A State Emergency Service (SES) unit that travelled thousands of kilometres to provide critical support at major incidents was among a host of outstanding groups and individuals honoured at last night’s Western Australian Fire and Emergency Services (WAFES) Awards.
The winners were announced at the annual WAFES conference that celebrates the incredible contribution emergency services personnel make to Western Australia.
Thirteen awards were presented across three categories – individual, team and youth – to recognise excellence in firefighting, Marine Rescue, SES and Department of Fire and Emergency Services staff.
The State-Wide Operational Response Division SES Logistics unit received a Team Achievement Award for undertaking a gruelling 26-day deployment, travelling vast distances between Carnarvon and Denmark to offer logistical support at major emergencies.
Marine Rescue Jurien Bay was honoured for their assistance in locating five people, including a child, who were stranded in waters near Jurien Bay in April 2021.
Station Officer Tony Gaynor received the Career and Fire Rescue Individual Achievement Award after spending five weeks in Fiji offering logistical support to a community grappling with the impacts of COVID-19.
Lieutenant Craig Doyle of Broome Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service was also recognised for his extraordinary efforts in attending 112 incidents in the 2021-22 financial year.
And the late Colin Nicholson posthumously received the Peter Keillor Award for his work upskilling and empowering volunteers at Collie State Emergency Service Unit.
Mr Nicholson was a member of the unit for 30 years until his death in November 2021 and his wife, Monika, was a recipient of the award in 2002.
As stated by Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson:
“Over the past year, our emergency services staff and personnel have once again faced incredible challenges, working night and day to protect communities right across our State.
“These awards are a fitting opportunity to recognise those who have gone above and beyond, often putting their lives on the line to save others.
“On behalf of the Western Australian community, I would like to congratulate our WAFES Awards winners.
“I would also like to extend my gratitude to not only our award winners but the entire emergency services family for their amazing efforts in the past year.”
Youth Awards
Firefighting Youth Achievement Award
Ayden Stenton, Glen Forrest Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade
Marine Rescue Youth Achievement Award
James Cotter, Marine Rescue Carnarvon
State Emergency Service Youth Achievement Award
Cassidy Kempster, Northshore State Emergency Service
Individual Awards
Career Fire and Rescue Service Individual Achievement Award
Tony Gaynor, Station Officer, Rockingham Fire Station
DFES Operational Staff Individual Achievement Award
Peter Thomas, District Officer Fire Capes
DFES Corporate Staff Individual Achievement Award
Lurline Byles, Coordinator Digital Communications
Marine Rescue Individual Achievement Award
Emmie Burton, Marine Rescue Dampier
Murray Lang Bush Fire Service Award
Edwin Bland, Bridgetown Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade
Peter Keillor Award
Colin Nicholson (deceased), Collie State Emergency Service
Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service Individual Achievement Award
Craig Doyle, Broome Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service
Team Awards
Firefighting Team Achievement Award
Gelorup Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade
Marine Rescue Team Achievement Award
Marine Rescue Jurien Bay
State Emergency Service Team Achievement Award
SWORD State Emergency Service Logistics
