Emergency services personnel honoured on Australia Day

Twelve Australian Fire Service Medals and 5 Emergency Services Medals were awarded today, with the medals among the highest honours available to emergency services personnel.

The medals are awarded to recognise distinguished service demonstrated by leadership, dedication, commitment, and achievement.

The medal recipients are:

Fire and Rescue NSW

• Ms Sally Jane Foote – Australian Fire Service Medal
• Mr Jamie Grant Loader – Australian Fire Service Medal
• Mr John Columba McGarvey – Australian Fire Service Medal
• Assistant Commissioner David John Lewis – Australian Fire Service Medal

NSW Rural Fire Service

• Ms Roberta Colbran – Australian Fire Service Medal
• Mr Keith Thomas Driver – Australian Fire Service Medal
• Mr Michael John Gilder – Australian Fire Service Medal
• Mr Paul William Jones – Australian Fire Service Medal
• Mr Barry William Myers – Australian Fire Service Medal
• Mr George Alfred Nicholson – Australian Fire Service Medal
• Mr John Thomas Page – Australian Fire Service Medal
• Mr Barry Lawrence Richard – Australian Fire Service Medal

NSW State Emergency Service

• Mr John Andrew Gonzalez – Emergency Services Medal
• Mr Geoffrey Thomas Hanson – Emergency Services Medal

Surf Life Saving NSW

• Mr Andrew Maxwell McKellar – Emergency Services Medal
• Mr Brian William Wilcox – Emergency Services Medal

VRA Rescue NSW

• Mr Rodney James Coombes – Emergency Services Medal

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:

“It’s fitting to honour our distinguished emergency services personnel on Australia Day, when so much of what they do speaks to the Australian spirit of generosity and looking out for neighbours.

“Our emergency services personnel epitomise what it is to be Australian and I am incredibly proud of the men and women who have been acknowledged today with these honours, as well as the thousands of volunteers who dedicate their time to keeping communities safe.”