Two NT Fire and Emergency Services members have been acknowledged for their outstanding service to Territorians in the 2026 Governor-General's Australia Day Honours List.
Bushfires NT volunteer Ms Beverley Anne Shuker was awarded the Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM) and NT Emergency Service staff member and volunteer Mr Mark Cunnington has been awarded the Emergency Services Medal (ESM).
Ms Shuker was awarded the AFSM in recognition of her exceptional service as a volunteer with Bushfires NT, spanning 47 years. She commenced volunteering in 1978 as a founding member of the Berry Springs and Darwin River Volunteer Bushfire Brigade and has since served in numerous roles, including captain, secretary, treasurer and committee member of the Darwin River Volunteer Bushfire Brigade.
Throughout her career, Ms Shuker has demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication in hazardous and high-pressure environments. She has attended more than 4,000 fires, contributing an estimated 30,000 hours of volunteer service, including extensive involvement in large-scale grassfires during prolonged fire seasons.
Ms Shuker was instrumental in establishing the Darwin River Volunteer Bushfire Brigade as a standalone brigade in 1979. She has also played a pivotal role in developing and delivering specialist training programs for volunteer brigades, mentoring new volunteers and strengthening operational readiness.
Mr Cunnington was awarded the ESM in recognition of his distinguished service as a member of an Australian emergency service. He has dedicated almost four decades to emergency service, beginning his career in 1986 as a volunteer with the Darwin Volunteer Unit of Northern Territory Emergency Services (NTES). Throughout his volunteer service, he played critical roles in responding to major cyclones, severe flooding events, complex land and sea searches, and boat and aircraft crashes across the Territory.
In 1992, Mr Cunnington was appointed Unit Officer, where he demonstrated strong leadership and a commitment to developing others and in 2001 transitioned to a permanent role with NTES before progressing to senior leadership positions. Since 2016 Mark has held the role of Manager Northern Command Operations.
His contributions include advancing training and operational capability within NTES and supporting urban search and rescue capability.
