NSW SES Recognises Lifelong, Long Service and National Medal Award Recipients

Volunteers from the NSW State Emergency Service (NSW SES) have been recognised for their diligent service to their community at an awards ceremony in Coffs Harbour. On Saturday 4th May 2019, NSW SES Commissioner Kyle Stewart presented four NSW SES members with very special awards.

“The presentation of these awards is a fitting acknowledgment of our volunteers’ dedication and professionalism,” said Mr Stewart.

“Team spirit, friendship and desire to serve the community are some of the great strengths of the NSW SES. It creates a positive environment which encourages them to stay with the SES for many years.”

“Our volunteers support resilient communities, building capability across their local areas and beyond,” Mr Stewart said.

NSW SES congratulates all the humble recipients and hope acknowledge more dedicated members in the near future.

National Medal

The National Medal recognises long and diligent service in organisations that protect life and property at some risk to their members. The Medal is awarded to persons for long service in eligible organisations who fulfil the primary function and meet other criteria. Fifteen years eligible service is necessary to qualify for the Medal. Clasps are available for each additional 10-year period.

Award Recipients – National Medals

  • National Medal Clasp 3 – Peter Mair
  • National Medal Clasp 2 – Jeff Spash
  • National Medal – Timothy (Tim) McElroy

Long Service Award

The Long Service Award is awarded to members of the NSW SES who have achieved a period of diligent service of five (5) years, and then every five years’ service anniversary thereafter.

Award Recipients – Long Service Award

  • 40 Year Long Service Award – Jeffery Spash
  • 15 Year Long Service Award – Tim McElroy

Life Member Award

The Life Member Award for outstanding contribution to the NSW SES over a prolonged period.

Award Recipients – Life Member Award

  • Life Member over 34 years of service – Warren Hancock

Group photo with NSW SES Commissioner Kyle Stewart

Picture left to right: NSW SES Commissioner Kyle Stewart, Tim McElory, Warren Hancock, Jeff Spash & Stephen Hart – Zone Commander

Group Photo 2

Picture left to right: Stephen Hart – Zone Commander, Peter Mair, Warren Hancock, Jeff Spash & NSW SES Commissioner Kyle Stewart.

More about the recipients

Peter Mair – National Medal Clasp 3

Recipient of the National Medal Clasp 3, for 45 years of diligent service.

Peter joined the NSW SES Richmond Tweed Region Headquarters on 1 July 1971. He has held various positions during this time and is presently the Commander for Tweed/Byron.

Peter has received the 2007 State Medal – Storm Event and was awarded a Director General’ s Commendation for Service in 2006.

Peter has been integral in his roles and in particular in relation to Communications across the Northern Rivers.

It is with great pleasure that we are here tonight to present Peter Mair with his year National Medal Clasp for 45 years of dedicated service.

Peter Mair National Media Clasp 3 recipient

Picture left to right: NSW SES Commissioner Kyle Stewart & Peter Mair

Jeffery Spash – National Medal Clasp 2

Recipient of the National Medal Clasp 2, for 35 years of diligent service.

Jeff joined the NSW SES Richmond Tweed Region Headquarters on 9th January 1978. He has held various positions during this time including – Unit Controller Capability Unit and Deputy Region Controller (Volunteer). He is currently the Local Commander for Capability Units and IMT NR Intelligence Officer.

Jeff has received the 2007 State Medal – Storm Event and was awarded a Director General’s Commendation for Service in 2004,

Jeff has been integral in developing flood intelligence in the Northern Rivers.

Jeffery Spash National Medal Clasp 2

Picture left to right: NSW SES Commissioner Kyle Stewart & Jeffery Spash

Timothy (Tim) McElroy – National Medal

Recipient of the National Medal for 15 years, of diligent service.

Tim joined the Aberdeen SES Unit, which is part of the Upper Hunter Cluster on 13 May 2003.

From joining, Tim has dedicated himself to the Aberdeen SES Unit and his local community and further afield providing Out of Area Assistance where possible. Tim has also been involved in many community engagement activities across the Upper Hunter Shire alongside his members.

Tim has applied himself diligently to training from joining the NSW SES and has acquired many qualifications across our core roles including both field and operational qualifications which has provided much needed skills to the unit.

Tim provided further support by undertaking the Training Co-ordinator and LSO Course Administrator roles on behalf of the unit which determined the strategic training direction for the members of the unit.

Tim was appointed as the Unit Commander on 1 August 2015 and remains in that role today and has represented the service impeccably.

As demonstrated, Tim has committed himself to his best ability to his unit, members and community.

Tim McElroy National Medal

Picture left to right: NSW SES Commissioner Kyle Stewart & Tim McElroy

Warren Hancock – Life Member

Recipient of the Life Member Award for outstanding contribution to the NSW SES over a prolonged period.

Warren Hancock joined the NSW SES on the 21st May 1985 and has occupied a leadership position since that time as the Gladstone Unit Controller and more recently in his current position as the Local Commander for the Kempsey Nambucca Cluster.

In over 34 years of service with the SES, Warren has amassed an impressive emergency service resume and established his credibility amongst his peers, emergency service partners and functional support agencies in his role as the Gladstone Unit Controller and Kempsey Shire Local Controller. Warren has participated in and led multiple incidents as an Incident Controller within his own area of responsibility as well as participating in operations across NSW. Warren is a valued member of the Local Emergency Management Committee and is held in high regard by the Kempsey Shire Local Emergency Management community.

As a leader Warren has heavily invested in the community of the Lower Macleay over many years as a member of the NSW SES. He has led and participated in numerous community engagement and resilience workshops to build resilience and less reliance on emergency services during operations. Warren has achieved this by establishing strong connections with local at risk communities in the Lower Macleay where there is a significant population base at risk of flood inundation. Warren has worked with these community groups and community leaders over many years to ensure the full planning, preparedness, response and recovery cycle is applied in managing the flood risk in and around the Macleay River. He has continuously engaged with communities, government stakeholders and other emergency services to achieve best practice and optimum outcomes for the communities affected.

Warren has led the community in many emergency response exercises, operations and crises establishing his credibility and reputation as a competent emergency service professional. Warren has qualified his life and on the job experiences through participating in numerous training courses and obtaining skills, qualifications and competence to perform roles as either an Incident Controller and as a Local/Unit Commander. Warren has acted as Incident Controller, Division Commander and Sector Commander in multiple L2 and L3 events over his more than 30 years of service in many locations across NSW and on out of area deployments. He has been formally recognised with two NSW SES Commissioners Certificates of Appreciation as well as receiving recognition for long and diligent service through the NSW SES Long Service and National Medal awards processes.

Warren Hancock Life Member

Picture left to right: NSW SES Commissioner Kyle Stewart & Warren Hancook

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