Minister recognises SES excellence

The Queensland State Emergency Service (SES) both honoured and remembered one of its finest volunteers at the SES Week State Awards Ceremony in Brisbane today. (18 November)

Former Gayndah SES volunteer, the late Don Kenny, was named the 2007 SES Member of the Year, an award which recognises the outstanding service, enthusiasm, and selfless approach of an SES volunteer.

Mr Kenny joined the SES in 1989 as local controller and continued in this role until he died earlier this year on August 31.

Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts presented the Minister’s Cup to Mr Kenny’s family in a ceremony today at Kangaroo Point.

“Don was instrumental in providing assistance to the Cooroy and Noosa area after they were hit by severe storms last December,” Mr Roberts said.

“Don was heavily involved in the week-long clean up, excusing himself from a wedding ceremony to muster a team of volunteers from Gayndah to assist his neighbouring region.

“It is this sort of commitment and leadership which made Don Kenny an inspiration to his peers over such a long period of time.

”It was a pleasure to meet Don’s family and pass on our sincere thanks for his efforts and for the support they gave him to do his duty.

“He will forever be remembered for his commitment, good humour, willingness to lead by example and his ability to get the best out of everyone.”

Mr Roberts also handed out awards for Operational Response of the Year to the Maryborough SES and Unit of the Year to Kolan Shire SES.

Mr Roberts said Kolan Shire was awarded the Director General’s Cup for its extremely high standard of service during activations and community events this year.

“Kolan Shire has been actively involved in operations and community activities during 2007, volunteering a total of 1862 hours of service to the community,” Mr Roberts said.

“The unit has been involved in 60 activations including providing much needed assistance to other emergency services at a number of major traffic accidents in the Gin Gin area.

“During the recent record down pour on the North Coast region the Maryborough SES Unit was able to safely locate and rescue a man who had been swept into the swollen Mary River,” Mr Roberts said.

“The response by Brian Tufrey and Len Smith is a credit to their unit and to all SES volunteers.

“The actions of both volunteers undoubtedly saved the man’s life and exemplify the highest standards of SES Service.”

Anyone needing to contact the SES in an emergency should call 132 500.

For more information please contact EMQ Media on 3109 7278.

Ministerial media contact: Brendan Connell 07 3247 8992, 0437 837 976

Kirby Anderson 07 3247 8194, 0418 197 350.