Employers that support emergency services volunteers across Western Australia's Great Southern have been celebrated at a Volunteer Employer Recognition Awards (VERA) ceremony in Albany.
Nine businesses, organisations, and self-employed volunteers from Corrigin to Esperance were recognised for their commitment to community volunteering, by enabling their staff to respond to emergencies during work hours.
Hockley's Denmark Plumbing Service was acknowledged for supporting two volunteers with the Denmark Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service, Denmark Town Bush Fire Brigade, and the Denmark Senior High School Emergency Services Cadet Corps.
Hockley's has been supporting volunteers for nearly 40 years with flexible work arrangements. Most recently the business donated money towards Denmark Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service's 60-year anniversary event.
The City of Albany was also recognised for its ongoing support of volunteers across its 16 bush fire brigades. The City offers emergency services leave for staff who attend local, State, interstate, and overseas incidents.
A full list of recipients is available below.
As stated by Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson:
"Congratulations to the three organisations and six self-employed volunteers from the Great Southern who were recognised for supporting volunteers and enabling them to keep their communities safe.
"Employers who provide their employees with time off to attend emergencies, rest after an incident or to attend training are vital contributors to the safety of our State.
"Approximately 95 per cent of WA's emergency services personnel in regional areas are volunteers, so we need the ongoing support of the private sector.
"Many of WA's personnel couldn't volunteer their time without this support and that's why these employers deserve recognition."
As stated by Albany MLA Rebecca Stephens:
"Having local businesses support our emergency services volunteers to take time off when called upon is vital for Albany.
"Our local volunteers do amazing work in a range of situations to keep us safe, but many of them couldn't do it without support from their employers.
"Congratulations to the City of Albany and Albany Toyota for being recognised, along with another seven businesses for the essential role they play in helping to protect our communities."
2022 VERA Recipients
| Award type | Business name | DFES Region |
| VERA | Albany Toyota | Great Southern |
| VERA | City of Albany | Great Southern |
| VERA (self employed) | Hockley's Denmark Plumbing Service | Great Southern |
| VERA | Esperance Smash Repairs | Great Southern |
| VERA (self employed) | Neu-Tech Auto Electrics | Upper Great Southern |
| VERA (self employed) | Glenfield Grazing Company | Upper Great Southern |
| VERA (self employed) | Marley's Diesel & Ag | Upper Great Southern |
| VERA (self employed) | MC Pest Control | Upper Great Southern |
| VERA (self employed) | Moojatting Springs | Upper Great Southern |
