A 35-year veteran with the NSW Police Force and former Deputy Commissioner has been announced as the Kempsey Shire's Australia Day ambassador for 2021.
Dick Adams OAM will join Mayor Liz Campbell in attending the official Australia Day ceremony at the Slim Dusty Centre on Tuesday 26 January.
Cr Campbell said it was an honour to have Mr Adams as Kempsey's Australia Day Ambassador.
"Mr Adams has excelled in his chosen field and has made significant contributions to Kempsey, NSW and Australia which is reflected by the number of awards and decorations he has received throughout his career," Cr Campbell said.
"As a former South West Rocks resident and Kempsey High School student I look forward to welcoming him back to the Macleay and hearing him share his inspiring story with everyone."
During his time with the NSW Police Force, Mr Adams worked in Kempsey as a constable, establishing several community programs as well as working in Sydney in various management roles where he was responsible for a workforce of 4,500 police and 400 support staff.
Mr Adams was a former State Emergency Operations Controller which saw him coordinate state responses to major bushfires, floods, rail disasters and disease outbreaks.
In retirement he was appointed by the NSW Premier to coordinate the recovery operation for the 2013 bushfires in the Central Coast and Hunter areas and the 2019 bushfires for Southern NSW.
He has received a number of awards and decorations including the Australian Police Medal, the Medal of the Order of Australia, the National Police Service Medal, the National Medal (and clasp), the Reserve Force Decoration, the Australian Defence Medal and the National Service Medal.
Dick Adams OAM with his wife Liz. Mr Adams has been announced as the Kempsey Shire's Australia Day ambassador for 2021
