Published Friday, 23 January, 2009 at 05:37 PM
Minister for Emergency Services
The Honourable Neil Roberts
The South West’s emergency services personnel shine at Australia Day Awards
Six dedicated staff members from the Department of Emergency Services (DES) in the south west region have been honoured in the annual Australia Day Achievement Awards.
Department of Emergency Services’ Executive Director of Strategic Policy and Executive Services Gary Mahon congratulated the recipients, at today’s ceremony.
“This special award is an indication of how our hard working staff and volunteers have gone above and beyond the call of duty.
“It includes a firefighter from Toowoomba, for leadership and dedication in managing the Radio Communication Project, which has resulted in enhanced communication across the state,” he said.
Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts said every year, thousands of Queenslanders call on emergency services staff and volunteers in a time of need.
“Over the past 12 months, Queensland’s emergency services staff and volunteers have seen their fair share of disasters – floods and a multitude of severe storms - and these are in addition to the traffic accidents, fires, medical responses and many other emergencies that occur 24 hours a day, seven days a week, all over the state.
“All these awards recognise the high level of preparedness, skill, professionalism and teamwork displayed by emergency services staff and volunteers in preparing for and responding to emergency situations,” he said.
A total of 146 DES staff and volunteers from across Queensland will be honoured this week with an Achievement Medallion.
Individuals, community groups and businesses that have shown support for the organisation’s staff and volunteers will also be recognised through the awards with 28 Appreciation Certificates to be handed out across the State.
Queensland Fire and Rescue Service Australia Day Achievement Medallion
Janette Hopgood
Annette Lamb
Walter Rye
Wayne Waltisbuhl
Queensland Ambulance Service Australia Day Achievement Medallion
Leon Schaumburg
Emergency Management Queensland Australia Day Achievement Medallion
Rowan Taylor