Twenty-five recipients, with more than 525 years of combined service, were honoured for their dedication and long-standing commitment to helping their communities.
NSW SES Deputy Commissioner Debbie Platz, who presented the evening’s awards along with Greater Hume Council General Manager, Mr Colin Kane and Mayor Albury City Council, Cr Kevin Mack, said the recipients exemplify the values and spirit of the Service.
“This award ceremony is an opportunity to recognise volunteers who have served their local communities with distinction decade after decade. Their extraordinary commitment embodies the highest values of the NSW SES,” Deputy Commissioner Platz said.
“I am honoured to meet these members and hear their stories. Volunteers are the fabric of our organisation, and we truly appreciate the time they sacrifice to serve their communities,” she continued.
Two volunteers were presented with awards recognising 40 years of service to the NSW SES – David Geddes from the NSW SES Holbrook Unit and Rodney Anderson from the NSW SES Urana Unit.
David Geddes, a sheep and cattle farmer who has called Holbrook home for more than 70 years, has been instrumental in shaping the Holbrook Unit through his leadership and mentorship.
“I joined the NSW SES thinking I’d have a crack, and forty years later it became a big part of my life,” Mr Geddes said.
“I’ve recently retired from the Service, but I’ve always been the person in the Unit willing to help with anything. I’ve seen a lot of floods and been part of many rescues, and I have to say the training and rescue competitions were always a highlight,” he said.
Rodney Anderson, a lifelong Urana local, has also dedicated 40 years of service to the NSW SES Urana Unit. In addition to his SES role, Rodney serves his community as a manager at Federation Council and as a volunteer with the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS).
“I’m proud to have been part of the NSW SES Urana Unit for the past 40 years,” Mr Anderson said.
“Urana is a small town, and I want to help in any way I can — that’s why I’m proud to be both an SES and RFS volunteer. Over the years I have been involved in many incidents, with the Southern NSW floods in March 2012 being the biggest I’ve responded to. But the camaraderie and friendships I’ve built through the SES have been the most rewarding part,” he continued.
The NSW SES Commissioner’s Certificate of Appreciation was also presented to the NSW SES Culcairn and Holbrook Units in recognition of their outstanding dedication, commitment, and professionalism in assisting communities affected by the Southern NSW Flood Event from August 2022 to February 2023.
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