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The heart of our service
Marine Rescue NSW volunteers are the heartbeat of our service. Their distinctive blue uniform signifies responsibility, trust and service to members of our community.
Marine Rescue NSW has this year recorded a 4.35 per cent increase in its volunteer workforce, ending the year with 3,136 members who give their time and energy to serve our community without recompense or reward. This growth includes the members of our newest unit, Marine Rescue Lord Howe Island. It is also a rewarding reflection of the value the community places on our mission to save lives and people’s desire to give something back to their community, learn new skills and make new friends.
This growth was achieved despite the strictures imposed by COVID-19. The safety and welfare of our people, always the organisation’s highest priority, drove our response to the pandemic. MRNSW introduced the first of a number of escalating risk management strategies on March 3 to safeguard our volunteers’ and community health while maintaining our essential services. Protocols were stepped up to support members’ social distancing and isolation and in turn safeguard our workforce capacity on March 16 and 30. Following the easing of public health requirements, some operational restrictions were lifted before duties returned to the “new normal” on May 20.
In a series of video messages and emails to the membership, Commissioner Stacey Tannos made it clear that the service’s paramount concern had been to ensure that every possible step had been taken to minimise the potential risks to people’s health.
As well as managing the operational implications of the risk management processes, Headquarters’ Member Services also placed a priority on helping to support people’s mental health and wellbeing, distributing information on help services and government assistance packages for those impacted financially. Without the camaraderie of their normal operational routines, members were encouraged to maintain contact with each other, particularly those who might be feeling the strain of isolation. Social media was employed to help maintain engagement, with personnel reporting on working from home, new hobbies, home schooling, ways they were staying in touch with their colleagues and even introducing staff members’ pets. Zoom was widely adopted to hold meetings and less formal catch-ups. By the end of June, as the organisation, like the community, grew accustomed to living with Coronavirus, a gradual return to “normal” operations was well under way, within the bounds of maintaining social distancing, enhanced hygiene and cleaning practices and greater awareness of individuals’ own health.
WORKFORCE CHARACTERISTICS
VOLUNTEERS
Male
Female
Membership category
Regular
Provisional
Other
Total volunteers
Radio Club members
STAFF
Regional Operations Managers
Regional Training Managers
Headquarters-based
Stores
Total staff 2,329 (74.3%)
807 (25.7%)
2,495
599
42
3,136
15,444
6
3
23
1
33
WORKFORCE PROFILE The increase in volunteer numbers this year was accompanied by a significant shift in the membership profile, pointing to the seeds of a generational change. The volunteers who have been with the organisation for more than a decade - transferring to MRNSW from one of the predecessor services, the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association, Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol or Volunteer Rescue Association marine fleet - are no longer the largest cohort. While these experienced volunteers make up 18 per cent of the membership (down slightly from 19 per cent in 2018-19), new recruits now comprise 20 per cent. Almost two-thirds of the membership - 63 per cent - joined five or fewer years ago.
The ongoing sustainability of our service to the boating community relies
3,136 Volunteer Members 15,444 Radio Club Members 350 Medals & Awards
Leaders celebrate rich history and look to strong future
The 2019 Marine Rescue NSW Leadership Conference was staged in the Primus Hotel Sydney, with its blend of historical and contemporary features making it a fitting location for the event to mark the organisation’s tenth anniversary and chart a strong course for the future.
The conference, on August 31 and September 1, brought together the leaders of the service’s units, Board Directors and staff.
NSW Governor Margaret Beazley officially opened the conference, expressing the State’s deep appreciation for MRNSW and its volunteers.
“Over 10 years of service, you have made an extraordinary contribution to our State and served with distinction,” she said.
She said MRNSW volunteers had carried out more than 25,000 rescue missions over the decade, returning 50,000 boaters safely to shore.
“A life lost is not one life lost. It has a ripple effect on many, many members of the community. It really is quite amazing work to do. You are such a support to the internal stength of our community, you’re right at the heart of it.”
Police and Emergency Services Minister David Elliott thanked the volunteers, saying there was no way in the world the government could
afford to pay for the service and time of emergency services volunteers.
He said when a volunteer received an award or accolade, it was for their family “so when you get called out from Christmas lunch, they can put that award on the table so they know we appreciate what you do, your sacrifice”.
MRNSW Chair Jim Glissan said MRNSW had a new sense of enthusiasm, drive and cohesion.
“The support we receive from every level of government, the emergency services, police - both Marine Area Command and Local Area Commands - confirms the level of confidence and trust they have in our members and our professionalism,” he said.
Commissioner Stacey Tannos and staff outlined plans for the continuing growth and development of the organisation, including the investment of $37.6 million in State Government funding and plans for the MRNSW Training Academy.
This year’s guest speakers were sailor Tony Mowbray and human resources specialists Belinda Moore, Brad Rilatt, Kurt Wrigley and Shelley McElroy.
on our ability to maintain a membership mix of both experienced volunteers and a new generation of members keen to serve the community and take the organisation forward. Two new recruitment videos were launched ahead of the 2019-20 boating season to help draw more people to our units.
Each MRNSW unit has a Radio Club of boaters whose regular presence on the water and raised safety consciousness makes them an auxiliary asset that can be used to support search operations and to provide initial assistance to another boater in trouble while rescue crews are under way to the scene. This year, the number of Radio Club members totalled 15,444 across 44 units.
MRNSW is proud of the membership and accomplishments of our female volunteers, who comprise 25.7 per cent of the membership. This is one of the highest rates in the emergency services, with women represented at all levels of the organisational structure. Efforts to increase the representation of women on the Board of Directors are ongoing, with General Director Patricia Fayers remaining the only woman at the table.
AWARDS & RECOGNITION Three members of MRNSW were this year awarded the Emergency Services Medal in recognition of their service and contribution to the safety of the boating community and development of MRNSW capability. MR Newcastle Unit Commander Ron Calman, MR Narooma Master Ross Constable and Monaro Regional Operations Manager and MR Batemans Bay member Glenn Sullivan received the prestigious award. The men have given a combined 90 years’ commitment to the boating community. MR Alpine Lakes Unit Commander Les Threlfo was awarded the Order of Australia Medal.
Ten members of MR Port Macquarie earned national and international awards and were presented with Commissioner’s Commendations for Courage and Commissioner’s Citations (see page 39).
MR Point Danger Unit Commander Glenda Ashby was awarded the organisation’s highest accolade when she was appointed a Life Member at the 2019 Annual General Meeting. She thanked the Board and the members who had nominated her and said she had spent 20 years of volunteer work with the love of her life, her husband Gary.
Ray Angel, from MR Port Macquarie, was named the MRNSW Officer of the Year in a Volunteer Capacity in the 2019 Rotary Emergency Services Community Awards, announced in Sydney on August 2. The awards recognise
MR Point Danger Unit Commander Glenda Ashby was joined by her brother-in-law Darcy Henriksen, sister Dianne Henriksen and husband Gary Ashby for the presentation of her Life Membership. AGE PROFILE OF OUR VOLUNTEER WORKFORCE
Up to 20 years 21 to 30 years 31 to 40 years 41 to 50 years 1.2% 4.4% 6.5% 9.3% 51 to 60 years 61 to 70 years 71 to 80 years 81 years & above 15.9% 34.8% 23.5% 4.4%
the Service Above Self of members of the emergency services. The other MRNSW finalists were Kevin Hill, from MR Jervis Bay, David Hand, from MR Port Jackson and Mitchell Harvey, from MR Woolgoolga.
A total of 333 service medals were presented to members this year, representing an incredible 2,995 years of volunteer commitment. These included 170 five-year Long Service Medals, 109 10-year Medals and three 20-year Medals, along with 51 National Medals and clasps.
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT Australia’s capacity to respond to disasters relies heavily on emergency management volunteers. The Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience’s Volunteer Leadership Program brings together volunteers from different organisations and agencies to build knowledge, share experiences and explore practical leadership, gaining an enhanced ability to understand and contribute to their organisations.
Six MRNSW members attended the Leadership Program at Tamworth in November 2019: Steph Mayoh (Middle Harbour), Ben Skeen (Middle Harbour), Andy Adams (Evans Head), Rick Nevile (Newcastle), Jennifer Fryer (Port Stephens) and Jarrod Ison (Port Jackson). The scheduled 2020 session was cancelled due to COVID-19.
WORKFORCE TENURE
Less than 1 year One year 2 years 3 years 4 years 5 years 20% 13% 10% 8% 6% 6% 6 years 7 years 8 years 9 years 10 years More than 10 years
4% 5% 3% 3% 4% 18%
PROTOCOL SERVICES MRNSW Protocol Officer Bob Herbert has retired from this ceremonial role after three years. Mr Herbert’s last official protocol function was the 2019 Emergency Services Volunteer Memorial Service in October and we thank him for his service in this role, following on from his tenure as the Monaro Regional Controller. Mr Herbert’s fellow MR Batemans Bay member Greg Lee was subsequently appointed as the new Protocol Officer. A member since 2009, Mr Lee brings his former professional experience as a protocol officer in the Australian Federal Police to the position.
STAFF CHANGES Deputy Commissioner Dean Storey left the service after seven years in April 2020. A new Deputy Commissioner will be appointed in 2020-21.
An organisational restructure in September 2019 created five new positions to support our volunteers and the organisation’s continuing development. The new positions and staff are Emergency Systems Manager Colin Williams, Training Manager Chris Jacobsen, Fleet Officer Sean Jewiss, Receptionist/Office Manager Stephanie Bruno and IT Developer/Project Manager Oscar Willems. Daniel Gatt replaced original Stores Manager Graham Foy.
AUSSIE JOY OPERATION
Ten volunteers from Marine Rescue Port Macquarie this year earned acclaim on the world and national stages and were presented with Marine Rescue NSW awards for an operation to save the lives of three seriously injured men on a sinking motor cruiser, Aussie Joy, in the dark off Crescent Head on April 14, 2019. The men sustained a number of injuries, including broken bones, severe lacerations, punctured lungs and a spinal injury, when their 10m cruiser struck a submerged object offshore. None of the men was wearing a lifejacket and they could not be moved without the risk of further injury. They could not remain where they were without drowning. The MR Port Macquarie members’ courage, skill and determination ensured all three men survived.
OUTSTANDING TEAM CONTRIBUTION TO A MARITIME SEARCH & RESCUE OPERATION, INTERNATIONAL MARITIME RESCUE FEDERATION AWARDS
PROFESSIONAL COMMENDATION AWARD, NATIONAL SEARCH & RESCUE AWARDS
COMMISSIONER’S COMMENDATIONS FOR COURAGE
Chris Condon & William Richardson (Port Macquarie 30)
COMMISSIONER’S CITATIONS
Reg McGlashan, Yolanda Bosschieter & Tony Hallett
(Port Macquarie 30)
Robert Breskal & Owen Coulls
(Port Macquarie 20)
