More than 170 years of volunteer service to the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) in the Murrumbidgee region has been celebrated, with 11 locals recognised for diligent service to their community.
Among those recognised was NSW SES Griffith Deputy Unit Commander Anthony Hatch, who was awarded a Long Service Award for 35 years of volunteering, after joining at just 16 years old.
"My time with the SES has been very rewarding, and the skills I learnt in road crash rescue and emergency response early on set me up for a successful career with Fire and Rescue NSW," Mr Hatch said.
"I've recently taken on the deputy unit commander role, which is a different challenge. I have always been at the tactical end of incidents, but being at the strategic and capability planning end is giving me new skills and I am surrounded by a brilliant local team which makes it easy."
During Mr Hatch's service with the SES he has responded to several major incidents, including the Thredbo landslide disaster of 1997.
"I was on site the morning of the disaster and became a site coordinator. It was hectic when we arrived, they were still trying to work out exactly what the situation was," Mr Hatch said.
He's also been at the forefront of large animal rescue techniques, creating manuals and facilitating training across the state.
NSW SES Assistant Commissioner Colin Malone joined members in celebrating their achievements last night (Thursday 10 August), presenting National Medals, Long Service Awards and a Commissioner's Commendation for Service to members from the Coleambally, Griffith, Leeton, Narrandera, Goolgowi, and Hillston NSW SES units.
"It's a privilege to present these awards to such longstanding and dedicated members of the NSW SES. The presentation of these awards is a fitting acknowledgment of our volunteers' dedication and professionalism," Assistant Commissioner Malone said.
"Our volunteers 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."
The following members were recognised for their service;
- Griffith Unit volunteer, Richard (Steve) Mortlock: Commissioner's Commendation for Service (For exceptional service to the NSW SES, the NSW community, and in particular the Griffith community)
- Leeton Unit volunteer, Kristen Johnstone: 10 year Long Service Medal
- Goolgowi Unit volunteer, William McNuff: 10 year Long Service Medal
- Coleambally Unit volunteer, Kevin Boyle: 10 year Long Service Medal
- Coleambally Unit volunteer, Craig Hodge: 10 year Long Service Medal
- Griffith Unit volunteer, Robert Oliver: 15 years - National Medal
- Goolgowi Unit volunteer, Lawrence Harris: 15 years - National Medal
- Griffith Unit volunteer, Bradley Palmer: 20 years Long Service Award
- Leeton Unit volunteer, Ondria Miller: 20 years Long Service Award
- Griffith Unit volunteer, Peter Billiau: 25 years Long Service Award
- Griffith Unit volunteer, Anthony Hatch: 35 years Long Service Award
