News

NSW State Emergency Service (NSW SES) volunteers, with a combined service of 185 years to the Southwest Slopes region, have been awarded for diligent commitment to their communities.

Southern Zone Commander, Chief Superintendent Ben Pickup joined nine volunteers on April 27 to celebrate their long service achievements.

Among them is Jon and Leanne Gregory, who have both been a part of the Service for three decades, having joined together with a passion for giving back. Jon also holds and Emergency Service Medal, awarded to him in 2013.

“Helping the community is what drives us,” Mrs Gregory, who is the Tumut Unit Commander, said.

“A memorable event for me as a volunteer was when Tumut flooded and both Jon and I were up monitoring the flood levels throughout the night before attending the Unit to assist the community.

“We had to get a hotel in town for the night because we couldn’t get back home through the flood.”

Carla Lebreton from the NSW SES Cootamundra Unit was also recognised for 30 years of volunteer service with the SES.

Tumut’s Barry Brunsdon was awarded the National Medal, and a 15-year long service award. During his time with the Service, Barry has been Unit Commander and involved with vertical rescue and alpine search and rescue tasks.

“Some of the road crash rescues have been rewarding as well, because we have got the people out and they have recovered. Sometimes they aren’t the nicest jobs to attend, but when you find out they’ve recuperated, it’s a good feeling,” he said.

Meanwhile, 10-year service medals were given to Anthea Cooper, Gary Wilson and Grant Duncan from the Gundagai Unit, Chris Laurence from Cootamundra, David Crooks from Murrumbidgee Capability Unit, Diane Metcalf and Patrick Mansfield from Tumbarumba, and Tumut’s Peter Thompson.

NSW Minister for Emergency Services, Jihad Dib congratulated the award recipients.

“It speaks volumes of a person who would volunteer their time to help others, especially for such a prolonged period of their life,” Mr. Dib said.

“These people are there to support communities in their most difficult moments, and often at the expense of time with their own family to help save others. They are thoroughly deserving of this recognition.”

Mr Pickup acknowledged the commitment to the Service of each of the volunteers, as they were recognised in front of their peers and loved ones.

“It is a privilege to present these awards to such longstanding and dedicated members of the Service, who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Southwest Slopes,” he said.

“The presentation of these awards is a fitting acknowledgment of our volunteers’ dedication and professionalism. As NSW SES volunteers, they have safeguarded lives and homes and helped local communities become more resilient, while also balancing the demands of everyday life.”

The NSW SES has more than 10,000 volunteers serving the communities of NSW through response to floods and storms.