The Mandurah Volunteer State Emergency Service paid tribute to many of its dedicated volunteers, sponsors and supporters at its annual awards presentation evening recently at John Tonkin College.
This year marks the 40th year of service to the community by the Mandurah SES, which is now one of the largest units in the state with both strength and experience.
Section Leader Command Centre Robert Gray was declared Mandurah SES volunteer of the year.
“Bob has devoted many hours of volunteer service as an instructor, cadet leader and IT support officer; this combined with his devotion to duty as a leader made him a standout selection this year,” unit manager Chris Stickland said.
Cadet of the year was much harder to select with 69 cadets to choose from.
The prize was taken out by David Styles whose leadership skills, enthusiasm, commitment and dedication to duty was next to none.
Mandurah MP David Templeman, and Department of Fire and Emergency Services District Superintendant Greg Feeney along with many other special guests presented the awards and thanked volunteers and their families for their dedication and support on behalf of the government, community and DFES.
Fire and emergency Services District Officer Will Blackshaw presented the best section award to the Rescue Team lead by Section Leader John Sharratt for the third year running.
Special mention was made of the unit’s cadet program which celebrated its 30th year of operation.
Over 3000 students have graduated from the Cadet program since its establishment in 1986.
Other award winners were Robyn Ballantyne (Welfare), Phil Rance (Operations), Tom Shamsi (Rescue), Julie Johnston (Communications), Hugh O’Dwyer (Leadership), Meritorious Service Ruth and Jesse Haslam and best instructors Phil Bresser and Phil Rance.
The Mandurah SES continues to be one of the most experienced, highly trained and well equipped SES units in WA.
This year the Mandurah SES completed over 4000 hours of volunteer operational hours including emergency callouts for storm operations, car vs house accidents, fire support for the Waroona and Lake Clifton fires, police support and over 5000 hours of training and 7000 hours of community service.
