Over 350 guests attended the second annual, Rotary NSW Emergency Services Community Awards Presentation Dinner at Dockside Pavilion, Darling Harbour on the 23rd July to acknowledge and celebrate selfless community service performed by members of the six New South Wales Emergency Service Agencies. Funds raised through the awards support an Australian Rotary Health, PhD Research Scholarship investigating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Emergency Services personnel.
The event is an initiative of the Rotary Districts and Clubs of NSW and is the only time all six NSW Emergency Service Agencies are recognised in a combined awards program (Fire & Rescue NSW, Marine Rescue NSW, NSW Ambulance, NSW Rural Fire Service, NSW State Emergency Service and NSW Volunteer Rescue Association).
Stephen Humphreys, District Governor of Rotary District 9675 said “Rotary is honoured to recognise the selfless work performed by the many paid and volunteer members of our Emergency Services. Their work epitomises Rotary’s motto of Service Above Self”.
The Hon David Elliott MP, Minister for Emergency Services was on hand to present the awards and congratulated the winners for their outstanding service.
Twenty-four (24) finalists from across the state were recognised and presented with commemorative plaques. Six Officers of the Year were announced - one for each of the six Emergency Service Agencies. The finale of the evening saw two Overall Officers of the Year announced – one Volunteer Officer of the Year and one, Paid Officer of the Year.
Emergency Services, Officers of the Year:
Fire & Rescue NSW Graham Parks from Leeton
Marine Rescue NSW Peter Taylor from The Shoalhaven Region
NSW Ambulance Grant Prendergast from Murwillumbah
NSW Rural Fire Service Mark Murphy from Liverpool Range Zone
NSW State Emergency Service Danielle Osborne from Lightning Ridge
NSW Volunteer Rescue Association David Cotsios from Batlow
Overall Officers of the Year:
Officer serving in a Volunteer Capacity: David Cotsi
os, NSW Volunteer Rescue Association
Officer serving in a Paid Capacity: Graham Parks, Fire and Rescue NSW
