Young cadets from Tom Price Senior High School have taken out the top prize at the Department of Fire and Emergency Services' Youth Programs Awards for a second consecutive time.
The awards, presented at Optus Stadium last night, recognise the outstanding contribution and achievements of cadets and instructors across Western Australia.
Cadets, instructors and groups from as far north as Tom Price and as far south as Bridgetown were acknowledged for their contribution to emergency services.
Tom Price Senior High School received the coveted Unit Achievement Award, backing up their success in 2020.
In the past five years, Tom Price Senior High School has dedicated 15,000 volunteer hours to the community. The school's program is committed to embracing diversity, with
14 Aboriginal cadets and three cadets living with intellectual disabilities.
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services cadets program comprises of the:
- Emergency Services Cadets Corps, funded by the Department of Communities;
- Youth in Emergency Services (YES Cadets); and
- Brigade Group Units (BGU).
The programs provide an opportunity for members to engage with their local Bush Fire Service, Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service, Volunteer Fire and Emergency Service brigades, State Emergency Service units, or Marine Rescue groups.
Cadets develop and learn leadership, teamwork and practical life skills including first aid, radio communications, fire safety, rescue techniques, navigation and bushcraft.
The 2022 Youth Programs Awards winners are:
ESCC Awards
Instructor Achievement Award
John Tonai-Moore, Bridgetown High School Emergency Services Cadet Corps
Cadet Achievement Award
Tahlia de Nazareth, Kingsway Christian College Emergency Services Cadet Corps
Host School Support Award
Tom Price Senior High School
Emergency Services Brigade, Group or Unit Support Award
Mandurah State Emergency Services
Unit Achievement Award
Tom Price Senior High School, Emergency Services Cadet Corps
YES/BGU Awards
Cadet Achievement Award
Caitlin Gray, Northam Youth in Emergency Services
Cadet Achievement Award
Joey Hollandrose, Marine Rescue Port Hedland
Instructor Achievement Award
Brendon Rutter, Northam Youth in Emergency Services
Unit Achievement Award
Quinns Rocks, Youth in Emergency Services
As stated by Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson:
"I'm thrilled to acknowledge the great work undertaken by our cadets.
"Volunteering at an early age can set young people up for a bright future.
"Volunteers are the fabric of our community and they are also key to building a safer and more resilient Western Australia.
"Each of the award winners have shown an extraordinary level of commitment to the emergency services.
"These cadets and their mentors are instrumental in improving the safety of their communities by helping them prepare for and respond to emergencies.
"I would like to congratulate all of the award recipients and nominees, and hope they continue their journey as highly valued members of our emergency services."
As stated by Mining and Pastoral Region MLC Peter Foster:
"Congratulations again to the dedicated young cadets from Tom Price Senior High School for their achievement in winning the DFES Youth Program Awards for 2022.
"It is the seventh time the school has won the gong since the inception of the awards in 2005."
