NSW Premier thanks Red Cross volunteers for bushfire work
16 December 2020
A group of Red Cross volunteers from across New South Wales have been personally thanked by Premier Gladys Berejiklian for their tireless work during last summer’s bushfires.
At a special event held at the NSW Parliament, the group met with the Premier after receiving NSW Bushfire Emergency Citations, which recognises the services of thousands of people who fought the fires and supported communities behind the scenes.
The seven volunteers who attended the event were invited to represent 636 Red Cross volunteers and staff across the state who are being awarded citations. Cooma volunteer Jennifer Nicholls was among those at the event.
Poppy Brown, Australian Red Cross NSW & ACT Director, was at the presentation after travelling around NSW to present certificates and letters from the NSW Premier to other volunteers. She said:
“These citations recognise the incredible and tireless work of our local staff and volunteers, including those who continued to help their communities when their own homes were affected during last summer’s bushfires.
“We thank the NSW Government and the Premier for their support of our teams and their recognition of our contribution to the bushfire effort.
“The stories of selflessness and sacrifice that I have been hearing from our passionate volunteers have been inspiring. Red Cross can’t thank its volunteers and staff enough for their tremendous dedication.”
More than 65,000 people across NSW are being recognised with the new citation, which was announced in September.
Red Cross remains committed to helping communities impacted by last summer’s bushfires now and in the years to come.
Our Recovery Officers and volunteers remain on the ground, providing grants to nearly 5,800 people and helping more than 16,800 others, in 46 regions in four states, by providing psychosocial support and assistance as their communities recover.
