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• Record 102 businesses recognised at awards ceremonies
• 10 per cent increase on last year, including many first-time nominations 

A record number of Western Australian businesses are going above and beyond to support emergency services volunteers, with their efforts recognised at ceremonies held in Perth and Busselton.

This year, more than half of the Volunteer Employer Recognition Awards (VERA) winners were acknowledged in the Gold category, with support ranging from paid time off to attend incidents and training, and the donation of equipment and expertise. 

Gold award winner, the Buurabalayji Thalanyji Aboriginal Corporation (BTAC) was nominated by one of several employees who volunteer with the Onslow Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services (VFES). The BTAC supports their volunteering efforts with paid time off to attend incidents and community events, paid travel to attend training and financial support for their VFES branch.

Self-employed landscaper, Andrew Alston of Jardinier Garden Care in Carnarvon was also recognised with a Gold VERA for his decade-long volunteering efforts with the Carnarvon and Bridgetown Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services.

Mr Alston dedicates many hours away from his business, travelling more than 1,000 kilometres to attend training courses and deployments including the Waroona and Carnarvon bushfires and Cyclone Olwyn.

The full list of the 2018 Gold, Silver and Bronze VERA winners is included below.

For more information about the Volunteer Employer Recognition Awards, visit

As stated by Emergency Services Minister Francis Logan:

“Businesses that employ emergency services volunteers, or those who are self-employed, allow us to have fast responses to a wide range of emergencies such as fires, storms, floods, cyclones, vehicle crashes, and land and sea searches.

“Considering that 99 per cent of emergency services personnel in the country are volunteers, it’s essential we have supportive businesses who allow their employees to take time off work to attend incidents, training and community events.

“On behalf of the WA community, congratulations to the 76 employers and 26 self-employed volunteer award winners, and thank you for your support that helps keep WA safe.”