Redland SES honoured with regional and state awards

The Redland State Emergency Service has picked up 10 regional and two state awards at ceremonies held during Queensland SES Week.

Mayor Karen Williams said the results reflected the outstanding efforts of all 150 volunteers in keeping residents safe during times of disaster.

“We are very lucky to have one of the hardest working, community minded SES teams in Queensland here on the Redlands,” she said.

“The Redland SES Unit responded to more than 270 jobs during the past 12 months.

“This included helping with land searches for missing people, agency assistance with fires including public safety management, and police support with COVID-19 border security.

“I am sure the community will join with me in congratulating the Redland SES Unit for their training, dedication and willingness to help, all of which has led to these exceptional results.”

Deputy Mayor Julie Talty said to take home 10 regional awards from a record 16 nominations was an extraordinary result and included Unit or Group of the Year, Operational Response of the Year, Trainer of the Year and seven individual awards.

The state awards were for Trainer of the Year and a highly commended for Operational Response of the Year.

“Many of us don’t think about how much hard work goes into training for the SES, until we need them,” Cr Talty said.

“Our SES is about people helping people and I also pay tribute to the families they leave behind to rush out and respond to a community in distress.”

Regional Awards collected by Redland SES Unit are:

Regional Unit/Group of the Year Redland Bay SES Group for exceptional engagement, operational readiness and innovation, leading to outstanding operational results within the Brisbane region. Operational Response of the Year jointly shared by Redland City, Brisbane City and Moreton Bay SES Units for extraordinary diligence and professional service during the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Trainer of the Year Ian Bacon, Cleveland SES Group for distinguished service to the SES through outstanding professional leadership, commitment and dedication to planning, training delivery, and members’ skills development.

Individual Awards were won by the following Redland SES team members for special contribution to the service:

Alex Johnson, Redland Bay SES Group:  For distinguished service through leadership, dedicated service to the community, and continually developing the knowledge and skill level of fellow members. Alexandra Baines, Cleveland SES Group: For distinguished service through exceptional leadership and commitment to the Redland City SES Unit through training, administration and skills development of members. Noel ‘Geoffrey’ Le Noel, Cleveland SES Group: For distinguished service through his outstanding dedication, compassion, and his commitment to educating members within the Cleveland SES Group and Redland City SES Unit. Mitch Brushe, Cleveland SES Group: For distinguished service through outstanding professional leadership within the Cleveland SES Group, and continued dedication to the Redland City SES Unit and its community. Blake Tomlinson, Cleveland SES Group: For distinguished service through outstanding professionalism, dedication and generosity to Cleveland SES Group and the Redland Community, and deploying to assist communities recover after devastating events. Joel Muraca, Redland Bay SES Group: For distinguished service by maintaining operational readiness and providing support to other members of the Redland City SES Unit. Kiara Muraca, Redland Bay SES Group: For distinguished service through continued growth as a leader supporting members and operations.

The two state awards were for:

Joyce Scorey Shield-Trainer of the Year: Ian Bacon, Cleveland SES Group Assistant Commissioner’s Shield-Highly Commended for Operational Response of the Year jointly shared by Redland City, Brisbane City and Moreton Bay SES.

The awards provide an opportunity to thank all SES volunteers and honour length of service and exceptional performance throughout the year.