Hill Top celebrates 'everyday heroes' on Rural Fire Service mural

That sentiment has always been there, but has increased since two of the brigade's longest serving volunteers have been painted on the outside.

The faces of Brian Coates and John Matters greet all of those who look.

"It's an honour, no doubt about that," Brian said.

The pair have more than 150 years of volunteering between them and have helped fight fires, assisted with floods and storms, hazard reductions, searched for people in the bush and trained others.

They also helped build the brigade's first tin shed station, the Hill Top tennis courts, and raised funds and built the most current one in the heart of the village.

John joined a local brigade in the 1950s when he was 11 years old, and has not only volunteered across the Highlands and NSW, but also interstate.

"It's a family and you make friends not only in your village, but I've got friends I've made contact with years ago," he said.

Jamberoo artist Samuel Hall photographed and painted them both, and said as he painted the mural, people in the community have thanked him and some have been teary.

Some have even offered him drinks while he has worked and it took 74 hours to complete.

"I felt really attracted to this story, it's a beautiful story and they're lovely guys," he said.

The artist also painted a mural on the Hill Top Village Store as part of the Paint the Town initiative, with both representing rejuvination following the 2019/20 bushfires.

"I want to drive into local communities and find everyday heroes and tell their stories through my art," he said.

People across the village gathered to celebrate the art on February 16.

A QR code will be displayed near the mural in the next week to provide more information about the project, but also raise funds for the RFS.

"I am happy this can provide not only pride for this little town, but raise funds and represent the area," Mr Hall said.

Hill Top RFS captain and Brian's son Ian Coates, said when the brigade was approached about the mural, it was hard to choose who should be depicted, but they both represented the brigade.

John and Brian were the first people he called when he was told to make a plan for the 2019/20 bushfires, he said.

"They've been involved in every single campaign since the 40s," he said, which was prior to the RFS being formed.

The mural was funded by the Black Summer Bushfire Grant.