The North Coast’s emergency services personnel shine at Australia Day Awards

Thirty-one dedicated staff members from the Department of Emergency Services on the North Coast have been honoured in the annual Australia Day Achievement Awards.

Department of Emergency Services Director-General Jim McGowan 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 three women who have been recognised for volunteering their time to assist the Buderim Local Ambulance Committee for 24 years or more,” 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.

“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

Barry Bulluss

Shane Peter Charman

Brendon Goldsmith

Lennard Harper

Kahu Helleur

Ian Henning

Glenys Hogarth

Peter Hollier

Eric Holmnas

Leonie Jamieson

Sue Johnston

Amy Louise Loryman

Natalie Massicks

Shirley Oakman

Stephen Ossedryver

Maxwell Rogers

Glen Smyth

Mervyn Alan Strack

Jennifer Van Der Pols

Darryl Venz

Queensland Ambulance Service Australia Day Achievement Medallion

Michael Byrnes

Bonita Duffield

David Ellaby

Beres Jen Howard

David Hutchinson

Raymond Huth

Grace Mary McLuskie-Higgs

Valerie Jean Mellish

Emergency Management Queensland Australia Day Achievement Medallion

Vin Childs

Phillip Smith

Peter Verbakel