Two Marine Rescue NSW volunteers from the state’s Northern Rivers and two from the South Coast are in the running for the Marine Rescue NSW award at the 2023 Rotary Districts of NSW Emergency Services Community Awards to be held at the Bankstown Sports Club this Saturday night, 12 August.
Brunswick Unit Commander Jonathan Wilcock, long-serving Ballina volunteer Phillip Causley, Jervis Bay Grants Officer Leona Curran and experienced Merimbula seaman Stewart Dietrich are the service’s four finalists vying for the 2023 Marine Rescue NSW agency award.
Marine Rescue NSW Northern Zone Commander Mal Jeffs and Southern Zone Commander Mike Hammond have given high praise to the four finalists and wished them well ahead of tomorrow night’s awards ceremony.
Above: Mr Wilcock on duty at Brunswick
Mr Jeffs said the finalists from his zone, Jonathan Wilcock, Brunswick and Phillip Causley, Ballina are both respected members of Marine Rescue NSW.
“Jonathan makes a highly valued contribution as the Unit Commander at Brunswick.
“He coordinates all aspects of the unit and its 60 members and the service they provide to the boating community,” he said.
Above: Mr Wilcock with MRNSW Senior Manager Fleet Kelvin Parkin
Northern Zone Commander Jeffs said Mr Wilcock was hugely involved in the community response to the flooding emergency in the Brunswick, Mullumbimby and surrounding areas last year.
“Following that he continues working with the local emergency services trying to improve those services to the community.
“He organises joint training with those agencies to try and really make a difference,” he said.
Above: Phillip Causley assisting during last year’s flood emergency in the Central West
Northern Zone Commander Jeffs said Phillip Causley is an extremely experienced member at Marine Rescue Ballina after joining the unit in 2011.
“He’s progressed through the ranks from crew to Coxswain, he’s also held the role of Deputy Unit Commander.
“Whether on the water or helping out at a fundraising event cooking at the BBQ hotplate he is always willing to help.
“He not only assists boaters around Ballina but also volunteered his time last year to help with the flood emergency response, not only in the Northern Rivers but in the state’s Central West as well.
Marine Rescue NSW Southern Zone Commander Mike Hammond said Southern Zone members, Stewart Dietrich, Merimbula and Leona Curran, Jervis Bay are very worthy finalists.
“Stewart’s highly experienced with Marine Rescue, he’s been with us for nearly 10 years and before joining Marine Rescue he served with the Royal Australian Navy so he has got a great back ground and lots of experience and knowledge that has served him well in our unit,” he said.
Above: Stewart Dietrich providing training at Marine Rescue Eden
Southern Zone Commander Hammond said Mr Dietrich has completed comprehensive training with Marine Rescue and enjoys sharing his knowledge with other members.
“He is a Master on the vessels and a Watch Officer working in the radio room.
“He plays a great role in training other members at the Merimbula unit but also at other neighbouring units, in fact he’s been in Eden this week leading some crew training.
“Stewart’s done great things at the Merimbula unit for Marine Rescue and we are really glad to have him,” he said.
Above: Leona Curran was named the Marine Rescue NSW winner at the Shoalhaven Emergency Services Community Awards in June
Southern Zone Commander Hammond said Leona Curran is also a highly valued member of the Jervis Bay unit.
“She has a real gift for grant applications and works very hard at them.
“Through her diligence and hard work we have been able to secure grants for really important things for maintaining and increasing our capability around the Jervis Bay area.
“Things like new motors for vessels, vehicles for doing unit logistics and towing and launching vessels.
“Leona’s made a massive contribution and we really appreciate everything she has done for us,” Southern Zone Commander Hammond said.
Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib will present the awards at tomorrow night’s RESCA ceremony.
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