NSW Government Reveals Emergency Services Community Award Winners

NSW Gov

Winners of the annual Rotary Clubs and Districts of NSW Emergency Services Community Awards (NSW RESCA) were honoured at a ceremony at the Bankstown Sports Club last night, where Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib greeted finalists in what was the ninth anniversary of the community awards.

Seven professional emergency service personnel and volunteers from Fire and Rescue NSW, Marine Rescue NSW, Surf Life Saving NSW, NSW Ambulance, NSW Rural Fire Service, NSW State Emergency Service and VRA Rescue NSW were announced as winners on the night, from a pool of 28 finalists.

The Officer of the Year in a Volunteer Capacity was awarded to Morgan Clarke, Woonona Club Captain, Surf Lifesaving NSW - Wollongong and the Officer of the Year in a Paid Capacity was awarded to Erin Pogmore, Leading Firefighter, Fire & Rescue NSW - Liverpool.

The two winners will represent NSW at the AUSRESCA (Australian RESCA) ceremony at Government House, Yarralumla, ACT on Friday 20 October 2023.

The winner of the Dorothy Hennessy Order of Australia Medal Emergency Services Youth Scholarship, for volunteers aged between 18 and 25, was also acknowledged on Saturday night, along with three other finalists. Cate Kyling, Junior Captain with Surf Lifesaving NSW based in Coogee, was awarded the $1000 scholarship for career development and further emergency services response training.

The community-nominated awards are an important way of recognising and celebrating the selfless contributions of the state's emergency services personnel.

The agency and overall winners are:

Fire + Rescue NSW - Winner

Erin Pogmore - Leading Firefighter, Liverpool

Marine Rescue NSW - Winner

Phillip Causley - Coxswain, Ballina

Surf Life Saving NSW - Winner

Morgan Clarke - Woonona Club Captain, Wollongong

VRA Rescue NSW - Winner

Joseph Difalco - Ski Patroller, Thredbo

NSW Ambulance - Winner

Damian Hughes - Chief Superintendent, Associate Director, Goonellabah

NSW Rural Fire Service - Winner

Michaela Anderson - Captain, Shoalhaven communications Brigade, Greenwell Point

NSW State Emergency Service - Winner

Yasmin Jimmieson - Acting Deputy Unit Commander, Armidale

Dorothy Hennessy OAM Emergency Services Youth Scholarship - Winner

Surf Lifesaving NSW

Cate Kyling - Junior Captain, Coogee SLSC

Overall Officer of the Year in a Volunteer Capacity

Surf Lifesaving NSW

Morgan Clarke - Woonona Club Captain, Wollongong

Overall Officer of the Year in a Paid Capacity

Fire & Rescue NSW

Erin Pogmore - Leading Firefighter, Liverpool

Minister for Emergency Services, Jihad Dib said:

"It takes someone special to put themselves in the line of danger. Our emergency services volunteers and paid professionals don't do it for the accolades, but these awards are an important recognition of their contribution and tireless dedication and sacrifice for communities."

"Our emergency service heroes have been on the frontline during floods, accidents, rescues, and fires. Not only do they keep our communities safe, often in the face of great personal risk, but they contribute in so many other ways and show the very best of human nature."

"It is a privilege to be the Minister for both our paid and volunteer officers in the Emergency Services portfolio."

Minister for Health, Ryan Park said:

"All too often, our emergency services personnel attend to us in our most distressing, harrowing and traumatic moments."

"They keep us calm, they give us first aid, they give us relief, reassurance and assistance."

"These awards recognise their dedication, professionalism and service to our community."

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