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Almost 250 New South Wales State Emergency Services (NSW SES) volunteers in the Greater Sydney area, with more than 3,000 years combined service, have been honoured at the NSW SES Metro Zone Award Ceremonies.

Volunteers were commended for their courage, professionalism and service, as well as the crucial roles they’ve played in protecting local communities.

NSW SES Acting Commissioner Damien Johnston was proud to celebrate volunteers’ service as they were recognised in front of their peers and loved ones.

“Whether their service has spanned decades or the past year, which saw a prolonged and mammoth effort in the face of unprecedented rainfall and flooding, our volunteers have gone above and beyond to save lives and create safer communities,” Acting Commissioner Johnston said.

“The awards not only commend our volunteers, but also their loved ones who have supported their service to the NSW SES.”

Among the recipients are Blacktown Unit Commander Barry Wademan and Mount Druitt Deputy Unit Commander Geoffrey Hickson, who were awarded the Life Membership Award and Commissioner's Commendation for Courage respectively.

Mr Wademan’s Life Membership recognises his service to the NSW SES, which began in 1977 and has seen him deployed to various major incidents, including the Thredbo landslide disaster and the Black Summer bushfires. Mr Wademan has also helped pioneer swift water rescue techniques.

Mr Hickson’s commendation celebrates his courageous actions during a flood rescue of a family in the Colo River in 2021.

The family of four were in a vessel rapidly taking on water and moving downstream with the strong currents before it capsized and trapped them. Mr Hickson safely rescued the father and, with the assistance of other emergency services, helped to retrieve the mother and two children.

NSW SES Metro Zone Commander, Chief Superintendent Allison Flaxman, was delighted to see the awardees celebrated for their efforts.

“Through their time as NSW SES volunteers, they have safeguarded lives and homes and helped local communities become more resilient, while also balancing the demands of everyday life. The service our volunteers provide to their local communities, and what they have achieved is nothing short of amazing,” Chief Superintendent Flaxman said.

Approximately 300 awards were presented to nearly 250 recipients at the NSW SES Metro Zone Award Ceremonies at Rydges Parramatta, including:

• National Medals and/or Clasp: Awarded for 15 years’ service and a clasp for each further 10 years thereafter through Government House.
• Long Service Awards and/or Clasps: Awarded in the form of a certificate for five years’ diligent service and every five years thereafter.
• NSW SES Commissioner’s Unit Citations: Awarded to groups, teams or Units for outstanding service.
• NSW SES Commissioner’s Commendation for Courage: awarded for an act of courage where circumstances were hazardous and worthy of recognition
• NSW SES Commissioner’s Commendation for Service: Awarded for exemplary service to the NSW SES. This includes, but is not restricted to, special project work, an initiative or innovation that improves the NSW SES.
• NSW SES Commissioner’s Certificate of Appreciation: Awarded for service that is worthy of recognition.
• NSW SES Life Membership Award: Awarded to members who have made an outstanding contribution to the NSW SES over a prolonged period.
• NSW SES Commissioner’s Certificate of Appreciation (groups or units)
• NSW SES Commissioner’s Unit Citations (individuals)
• NSW SES Commissioner’s Certificate of Recognition