More than 650 years of combined service, thousands of lives impacted and countless hours given by NSW State Emergency Service (SES) members were recognised at the Metro Zone Awards over the weekend.
Two hundred NSW SES members from across Greater Sydney collectively received more than 260 awards, medals and clasps at the ceremony on Saturday 28 March, celebrating decades of dedication to protecting communities in times of need.
Among the award recipients was NSW SES Campbelltown Unit member Ian Shepherd, who was recognised for forty years of service to his local community.
Joining in 1985 alongside his brother, Mr Shepherd began as a rookie - but over four decades has progressed through nearly every role in his Unit including Team Leader, Rescue Officer, Deputy Unit Commander, Unit Commander and Local Commander.
His service has placed him at the heart of some of the state's most significant disasters, including the 1989 Newcastle earthquake and the 1997 Thredbo landslide. But it was the devastating 1999 Sydney hailstorm that left a lasting impression.
"What stood out was the dedication," Mr Shepherd said. "From early April right through to the end of the year, and even into the next, our volunteers kept turning up day after day. It was inspiring to see that level of commitment to helping others."
Now, at 75 years old, Mr Shepherd is still an active and valued member of the Campbelltown Unit, dedicating his time to mentoring the next generation of volunteers.
One of his proudest legacies is instigating the Campbelltown Challenge, an initiative he founded 14 years ago to build skills, confidence and camaraderie among members.
"Forty years feels like it's gone in two minutes," he said. "When you're surrounded by passionate, like-minded people, the time just flies."
Also honoured at the ceremony was NSW SES Auburn Unit member Andrew Page, who received Life Membership in recognition of more than 33 years of outstanding service.
Mr Page joined the NSW SES at just 17 years old after being encouraged by a couple of friends to attend a training night. More than three decades later, while those friends have since moved on, Mr Page has remained, driven by a commitment to helping others.
Over the years, Mr Page has been on the frontline of major weather events impacting Western Sydney, including the 2012 storms affecting Penrith and the Hawkesbury and the 2017 Hills Hailstorm. But his service has extended well beyond his local area, deploying across NSW during some of the state's most significant emergencies, including the 1997 Thredbo landslide, the 2019-20 bushfires, and a 2023 interstate deployment to Victoria.
As the Auburn Unit's first in-water flood rescue operator, Mr Page has played a pivotal role in strengthening the Unit's flood rescue and storm response capabilities.
"We're now one of the Unit's with the most flood rescue operators in the state," he said.
Mr Page said he was a "bit humbled" by the recognition of life membership.
"At the end of the day, I don't look for the medals, stars and stripes, I do what I do for the love of doing it," he said.
NSW SES Commissioner Mike Wassing AFSM presented the awards for courage, outstanding service and long service.
"Each volunteer recognised here has shown exceptional courage, unwavering dedication and a deep commitment to protecting their communities," Commissioner Wassing said.
"They don't do it for recognition, but it's an honour to acknowledge their service and celebrate the difference they make every day."
The ceremony also recognised the extraordinary efforts of volunteers who responded to major flood emergencies across the state. Nearly 200 members received the Premier's Flood Emergency Citation for their role in operations between 2021 and 2023, including the 2022 Hawkesbury-Nepean and Greater Sydney floods.
A further 1,800 members from across the NSW SES Metro Zone will receive their Premier's Flood Citation at events held across the zone this year.
