1 July 2026
The Finocchiaro CLP Government will today recognise 29 individuals and organisations from the Big Rivers region with the Chief Minister's Medal for their contribution during the March 2026 floods.
Those recognised include people who rode their push bikes in flood water to keep locals informed, a hero cop jumping out of helicopters to rescue two people and a dog from a stranded car, and people who led efforts to keep the supermarket and butcher open during the disaster.
The March 2026 floods saw Katherine experience its highest flood since 2006.
The Finocchiaro CLP Government will award 29 remarkable individuals and organisations from the Big Rivers Region with the Chief Minister's Medal to recognise the heroes who supported the community during the flooding in March this year.
The March 2026 floods saw Katherine experience it's highest flood since 2006, and surrounding communities in the region cut off by flood waters.
Today, on Territory Day, the individuals and organisations who stepped up without hesitation or to seek fanfare will be recognised with the Chief Minister's Medal.
Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said it was fitting that the recipients would receive their medals on Territory Day.
"Whether they were rescuing families, providing emergency support, opening their doors to those in need or working tirelessly behind the scenes, every recipient made an extraordinary contribution during one of the most challenging periods the region has faced," the Chief Minister said.
"On behalf of all Territorians, I thank them for their service and congratulate them on this well-deserved recognition.
"Presenting the Chief Minister's Medals on Territory Day is especially fitting. As we celebrate everything that makes the Northern Territory unique, we also honour those whose selfless actions embodied the very best of the Territory spirit. Their bravery and compassion will never be forgotten."
The Chief Minister's Medal recipients are:
Trent de With from Rod & Rifle Tackleworld Katherine for keeping the community informed and providing important support behind the scenes with logistics during the response.Superintendent Terry Zhang, Northern Territory Police Force and Thomas Archbold-Manning, Chief Minister and Cabinet for their exceptional leadership in response and recovery operations, supporting the community and coordinating a multi-agency response on the ground.Renae Daniel from the Katherine Hospital who under her calm leadership evacuated the Katherine Hospital twice.Senior Constable Ben Parfitt, Northern Territory Police Force, and John Armstrong from Agrimuster for their courage rescuing two people and a dog from a vehicle trapped in flood waters.Harry Renfree from the Katherine Game Fishing Club for assisting with the evacuation of isolated residents by boat.Joshua Duncan, Tori Vikionkorpi, Jay Jessop, Rachel Brandish, Tom Holliday, Sam Keate, Tara Stanley, Amber Flynn, Kyle Gosley, Brayden Worsnop and Carly Cox from One Set Building (One Set Mob) for ferrying isolated residents and essential food supplies along a flooded Florina Road.Jason Scadden from Town and Country Butchers for keeping the butcher open during the floods to keep residents fed.Alison Vincent and Jake Vincent from the Katherine Club for providing meals to evacuees and emergency service volunteers.Ben Hockey from Hockey's Northern supplies for coordinating volunteers, preparing and distributing sandbags and supporting emergency services.Chris Rowlands from Rowlands Quarries and Wade Hohn from Katherine Diesel Repairs for supplying boats to assist in transporting essential goods.David Reed from Katherine Community Projects Association for leadership and continued support throughout the flood emergency.Rinaldi Dunant from Woolworths Katherine for calm and thoughtful leadership to get the supermarket open as soon as possible after the floods.Michael Kutschki and Toni Kutschki from the Mataranka Supermarket for keeping residents informed and supporting evacuees in Mataranka.Susan King from the Department of Agriculture for leading efforts to rescue trapped animals during the floods.
Minister for Education and Training and Member for Katherine, Jo Hersey, who will present the medals at the Katherine Showgrounds today on behalf of the Chief Minister, said the devastating flooding brought out the true Territory spirit in the medal recipients.
"What does not kill you makes you stronger in the Territory, and our town of Katherine has come out more resilient, stronger and better for it.
"Having lived through three floods in Katherine now, it is these events that see the Territory spirit shine through.
"It is fitting these people and organisations are recognised on Territory Day, congratulations, I couldn't be prouder of our community as the Member for Katherine."
