Hume Livestock Health and Pest Authority (LHPA) staff were on high alert and fearing the worst during this year's January bushfires.
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Veterinarians and rangers attended a number of bushfires on properties at Big Springs, Oura, Wokolena, Mates Gully, Ournie and Jugiong.
Burnt stock were assessed with approximately 2500 sheep either directly killed in the fires or subsequently destroyed.
"The efforts of our staff assisting affected landholders were outstanding," said Ray Willis, General Manager of the Hume LHPA.
"I think people tend to forget that once the fire has passed the worst job is the assessment of fire affected stock with those badly affected being destroyed and buried on the properties".
LHPAs work in emergency response is not always recognised and many people don't realise that it is one of the roles of the LHPA in conjunction with the Department of Primary Industries (DPI).
"The staff just consider it as part of their job, but I know after talking to affected landholders that they can't praise the efforts of our staff enough," said Mr Willis.
Hume LHPA staff were recognised with a presentation of a certificate of appreciation by the general manager on behalf of the Hon Katrina Hodgkinson, NSW Minister for Primary Industries.
"It proves that the staff of LHPA are well placed to transition to Local Land Services," said Mr Willis.
From January 2014, Local Land Services will deliver functions currently provided by LHPAs, Catchment Management Authorities and agriculture advisory services of Agriculture NSW, part of NSW DPI.