volunteers Week, Adelaide key forward Darcy Fogarty has reflected on his experience with a bushfire on his family’s property in Lucindale in the state’s South-East in December 2019, recounting his gratitude for the work of Country Fire Service (CFS) volunteers.  

The 26-year-old was in Robe, on SA’s Limestone Coast, preparing for New Year’s celebrations with his stepbrother Tom, when a phone call came through from his mum who was on the family farm facing a fast-approaching fire front. 

“I remember it was a dry day and it was pretty windy, so obviously not ideal conditions. We had to race back to the farm and she was pretty roaring by then,” Fogarty said.  

“We raced back thinking that we were going to save the world, but we were 19 and really had no clue what was going on. 

“We were driving a water tank around and trying to put out spot fires and just stay out of the way as much as we could. 

“It was obviously my first experience being out there in that sort of environment and it was eye-opening. So, it's given me a lot more appreciation for what the volunteers do and how much the CFS and all the emergency services put their lives at risk.

“It was quite special to see them all working together to save a community.”

With National Volunteers Week running from 18-24 May 2026, Fogarty has taken the opportunity to pay tribute to the impact volunteers have in communities.

“We didn't do a lot, the volunteers and the CFS crew were doing the brunt work, which is what saved a fair bit of the joint,” he said.   

“It's pretty special what they do and how much they risk. They’re incredibly selfless to put themselves in danger and into moments where people really rely on them.

“I’ve been lucky growing up in Lucindale, which has a great sense of community and there's a lot of volunteers there that just put the boots on and get to work and help everyone. 

“Volunteers are so important for communities like Lucindale and so many others.”

 The bushfire destroyed approximately 2,500 acres of the family farm, but the family home was spared. 

One thing that has stuck with Fogarty is the importance of paying attention to the warning systems and trained workers when exposed to an emergency such as a fire.   

“It's something that I wasn't really prepared for going into. I didn't really understand the severity of it so it definitely opened my eyes and it's made me a lot more aware of them (bushfires) and a lot more cautious, especially now having a joint up in the hills,” he said. 

“If one comes roaring through again, I don't think I'll be hanging around for too long because they're pretty scary and the best thing is just to get out of the way and let the people who know what they're doing try and get it under control and maintain it.”

The Crows will once again host an Emergency Services Match to honour CFS volunteers and all of the state’s emergency service heroes encompassing the Metropolitan Fire Service, State Emergency Services, SA Police, SA Ambulance Services and CFS at the Round 15 match against Melbourne on Saturday, June 20. 

The Club will host more than 3000 frontline workers and volunteers on the day, providing a chance to thank them as well as a platform for people to either sign up as a volunteer or consider a new career.  

“I think all of our emergency services do a mountain of work and they're really underappreciated for the work that they do,” Fogarty said.  

“It’s a privilege to be able to go out there for our Emergency Services Match and show our appreciation and support for them and give them some recognition for all that they do.

“We love what they do and we appreciate what they do. So, it’s a great opportunity to say thank you.”