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 25 for training and educational materials or equipment. Commissioners from the Marine Rescue NSW, Surf Life Saving NSW, NSW RFS, NSW SES, and the VRA Rescue NSW will each nominate an outstanding individual for consideration of the scholarship. A Rotary NSW panel will determine the most deserving candidate.
2020 Finalists
Surf Life Saving NSW
THOMAS KENNEDY – Surf Lifesaver – Wamberal
Being a great athlete is a help to any rescuer. Bronze Medallion-holder Tom Kennedy was finalist in the Athlete of the Final for Surf Life Saving Central Coast and helped his Wamberal Surf Club patrol win Patrol of the Year last year. He joined the Wamberal Surf Club patrol as a volunteer in 2012 and three years ago became a professional lifeguard with Central Coast Council. During busy periods, Tom spends more than 50 hours a week on the beach and is on-call in the off-season, including an occasion last month when a person was swept off the beach and needed urgent medical attention. He has given patient support assistance at Gosford Hospital, sought higher qualifications in rescue work and has taught beach safety to children.
NSW Rural Fire Service
THEODORE SCHOLL – Training, Communications – Rappville Brigade
Studying for the Higher School Certificate can be demanding. Theodore Scholl, a member of the Rappville Brigade of the Rural Fire Service brigade in northern NSW, managed this in October last year while also helping his community cope with the bushfires raging through the local area. Noted for his altruism from at least the age of 12, Theodore dealt with the bushfire drama calmly and efficiently, utilising his local knowledge to assist precise communication. He greatly assisted his own family, refused to succumb to his own fatigue and distress, and dealt with traumatised and sometimes angry residents nearby. Showing a maturity beyond his years, he then threw his support into recovery work and became the public face of the service in the media.
NSW State Emergency Service
KATIE NEWCOMBE – Admin Officer – Harrington
Katie Newcombe works at an aged care facility, is a carer for her father and is studying to become a nurse, but in her community, she is hardly content to leave it at that. She is one of the first out when there is a call for the SES. In the summer bushfires that afflicted the north coast of the state, Katie went on duty as a member of the Harrington SES Unit, assisting at Fire Control Headquarters at Wauchope and getting food and equipment out to the firefighters. During a blaze that threatened an area between Forster and Taree, Katie helped in evacuation notification and in a dangerous developing situation took a leadership role to direct fellow SES members to safety.
NSW Volunteer Rescue Association
LUKE WANGMAN – Rescue Operator, Maintenance – Charmhaven / Central Coast
Six-and-a- half-years in the Australian Defence Force can be guaranteed to give a man practice and skills. Luke Wangmann, who finished his career as a Sapper with a Combat Engineer unit in Darwin, demonstrates that. His secondary role as Troop Maintenance Manager has suited him to his new role as a member of the VRA Central Coast, which he joined two years ago. Luke, who is now studying with the intent to become a Paramedic, has gone on approximately 30 call-outs a month, handling a variety of emergencies such as road crashes, industrial accidents and trapped animals. He participates in community events to support the squad and recently went for two weeks to Bega and Narooma to assist in the bushfire emergency. Luke is a valued member of the squad and community