Nominations for the 2023-24 Australian Search and Rescue Awards (Awards) are now open.
The Awards are presented annually by the National Search and Rescue Council (NATSAR Council) in recognition of ‘outstanding contributions to search and rescue’ in Australia.
Nominations are open to individuals, groups or organisations that have made a significant contribution to search and rescue in Australia and deserve recognition at a national level.
Any person or organisation can nominate candidates for the Awards by completing the official nomination form online.
This year, the NATSAR Council is introducing the new ‘Professional Volunteer’ category, recognising the important contribution and invaluable effort of volunteer rescue organisations in the search and rescue community.
NATSAR Council Chair and Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) Executive Director of Response Mark Morrow said professionals, volunteers and members of the public who perform selfless acts for others in a time of peril deserve to be recognised.
“The new Professional Volunteer category recognises the critical contribution and invaluable effort of volunteer rescue organisations in the search and rescue community,” he said.
“Volunteers sacrifice their own time to help others, in the best Aussie tradition.
“We encourage nominations from volunteer and professional organisations, as well as the broader community.”
Last year’s recipients of the 2022-23 National Search and Rescue Awards included:
- Professional Award: NSW Police Marine Area Command Launch Nemesis crew, in recognition of their extraordinary contribution to the search and rescue of two men from the yacht Aviva, in September 2022.
- Non-Professional Award: Luke William Baldock from WA, in recognition of his extraordinary efforts, rescuing two children from an overturned boat in the surf, at a beach in Western Australia in 2023.
- Long-Standing Contribution Award: Sgt (ret) Damian Anthony Bidgood, in recognition of his unwavering dedication, leadership and professionalism, during a long-standing career in search and rescue, in Tasmania.
Commendations were also awarded to:
- Members of ACT Australian Federal Police Maritime Air Support and Search and Rescue teams, in recognition of a complex rescue in 2022.
- Haylee O’Connell (WA), for her dedicated search for her missing brother, Corey O’Connell.
- Jeffrey Caldwell (Tas), in recognition of his extensive contribution and dedication to search and rescue with Volunteer Marine Rescue Gladstone.
The 2023-24 Awards will be presented at a ceremony in Sydney in October.
Nominations can be made at: http://www.amsa.gov.au/national-search-and-rescue-council/national-search-and-rescue-awards
