SES personnel recognised for boat rescue

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Boat rescue awards
Proudly displaying their individual awards as well as a group commendation for assisting in a rescue at Elliott Heads in 2017 are Bargara and Elliott Heads SES members Blake Hyde, Cameron Sage and Sharyn “Shazza” Kilby.

Local State Emergency Service personnel have been awarded for their efforts during an incident involving the rescue of two men from a sinking boat at Elliott Heads.

The award coincided with a National Volunteer Week morning tea and celebration at Alexandra Park this morning, which recognised more than 40 volunteers from across the region for their continued hard work and community service.

State Emergency Service regional manager Merrick Ilett said Blake Hyde and Cameron Sage of Bargara SES Group and Sharyn Kilby of Elliott Heads SES Group were presented with an SES Assistant Commissioner’s Commendation at the ceremony for a rescue which occurred in 2017.

“On Saturday 9 September these three SES Bundaberg Unit members assisted the Queensland Police Service with the rescue of two men from a boat which had run aground on the Elliott River at Elliott Heads,” he said.

“The two men were relocating a large boat in heavy weather and decided to seek shelter.

“The boat collided with the break-wall and started to sink.”

Boat rescue teamwork

Mr Ilett said the SES crew responded with QPS and one man was lifted into the SES boat, but the other was suffering from shock and unable to board.

“The decision was made to tow him to the calmer waters of the Elliott River and assist him into the SES boat,” he said.

“He was then transported to shore where he was treated by QAS.”

Bundaberg Mayor Jack Dempsey attended the morning tea and commended the group for their bravery.

“As a former Police and Emergency Services Minister I can vouch for the great contribution the men and women of the SES make to our region, our state and the nation,” Mayor Dempsey said.

“They are among our frontline response in times of disaster.

“Residents across our region need to appreciate the time our SES volunteers spend in training and skilling and the hours they contribute often with very little notice.”

Region's volunteers

More than 40 volunteers were recognised for their continued hard work at the special morning tea in Alexandra Park.

Volunteers
Friends of Archies Beach volunteers Bree Minifie and Karyn Ennor meet up with Kapali the dingo , zookeeper Laura Billing and Alexandra Park Zoo curator Dave Flack.

Bundaberg Regional Council's Community and Cultural Services portfolio spokesperson Cr Judy Peters attended the event and thanked the many volunteers for their continued passion and involvement within the community.

“The wonderful thing about our volunteers is the dedication to service and immense knowledge they carry and which they so freely share at the many places their services are utilised,” Cr Peters said.

“The hours of service you provide assists Council in operating our facilities and showcasing our region in a professional light.

“Your desire to contribute your time and talents is of immense value to Council not only in economic terms but in the very human face you bring to these areas of Council operation.”

Awarded volunteers

Alexandra Park Zoo

• Connor Latter
• Melissa Christi

Childers Meals on Wheels

• Denise Pratt
• Patricia Walker
• Kevin Savage
• Annie Thurlow
• Cecily Fay
• Ian Fyfe

Gin Gin Neighbourhood Centre

• Brendan Frame

CHARTS

• Pirjo Buchback
• Glenn Baumann
• Joy Gubbin
• Phillip Wilk

Friends of the Library

• Wendy Zunker
• Bill Ives
• Ailsa Klotz
• Jill Lyle
• Glenda Marsh

Gracie Dixon Respite Centre

• Debbie Gaffel
• Pam Lipscombe
• Angela Storm
• Christie Platen

Hinkler Hall of Aviation

• Russell Davis
• Palotes Jaziel
• Beth Faragher

Friends of Archies Beacg

• Greg Radunz

Council run events

• Frank Smith & Jean Smith
• Stephen Curran

10 Years Service

• Dennis Donovan – Hinkler Hall of Aviation
• Rob Maxey-Fisher – Hinkler Hall of Aviation
• Joan Alberts – Friends of the Library
• Maralyn Wootton – Friends of the Library
• Charlie Garwood – Gin Gin Neighbourhood Centre
• Shirley Gastaldon – BRAG (Shirley also volunteers for Friends of the Library)
• Patti Holden – BRAG
• Dale French – Childers Meals on Wheels
• Sonia Jones – Childers Meals on Wheels
• Karyn Ennor, Friends of Archies Beach

20 Years Service

• Shirley Watson – Friends of the Library
• May Keirnan – Friends of the Library

30 Years Service

• Margaret Gayton – Friends of the Library