In 2018, in conjunction with the Rotary Clubs & Districts of NSW, The Hon Troy Grant MP, former Minister for Emergency Services announced the creation of a $1,000 Dorothy Hennessy Emergency Services Youth scholarship for a volunteer aged up to 21 for training and educational materials or equipment. Commissioners from the NSW SES, NSW RFS, Marine Rescue NSW and the NSW Volunteer Rescue Association will each nominate an outstanding individual for consideration of the scholarship. A Rotary NSW panel will determine the most deserving candidate.
2019 Finalists
ALYSSA GRADY – Rural Fire Service – Wollongong
No emergency service can continue indefinitely without the active encouragement of young people and Alyssa Grady, Captain with the Illawarra Rural Fire Service Cadet Brigade, based in Wollongong, has ensured that young people in her part of the world are very active and aware. She has trained and developed young people over the last three years. The Illawarra RFS Cadets have performed well at the Australian National Cadet Championships and the NSW Rural Fire Service State Championships. Over the last two years, Alyssa has assisted the NSW Rural Fire Service at the Camden Show and taken young children in hand to make them very fire conscious, a passionate commitment that has produced much favourable comment.
JESSICA PENGILLEY – Volunteer Rescue Association – Dubbo
Jessica Pengilley at 19 years of age has done more than might be expected of a girl of her age, including playing in the State Netball competition, coaching Gymnastics with PCYC, becoming qualified in Early Childhood Education and Care and now assisting in the administration of a Correctional Centre. But it is in helping in life and death situations, which she has for the past two years with the Volunteer Rescue Association at Dubbo Rescue Squad, that she seems to have come into her own. She has been to Search and Rescues, completed extensive road crash training scenarios, provided traffic control and first aid support. She seeks now to do a course to enhance her ability to work with children and families who have experienced trauma.
FRED POLLOCK – State Emergency Service – Manly
Voted Most Proactive Member (2016), Fred Pollock has contributed tirelessly at numerous searches, storm and flood events since joining SES Manly in 2015. He works relentlessly to improve his skills by taking initiative to attend state-wide training, learning with his family, skilled SES members and support workers to combat his mild intellectual disability. Fred regularly promotes householder preparedness and SES volunteering at major events. He has volunteered at a council childcare and is a Special Olympics Athlete who won bronze medals at two National Games for basketball. Fred advocates for greater inclusivity within the SES and community and has used his positions as a school captain and Athlete Leader to improve sporting and leadership opportunities for young people with disability.