I couldn't find the story but I liked this one:
Sydney cheers for 5000 fire heroes
EVEN the threat of a downpour couldn't dampen the spirits of the state's Black Christmas bushfire heroes or the 60,000 grateful people who turned out to cheer them through the streets of Sydney yesterday. "The weather bureau might have predicted rain, but somebody forgot to tell them the fireys were coming to town," said Hastings fire crew leader Alex Pursehouse, who delighted in revving up the crowd as he marched down George St under blue sunny skies.
Tens of thousands lined the streets to cheer on the 5000 heroes who saved NSW from the Black Christmas fires.
Marching 10 abreast from The Rocks to Town Hall, members of the Rural Fire Service, NSW Fire Brigade, Community Fire Units, State Emergency Service, National Parks and Wildlife and other agencies acknowledged the cheers and thanks of the crowd.
As early as 8am, firefighters gathered at Circular Quay, with many beginning their big day with a celebratory schooner or three.
Holding Hazelbrook team mascot Woody Woodpecker, firefighter Ian Woodham said the parade would provide one good memory of the Christmas bushfire campaign.
"It was all a blur basically for three weeks, like we were on automatic pilot," he said.
"I came out of it a bit fitter actually," joked his crewmate Dave Coultas.
It was a family day for the Hornsby brigade with dads Barrie Roache, Jim Fahey and Ian Burnet marching alongside their firefighting children Iain, Matt and Alexandra.
"You worry a bit about your daughter when she's out there, but you know they've got good training and you get on with the job," Mr Burnet said.
As the firefighters prepared to march, a tug sprayed three water jets skyward. And when they moved out, the crowd started to clap, cheer, scream and shout.
"We love you fireys", "great job, love ya work", "well done all" and "Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi" they yelled.
Office workers threw shredded paper and packaging out of their windows.
Along the parade route, people's mobile phones read "Thanks Fireys" instead of "City CBD".
"I really love the firemen," said Mitchell Boesen, 4, who had asked mum Jenny if he and sister Emily, 1, could come to the parade.
Watching the Blue Mountains brigade march by was proud Sutherland resident Narelle Perl. Her brother Gary Chapman only qualified as a firefighter a week before Christmas.
Lord Mayor Frank Sartor presented RFS Commissioner Phil Koperberg with the keys to the city at Town Hall.