Australian firefighter Ricky Smith chatted with #Powerjournalist Markos Papadatos about helping multiple charities with the 2025 Australian Firefighters Calendar.
Andrew Bernstein once said: “Nothing is given to man on earth — struggle is built into the nature of life, and conflict is possible — the hero is the man who lets no obstacle prevent him from pursuing the values he has chosen.” This quote applies to Aussie fireman Ricky Smith, 35.
From its humble beginnings, The Australian Firefighters Calendar was established in 1993 to support the Children’s Hospital Foundation, providing funds for research into childhood burns. Now in its 32nd year, The Australian Firefighters Calendar has raised over $3.45 million for various charities.
Although he lives in the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, he still works in Brisbane. “This marks my fourth year with the calendar, and my eighth year as a firefighter,” he admitted.
On being a part of the 2025 Australian Firefighters Calendar, he said, “It has been very good. I might have not have been as fit as normal because I had a couple of injuries throughout the year, but it was good fun. We were a great group this year.”
“Working with David Rogers is always great. He is such a good guy to work with, and he loves to help people. David is always helping out charities,” he added.
Aiding citizens and animals affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton in Florida
This year, the Australian Firefighters Calendar is supporting American citizens and animals affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton in Florida. Through their partnership with Greater Good Charities, they are donating funds to provide immediate relief and aid to impacted communities. “Supporting those charities is really neat,” he said. “Hopefully, we will able to support the relief efforts for the Los Angeles bushfires this year.”
This collaboration aims to deliver essential resources, such as food, shelter, and medical assistance, to those in need, helping families rebuild their lives after the devastation of the hurricane.
On his New Year’s resolutions, he shared, “Just to be healthy and happy, to be honest, whatever that means.” “I want to keep being a firefighter and to keep helping people,” he said. “I want to keep exercising and to keep my body moving as much as I can. We will see what that brings.”
“I am excited about next year’s calendar. We will starting shooting it in March,” he foreshadowed. “It’ll be good; it’ll be exciting.”
On the title of the current chapter of his life, he revealed, “2025 is a year of thriving. I am looking forward to having a wholesome year and doing things for me… feeling happy, healthy, and fit.”
Regarding his favorite motto to live by, he disclosed, “Choose your hard!” “That’s a motto I’ve been thinking of a lot lately,” he admitted.
On the best advice that he has ever been given, he shared, “Be nice to your mother; be nice to everyone. You never know what other people are going through, so be nice to them.”
On the best thing about being his age, he remarked, “You are still young enough to do things and travel and do fun things, and you are old enough, to have a career behind you, have some money, and settle down a little bit more. I think it’s a good age.”
His superpower of choice would still be “to fly.” “That would be cool,” he noted.
For young and emerging firefighters, he encouraged them “to keep fit, keep healthy, and do study.” “Learn from the older guys, and keep learning. Every day is a school day; you never stop learning.”
“Personally, I love the firefighting profession since it allows me to help people, and it allows me to keep active and I enjoy the adrenaline rush, he acknowledged.
Smith defined success as being happy and content in life.
For fans, he concluded about the Australian Firefighters Calendar, “Many thanks to the fans for supporting it. All the proceeds go to great causes and great charities. I hope they keep supporting it… it means a lot to us! It is amazing to see the love and support we get from around the world.”
To learn more about the 2025 Australian Firefighters Calendar, check out the official website, and follow its Instagram page.
