A bonfire provides more than just a bit of warmth – it gives people an excuse to get together for a good cause.

That was the case at Rockleigh on Sunday, as about 50 people disregarded the bracing cold around a burning stump beside the old school house.

Officially, the annual neighbour muster was a fundraiser and connection-building exercise for the Rockleigh CFS Support Group, which supplies the local Country Fire Service brigade with the equipment its volunteers use to keep locals safe.

Unofficially, it was one of the social events of the year.