Congratulations to all Winners – thank you for your Service Above Self
Rotary NSW Emergency Services Officer of the Year
(in a paid capacity)
NSW AMBULANCE – COMMUNITY AWARD WINNER
CAROL BOND – Paramedic Specialist – Bulli
Carol joined the NSW Ambulance in 1987 and commits vast amounts of time and energy into supporting various community groups such as: amateur swimming, surf lifesaving, The Royal NSW Institute for Deaf and Blind Children, Neighbourhood Watch and Corrimal East Public School. Carol has continually served above and beyond the call of her normal duties, both within and outside the NSW Ambulance Service; all whilst being a full-time shift working mother with on-call duties. Her ethical behaviour and integrity are paramount, not just as a Paramedic, but in her personal life as well – Carol believes that integrity is what you do when no one else is.
Rotary NSW Emergency Services Officer of the Year
(in a volunteer capacity)
NSW STATE EMERGENCY SERVICE – COMMUNITY AWARD WINNER
SHANNON CROFTON – Flood Rescue Officer – Sydney South Region
Shannon has volunteered with the NSW SES since 1989 and during this time has become one of the world leading experts in floods and flood rescue. His passion for preparedness and education has been integral to the development of flood rescue capabilities within the NSW SES and other emergency services. A Churchill Fellowship recipient in 2011, he studied the use of helicopters in flood rescue and is the only Australian to receive the prestigious Higgins and Langley Award for Outstanding Achievement in Flood and Swiftwater Rescue. He has received two bravery awards and is also a paid firefighter with Fire and Rescue NSW.
FIRE & RESCUE NSW – COMMUNITY AWARD WINNER
BRENDAN HURLEY – Station Officer – Liverpool
Station Officer Brendan Hurley went above and beyond the call of duty as the Humanitarian Operations Manager during the South Sudan refugee response. Working with the international non-government organisation, Save the Children International, Brendan led the overall co-ordination of the three emergency response teams in separate locations, established the implementation of effective structures including the implementation of accurate tracking mechanisms, and spearheaded Fundraising activities including the securing of additional funds for the Regional South Sudanese Refugee Response. Brendan’s vast skill and experience will continue to assist both the community and the Operational Capability Directorate within Fire & Rescue NSW.
MARINE RESCUE NSW – COMMUNITY AWARD WINNER
ERYL THOMAS – Volunteer – Port Stephens
Eryl has served the boating community since 1999 in the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol and Marine Rescue NSW. He has undertaken hundreds of rescue missions, serving more than 10,000 hours of duty as the vessel skipper or crew member. He was awarded a Commissioner’s Commendation for his role in the rescue of the crew of sinking vessel, Tradewinds. Eryl currently serves as the Marine Rescue Port Stephens Administration Officer and Engineer. He is also a qualified Watch Officer, contributing 3,500 hours to radio duty, including taking on the demanding overnight shift. Always willing to share his knowledge, Eryl truly puts service above self.
NSW RURAL FIRE SERVICE – COMMUNITY AWARD WINNER
JEFFREY LUKE – Brigade Captain – Woolgoolga – Coffs Harbour District
Jeffrey Luke joined Woolgoolga RFB in 2008, having already been a member of the RFS for 20 years; the brigade was dysfunctional and had lost the confidence of the community. Jeff currently holds the position of Captain. Jeff spent time rebuilding community support for the brigade having grown the brigade’s active membership to 13 members over several years. During his career Jeff has volunteered his time to serve as a fire fighter in the Canberra Fires, the Sydney storm damage and Sydney fires, the 2009 Victoria fires, & 2014 South Australian fires. Jeff is a worthy candidate of this award.
NSW VOLUNTEER RESCUE ASSOCIATION – COMMUNITY AWARD WINNER
RODNEY COOMBES – Captain – Coonabarabran
Captain Rodney Coombes joined VRA in 2008. Primality through Rod’s efforts, his unit recently secured a set of “New Technology Cutters” (otherwise known as the jaws of life) One of the biggest testaments to Rod’s ”Service Above Self” work ethic was the ‘new shed’ project which was designed and built using his own equipment and supplies. Rod was also was one of the key people who spent a large amount of time writing to Government and organising meetings with: national, state & local government MPs in a bid to get a grant(s) to get the necessary funds to carry out the project.