Greater Sydney volunteers mask up for vaccination drive

Can we help you? Members ready for action at the Ngara Education Centre. Photo: Sophie Galvin

Vaccination the key to a normal summer on the water

In September, at the height of the drive to vaccinate residents in South West Sydney, Marine Rescue NSW received a request from the State Emergency Operations Centre for volunteers to assist NSW Health at several vaccination hubs with a range of support tasks.

Following discussions and several site visits with NSW Health staff on the best way to use our members, it was decided to focus our resources over a two week block on one site, the Ngara Education Centre at Warwick Farm.

Twenty five volunteers responded to the call to assist, with representation from every unit across the Greater Sydney Region.

Between September 20 and October 3, four to five volunteers could be found working up to ten hour shifts each day at the vaccination centre. The work performed included meeting and

greeting people as they arrived for their vaccination, ensuring they signed in using the QR code, checking documentation, directing people to the registration area, and moving stock supplies.

In addition to their familiar blue uniforms, members were kitted out in personal protective equipment including masks and face shields and all were double vaccinated, helping ensure their safety and that of the public they interacted with.

The Marine Rescue assistance was coordinated by MRNSW Development Officer Sophie Galvin, who said all members who attended were excited to be able to help combat the pandemic.

“With vaccination the only way forward to a normal summer on our waterways, it was great to be able to lend a hand and to free up essential front line health workers,” she said.

“Once again, our volunteers have shown their professionalism and commitment in helping the community when they needed them the most.”

Feedback from the volunteers was very positive, with all members reporting that they’d had a good experience at the hub.

In a survey taken after the deployment, one member wrote “The NSW Health staff were friendly, competent, and well organised - a pleasure to work with.” Another member said, “If I didn’t have primary school aged kids on holidays, I would volunteer again.”

Feedback from NSW Health was also positive, with the Manager, Emergency Management Unit, at Liverpool Hospital Dwight Robinson thanking MRNSW for their assistance.

“On behalf of South West Sydney Local Health District, please accept our sincere thanks to the whole Marine Rescue NSW team for your assistance. The Liverpool Vaccination Hub has really appreciated the help and support provided over these last two weeks by your members.”

Four to five volunteers could be found working up to ten hour shifts each day “ “

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