Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott has today congratulated 21 first responders recognised in the 2020 Australia Day Honours.
Eight NSW Police officers have been awarded the Australian Police Medal, one NSW Police civilian employee has been awarded the Public Service Medal, six Rural Fire Service members and three Fire and Rescue personnel have been awarded the Australian Fire Services Medal, while three members of the State Emergency Service and Volunteer Rescue Association have received the Emergency Services Medal.
Mr Elliott said the men and women on this year’s Honours List exemplified the Australian values of mateship and community service.
“Over the past few weeks and months, the community has seen more of our heroes in Police and Emergency Services than they have ever seen before,” Mr Elliott said.
“It’s been a horror bushfire season and as a community we are grieving for the lives, homes and memories that have been taken away from us.
“But today is a day to recognise the service and sacrifice of the men and women who well and truly stepped up to the plate and put the safety of others before their own.
“It is also a day to pause and reflect on those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
“To the families of the fallen, both in NSW and in the United States our message is this: thank you - thank you for raising and supporting the kind of people who put others first in our darkest hour.
“On behalf of the NSW Government, I’d like to thank all of our police officers and emergency services personnel and volunteers, and reiterate our commitment to providing them with resources they need to keep communities across NSW safe.”
Australian Police Medal Nominees:
Detective Superintendent Anthony Cooke, St George PAC
Detective Superintendent David Darcy, Northern Beaches PAC
Detective Superintendent Gavin Wood, Sydney City PAC
Detective Superintendent Kerrie Lewis, Campsie PAC
Detective Superintendent Peter McKenna, Orana Mid-Western PD
Superintendent Daniel Sullivan, Lake Macquarie PAC
Detective Chief Inspector Robert Allison, St George PAC
Sergeant John Rayment, Burwood PAC
Public Service Medal Nominees:
Mr Christopher Beatson
Australian Fire Services Medal Nominees:
RFS Group Captain Robert Graham, Goolmangar Rural Fire Brigade
Group Captain Raymond Hill, Curlwaa Rural Fire Brigade
RFS Group Captain John Stuckings, Gidgell Rural Fire Brigade
RFS Captain Michelle Thornley, St Georges Basin Rural Fire Brigade
RFS Group Captain Owen Tydd, Kelvin Rural Fire Brigade
RFS Deputy Captain Graham Williams, Sussex Inlet Rural Fire Brigade
FRNSW Chief Superintendent Brett Davies, Green Point
FRNSW Captain John Bevan, Lightening Ridge
FRNSW Station Officer Dawn Maynard, Port Macquarie
Emergency Services Medal Nominees:
Ms Allison Flaxman, NSW SES, Penrith
Mr Warren Turner, NSW SES, Burradoo
Mr Richard Rooke, NSW VRA, Wagga Wagga
Eight NSW Police officers have been awarded the Australian Police Medal, one NSW Police civilian employee has been awarded the Public Service Medal, six Rural Fire Service members and three Fire and Rescue personnel have been awarded the Australian Fire Services Medal, while three members of the State Emergency Service and Volunteer Rescue Association have received the Emergency Services Medal.
Mr Elliott said the men and women on this year’s Honours List exemplified the Australian values of mateship and community service.
“Over the past few weeks and months, the community has seen more of our heroes in Police and Emergency Services than they have ever seen before,” Mr Elliott said.
“It’s been a horror bushfire season and as a community we are grieving for the lives, homes and memories that have been taken away from us.
“But today is a day to recognise the service and sacrifice of the men and women who well and truly stepped up to the plate and put the safety of others before their own.
“It is also a day to pause and reflect on those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
“To the families of the fallen, both in NSW and in the United States our message is this: thank you - thank you for raising and supporting the kind of people who put others first in our darkest hour.
“On behalf of the NSW Government, I’d like to thank all of our police officers and emergency services personnel and volunteers, and reiterate our commitment to providing them with resources they need to keep communities across NSW safe.”
Australian Police Medal Nominees:
Detective Superintendent Anthony Cooke, St George PAC
Detective Superintendent David Darcy, Northern Beaches PAC
Detective Superintendent Gavin Wood, Sydney City PAC
Detective Superintendent Kerrie Lewis, Campsie PAC
Detective Superintendent Peter McKenna, Orana Mid-Western PD
Superintendent Daniel Sullivan, Lake Macquarie PAC
Detective Chief Inspector Robert Allison, St George PAC
Sergeant John Rayment, Burwood PAC
Public Service Medal Nominees:
Mr Christopher Beatson
Australian Fire Services Medal Nominees:
RFS Group Captain Robert Graham, Goolmangar Rural Fire Brigade
Group Captain Raymond Hill, Curlwaa Rural Fire Brigade
RFS Group Captain John Stuckings, Gidgell Rural Fire Brigade
RFS Captain Michelle Thornley, St Georges Basin Rural Fire Brigade
RFS Group Captain Owen Tydd, Kelvin Rural Fire Brigade
RFS Deputy Captain Graham Williams, Sussex Inlet Rural Fire Brigade
FRNSW Chief Superintendent Brett Davies, Green Point
FRNSW Captain John Bevan, Lightening Ridge
FRNSW Station Officer Dawn Maynard, Port Macquarie
Emergency Services Medal Nominees:
Ms Allison Flaxman, NSW SES, Penrith
Mr Warren Turner, NSW SES, Burradoo
Mr Richard Rooke, NSW VRA, Wagga Wagga