As individuals, Wayne Lyne and Juliet Smith have their own strengths, SES skills and experiences; together, they are a force to be reckoned with.
As two of Warringah Pittwater Unit's longest serving members, the couple were recently awarded Order of Australia Medals (OAM) in this year's Australia Day Honours List.
Unit member Jenny Parkes nominated the pair two years ago, and said they were "a lot of fun and genuinely interested in other people".
Wayne Lyne
Wayne, Northern Beaches Local Commander, has been an SES member for more than 40 years, starting off at the Port Macquarie Hastings Unit.
He has since represented the service at many emergencies, from the 1989 Kempsey Bus Accident to being the SES coordinator for the 1983 major air search for a plane lost in mountains near Wauchope.
Northern Beaches Local Commander Wayne Lyne and Warringah Pittwater Team Leader Juliet Smith, stalwarts of their community, were awarded Order of Australia Medals in this year's Australia Day Honours List.
Not long after joining, his unit became the primary response road rescue agency so he began training with the Newcastle Police Rescue Squad before becoming a senior rescue instructor a decade later with the State Rescue Board.
He assisted during the 1994 Eastern Seaboard Fires, and the 2019-20 Black Summer in Bega where he led a taskforce of tree fellers and chainsaw operators to help make the area safe for the community.
Wayne rose through the ranks to Deputy Controller at Port Macquarie Hastings Unit, before joining the Warringah Pittwater Unit in 1999 and started training and assessing others in general rescue, chainsaw, flood boat and 4WD.
Jenny first met Wayne when he interviewed her upon joining the unit.
"He was very good at finding out the skills I could bring to SES," Jenny said.
"During my first operations room event, Wayne showed me the ropes and was endlessly patient with me as I got to grips with Beacon.
"He has demonstrated that patience many times, most recently during my PIARO course last year, as one of (our unit's) main trainers."
Wayne became Northern Beaches Local Commander in 2019, after being Warringah Pittwater Unit Commander since 2006.
He has proudly been awarded the NSW SES Long Service Medal 3rd Clasp for 40 years' service, National Service Medal 2nd Clasp for 35 years' service, NSW SES State Medal - Hunter / Sydney Northern Storm 2007, Sydney North Volunteer of the Year winner 2009, Queensland Citation for floods and cyclone 2011, Commissioner's Commendation for Service, Commissioner's Unit Citations for April 2015 East Coast Low, Commissioner's Unit Citation for June 2016 East Coast Low and the Premier's Bushfire Emergency Citation.
Juliet Smith
Juliet is better known around the area as "Jet" because years ago her young nephew couldn't get his tongue around Juliet, and it came out as Jet.
Not only has she led teams in just about every Warringah Pittwater operation since she joined SES in 1999, she also makes other members feel comfortable and confident through kindness and encouragement.
As Team Leader, she supported her community during the East Coast Lows of 2007, April 2015 and 2016, when the unit responded to thousands of jobs, plus out-of-area jobs like the Blacktown hailstorm, Blue Mountains wind storm, and Gosford and Nyngan Floods.
Jet has assisted in many regional, zone and state rescue competitions, in addition to local fire events and the 2019-20 fires.
Warringah Pittwater Deputy Unit Commander Mark Thain said Jet was a "consummate trainer, steady and patient - very very patient".
"I am not sure I could calculate the numbers of homes that have been helped due to Jet's incredible training," Mark said.
"On top of that she is just a nice person who will do anything for anyone and gives advice freely and from the heart for all of the unit."
She is regarded as a very capable and competent storm trainer and assessor by her students all around the state.
An audiologist, she is always on to members about hearing protection.
Juliet has been awarded the NSW SES Long Service Medal for 10 years' service, National Service Medal for 15 years service, NSW SES State Medal - Hunter / Sydney Northern Storm 2007, Commissioner's letter of Appreciation, Commissioner's Unit Citation for the April 2015 Storm, NSW SES Long Service Medal for 20 years service and the Premier's Bushfire Emergency Citation.
Mark said Wayne and Jet had been nothing short of inspirational and supportive, since he joined five years ago.
"I could not think of two more deserving people," he said.
