Top sea rescue volunteers named in first State-wide awards

22/08/05
Emergency Services Minister Michelle Roberts has honoured the shining lights of Western Australian sea rescue in the first Annual Volunteer Marine Rescue Awards.
At a ceremony in South Perth, Mrs Roberts presented group awards to Mandurah Water Rescue Group and West Pilbara Volunteer Sea Search and Rescue Group.
Individual awards were presented to Ron Smith of Rockingham Volunteer Sea Rescue Group and 17-year-old Ben Small of Bunbury Sea Search and Rescue.
The Minister commended the recipients on their efforts and said the awards would be an annual event to recognise outstanding individual volunteers and groups.
"WA has a thriving marine culture, with more than 65,000 registered vessels and many visitors to our beautiful coast," she said.
"We are lucky to have 2,200 registered marine rescue volunteers who provide a vital service monitoring more than 13,000km of coastline for 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
"This is a great opportunity to be able to formally recognise the outstanding efforts of our dedicated marine rescue volunteers."
Mrs Roberts said the role of a sea rescue volunteer could be challenging.
"Our crews brave treacherous conditions to search for lost vessels and people, conduct rescues in the middle of the night and tow damaged vessels back to shore," she said.
"Rain or shine, these volunteers provide a vital service to make our communities safer and to protect our unique lifestyle and our Government supports them in every way possible to meet this commitment."
The awards were co-ordinated by the Volunteer Marine Rescue Association of Western Australia (VMRWA) and the Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA).

FIRST ANNUAL VOLUNTEER MARINE RESCUE AWARDS 2005

Paul Kimber Award for Excellence in Volunteer Marine Rescue Services
Winner: Mandurah Water Rescue Group.
Mandurah Water Rescue Group shows exceptional leadership in marine rescue in the Peel region. The group also provides important safety training courses to the boating community and has fundraised extensively to acquire specialised rescue vessels and equipment.
Finalists:
Albany Sea Rescue Squad
Naturaliste Volunteer Sea Rescue Group
Rockingham Volunteer Sea Rescue Group.
VMRWA Award for Excellence in Volunteer Marine Rescue Services Group Operations
Winner: West Pilbara Volunteer Sea Search and Rescue Group
West Pilbara Volunteer Sea Search and Rescue Group provides an outstanding marine rescue service in the busy Burrup Peninsula, including emergency management operations and providing extensive marine education and community liaison.
Finalists:
Denmark Sea Rescue Group
Mandurah Water Rescue Group
Naturaliste Volunteer Sea Rescue Group
Rockingham Volunteer Sea Rescue Group.
FESA Outstanding Volunteer Marine Rescue Services Member Award
Winner: Mr Ron Smith, Rockingham Volunteer Sea Rescue Group
Finalists:
Mr Eliot Fisher, Volunteer Marine Rescue Association of Western Australia
Mr Keith Shadbolt, Volunteer Marine Rescue Association of Western Australia
Mr Ron Smith has been a committed marine rescue volunteer for the past 35 years, since joining the West Pilbara Sea Rescue Group in 1970. In 1978 he was active in securing land and funding for the then new Rockingham Volunteer Sea Rescue Group headquarters, and was president of the group for 17 years. Well-respected in the field of sea search and rescue, Mr Smith has conducted lectures on marine safety in Australia and internationally and played a leading role in the former West Coast Volunteer Marine Rescue Association.
FESA Volunteer Marine Rescue Services Youth Achievement Award
Winner: Mr Ben Small, Bunbury Sea Search and Rescue Group
Seventeen-year-old Ben Small of Bunbury Sea Search and Rescue Group (BSSRG) already has an impressive array of achievements in marine endeavours, including captaining a team of WA's Junior Master Mariners to success. A committed volunteer, who attends marine rescue duties and training every Wednesday and Sunday, Mr Small is a great role model for young people in the South-West. He has taken an important role as a trainer with the BSSRG
Minister's office: 9213 6600