- 44 finalists chosen from different regions across Western Australia
- 127 nominations received for 15 categories
- Winners to be revealed at WAFES Awards gala dinner on 7 September
A marine rescue group that battled treacherous seas off the coast of Esperance to save a stranded vessel and a volunteer firefighter who helped residents escape a raging bushfire are among 44 finalists announced for the 2024 Western Australian Fire and Emergency Services (WAFES) Awards.
Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson said the annual awards recognise the vital contribution that emergency services personnel make to Western Australia every year, particularly volunteers who donate their time for the benefit of their community.
More than 28,000 emergency services volunteers and staff across WA work round-the-clock to prepare, respond to and recover from emergencies including cyclones, floods, fires, storms, land and ocean rescues and hazardous material spills.
Fifteen awards are up for grabs across three categories in 2024 - individual, team and youth - acknowledging excellence in firefighting, Marine Rescue and the State Emergency Service.
A number of the 2024 finalists have been recognised for their efforts at major emergencies from the past year including the Nanga Brook bushfire, Mariginiup bushfire, Severe Tropical Cyclone Ilsa and Tropical Cyclone Lincoln.
Other nominations acknowledge finalists who have excelled in emergency preparedness or community education and engagement.
The winners will be revealed at the WAFES Awards gala dinner at Crown Perth on Saturday, 7 September.
Further details are available at https://dfes.wa.gov.au/wafesawards(link is external)
Comments attributed to Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson:
"Over the past year, our emergency services have faced incredible challenges and dangers, selflessly putting themselves at risk to serve their community.
"Day or night these people are ready to respond to major bushfires, storms, cyclones, floods and land and sea search rescue operations without hesitation.
"They are always on hand to help, whether it's helping us to prepare for disasters or responding and rebuilding our local communities after an incident.
"On behalf of the Cook Government and all Western Australians, I would like to thank and commend these amazing finalists and all of our emergency services personnel for their efforts and commitment.
"The WAFES Awards are a chance for all of us to recognise the inspiring stories of our first responders and to acknowledge and thank them for their heroic efforts.
"The 44 finalists come from all walks of life, highlighting the diversity and community spirit of Western Australia's emergency services."
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
Career Fire and Rescue Individual Achievement Award
Jayden Edwards, Firefighter, Bunbury Fire Station
Mark Papadopoff, Station Officer, Butler Fire Station
Doug Spear, Station Officer, Daglish Fire Station
DFES Corporate Staff Individual Achievement Award
Anni Fordham, Public Information Manager
Kathleen Colgate, Land and Buildings Executive Manager
Lynelle Fozard, Youth in Emergency Service Coordinator
DFES Operational Staff Individual Achievement Award
Bec Benson, Marine Services District Officer
Lisa Bishop, Firefighter School District Officer
Victoria Gardener, Natural Hazard West Kimberley District Officer
Marine Rescue Individual Achievement Award
Bradley Nicholas, Marine Rescue Cockburn
Cameron Bell, Marine Rescue Dampier
Fabio Renzullo, Marine Rescue Windy Harbour
Murray Lang Bush Fire Service Award
Anthony Mort, Cuballing/Popanyinning BFB
Luke Johnson, West Swan BFB
Murray Brooker, Mt Lindesay BFB
Peter Keillor Award
Danny Jeater, Swan SES
Craig Makin, SWORD SES
Nathan Donald, Broome SES
Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services Individual Achievement Award
Peter Stark, Lower South West VFES
Jessica Jenkins, Marble Bar VFES
Michael Simpson, Waroona VFES
Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service Individual Achievement Award
Harry Casey, Cue VFRS
Brian Dunphy, Kalgoorlie VFRS
Thomas Kuster, Lancelin VFRS
TEAM AWARDS
DFES Staff Team Achievement Award
Pilbara Regional Team
Asset Design Fleet Delivery
Strategic Volunteer and Youth Programs
Firefighting Team Achievement Award
Tom Price Bush Fire Brigade
Kununurra Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service
Broome Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service
Marine Rescue Team Achievement Award
Marine Rescue Esperance
Marine Rescue Port Walcott
Marine Rescue Port Denison
SES Team Achievement Award
Swan SES
Roebourne District SES
Gary Littlewood and Maxine Burrell
YOUTH AWARDS
Firefighting Youth Achievement Award
Andre Bradley, Tom Price BFB
Chais O'Dwyer, Kununurra VFRS
Lily Ludgate, Secret Harbour VFRS
Marine Rescue Youth Achievement Award
Byron Schaffer, Marine Rescue Broome
Tristan Rausch, Marine Rescue Geraldton
SES Youth Achievement Award
Joshua Yates, Margaret River SES
Jack Watson, Tom Price SES
Corey Wozencroft, Mandurah SES
