Emergency Services Medal recognises dedicated service
This year’s Australia Day honours recognised the long and meritorious service of Merimbula volunteer, William (Bill) Blakeman.
Mr Blakeman’s working and volunteer careers have been steeped in maritime activities. He began his working life with the British Merchant Navy and eventually retired from the NSW Maritime Service Board in 2007. At the same time, he served as a volunteer member of the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard in Sydney.
Upon his retirement, he moved south and joined the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol at Merimbula, taking up the role of Training Officer and Training Support Officer, roles which he continues to perform. To comply with the requirements of these roles, he successfully obtained a Certificate IV Trainer and Assessor.
Mr Blakeman holds Marine Rescue NSW’s highest qualifications, Marine Rescue Master and Watch Officer, meaning he can train and assess his fellow volunteers working for all qualifications attainable in the organisation. As the Training Officer, he has been staunch in his commitment to the professional development of members in operational activities and emergency search and rescue response. He draws on his extensive experience and knowledge to efficiently elevate volunteers to the appropriate trained standards, in the process helping many volunteers to build the skills and knowledge needed to progress through the ranks.
In March 2015, Mr Blakeman was awarded the Marine Rescue NSW Commissioner’s Commendation for Courage for an operation undertaken in October 2011. He was the skipper of the rescue vessel with a crew of two volunteers, who risked their lives to save two men and their floundering vessel. The stricken vessel was stranded metres from rocks in winds gusting to 30 knots in three-metre seas. Mr Blakeman skilfully manoeuvred the rescue vessel close enough to pass a tow rope to the foundering vessel and quickly pull it away from immediate danger by the stern, before a second line could be secured to the bow. The two vessels returned safely to Merimbula under worsening conditions.
In 2014, Mr Blakeman was unanimously elected to the position of Unit Commander of Marine Rescue Merimbula, and elected unopposed for another two terms. In the role he demonstrated strong leadership and people skills, a commitment to supporting volunteers, the ability to set goals and manage multiple tasks, while also dealing with local government, community groups and the public. During his tenure as leader, the unit experienced significant growth in membership growth and retention, with a high degree of volunteer satisfaction and commitment.
His foresight and initiative has ensured the exponential growth of the Merimbula unit’s profile within the visiting and local boating community. He has adopted a multi-pronged approach to promote the unit, using multi-media, flyers, local radio and newspapers, open days, barbecues, raffles and presentations to local community groups. The unit’s raised profile has resulted in numerous enquiries from locals to join or financially support the unit.
In 2019, Mr Blakeman was awarded the Bega Valley Shire Community Service Medallion in recognition of his skills and dedication as both an emergency services trainer and Unit Commander. The Medallion was presented as part of the Bega Valley’s National Volunteers Week celebrations to acknowledge his outstanding work as a volunteer in the region.
He has displayed foresight and vision for the future, campaigning and fundraising to purchase a secondary rescue vessel capable of reaching local waterways inaccessible by the unit’s large primary response vessel. In 2020 he steered a project to replace the vessel’s floating pontoon and renovate its jetty to accommodate both vessels.
As Unit Commander, Mr Blakeman worked closely with the unit executive to develop and implement detailed business and financial plans to guide and grow the unit as an efficient and effective rescue service. The unit has remained financial buoyant under his administration, ensuring it remained well placed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In early 2020, the far south coast experienced its worst bushfire season. Mr Blakeman worked tirelessly in the local Emergency Operations Centre representing Marine Rescue NSW, helping to coordinate our members to monitor NSW Rural Fire Service radios overnight and undertake countless jobs in the four evacuations centres located at Merimbula, Tura Beach and Bega. His work in the Emergency Operations Centre only ceased when he was forced to evacuate his family home, which was threatened by the advancing bushfires.
Mr Blakeman has had a profound effect on all those he has inspired, influenced and saved, working over and above normal employment duties. His skill, commitment and outstanding contribution have benefited not only Marine Rescue NSW and the volunteer members in Merimbula but also the wider boating community as a whole.
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