NSW SES Hastings Cluster Deputy Local Commander, and recently appointed State Protocol Officer, Garry Whitaker, was named 2025 Officer of the Year Serving in a Volunteer Capacity in the national Rotary Emergency Services Community Awards at a ceremony at ACT Emergency Services Headquarters on Monday.
The national recognition comes after Inspector Whitaker was named NSW State Emergency Service Officer of the Year in August.
Inspector Whitaker said it was an extraordinary honour to receive the award amongst three impressive candidates.
"Winning the state award was extraordinary on its own, and to go onto get the national recognition is quite surreal," he said.
"No one goes into these roles wanting to receive medals and awards, we do it because it needs to be done. But every now and again, it is nice when someone says thank you. This was a thank you beyond any expectation."
Inspector Whitaker first joined the NSW SES at the Warringah Unit in 1972, at the age of 16. He later transferred to the Sydney Northern Region Headquarters, then Hornsby and Wyong Units, before moving to the Mid Coast and joining the Camden Haven Unit in 2020.
As a Deputy Local Commander of the Hastings Cluster, he supports four units to provide leadership, coaching, and operational management. He also plays a key role in mentoring emerging leaders across the region.
During the Mid North Coast floods in May this year, Inspector Whitaker assisted in setting up an incident command sector for the Hastings area and filled night shift as Sector Commander.
"We had our own flooding on the Hastings River, and once Taree and Kempsey got cut off, we sent crews in to help out," he said.
Inspector Whitaker has contributed to major disaster responses, including Cyclone Yasi and the Newcastle Earthquake, as well as delivering ceremonial services, state-wide training and being a long-time member of the Land Search Capability Development Group.
Most recently, Inspector Whitaker was appointed State Protocol Officer for the NSW SES, where he advises Ceremonial and Protocol Officers in activities across the state.
But his service extends beyond the local community; Inspector Whitaker has deployed to other states and countries with the NSW SES, including to Queensland and the 2023 Canadian wildfires.
NSW SES Acting Deputy Commissioner Colin Malone said Inspector Whitaker was truly deserving of the prestigious recognition.
"Garry has served with the NSW SES for an outstanding 53 years and this award is a testament to his decades of selfless dedication," Acting Deputy Commissioner Malone said.
"His contributions as a Deputy Local Commander and State Protocol Officer have strengthened not only the Hastings cluster, but the entire service, and we are immensely proud to see him recognised at a national level."
The Rotary Emergency Services Community Awards (RESCA) recognise emergency service personnel who have gone above and beyond their call of duty, embodying Rotary's motto of "Service Above Self".
Receiving the 2025 Officer of the Year Serving in a Paid Capacity award was Barry Randall from Victoria Police, who founded the Operation Soul Surf (OSS), a surf therapy program supporting first responders impacted by trauma.
