Tasmania's emergency services and first responders are always there for us, going above and beyond to help us in times of most need, and they do an outstanding job every day.
Today, on Australia Day, eight members of Tasmania Police, the Tasmania Fire Service and the State Emergency Service have been recognised in the Australian Day Honours Awards.
Minister for Police Fire and Emergency Management, Felix Ellis, said these outstanding individuals have represented their organisations with distinction and represent the very best of our first responders in the challenging work they do to protect Tasmanian communities.
"On behalf of all Tasmanians, the Rockliff Liberal Government expresses our sincere appreciation for the work our emergency service workers do to keep our communities safe."
"We are extraordinarily fortunate to have some of the most professional and well trained first responders in the country and we are so grateful to our award winners who are deservedly recognised for their contributions and sacrifices today," Minister Ellis said.
Australian Police Medal
- Tasmania Police Commander Kate Chambers has more than 27 years of service with Tasmania Police. She currently leads the Northern District and has previous roles including Acting Commander for Operations Support, Northern District and Intelligence Commands.
- Tasmania Police Commander Jason Elmer has more than 30 years of service with Tasmania Police. He currently leads the Southern District and has previous roles including in Strategic Planning, Emergency Management and Tactical Command.
Australian Fire Services Medal
- David Hean has been a volunteer for both the TFS and SES for 44 years. He joined Dunalley Fire Brigade in 1980 before moving to Ouse and is currently with Brady's Lake Brigade.
- Lyndon (Ian) Gabites has been a TFS volunteer for 29 years and joined the Hadspen Fire Brigade in 1994.
- Evan Cram has been a TFS volunteer for 20 years joining the Molesworth Fire Brigade in 2003 and is currently with Lenah Valley Brigade.
Emergency Services Medal
- Raymond Cooper has 41 years of continuous and committed service to both the SES and TFS commencing in Kempton in 1982.
- Frances Manning has been an SES volunteer for seven years commencing in the Incident Management Unit and is currently serving in the General Response Unit.
- Brian James has been with the SES for 22 years commencing in the Launceston General Response Unit and is currently with the West Tamar Road Crash Rescue Unit.
