Region's emergency services honoured with awards

THEY serve on the frontline, often exposed to dangers the general public can’t fathom and they ask for little in return.

THEY serve on the frontline, often exposed to dangers the general public can't fathom and they ask for little in return.

The region's brave men and women who make up our Queensland Police Service and Queensland Fire and Emergency Services ranks were honoured in a joint Australia Day Achievement ceremony in Toowoomba this morning.

For the first time the services joined in the special day which recognises the long-serving members, diligent and ethical service, and long-standing volunteers that bolster rural ranks.

In his address, QFES Assistant Commissioner Stephen Smith paid tribute to the service records and the families behind the frontline responders.

"(It) acknowledges the great work day-to-day in serving your communities, providing the protection and meeting the expectations of the community."

He said the support of families was "critical to what we do and is essential for everyone to go about their day-to-day business".

Eight rural fire brigade officers were awarded an Australia Day Achievement Medallion which are given to officers with a "noteworthy contribution either to or in support of delivering emergency services".

The Southern Downs Regional Council was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation for its support of volunteer firefighters.

Four QFES National Medals were awarded for those with at least 15 years of continuous service, with two more recognised for 25 years.

Six Diligent and Ethical Service medals were also presented. Dalby's Inspector Warren Buckley was awarded the Assistant Commisioner's Certificate of Appreciation for his work in recruitment, and Station Officer Cameron Ashmore acknowledged for his work on bushfire mitigation.

Thirteen police officers and detectives were recognised for their long service with the force.

Sergeant Ian Reimers was handed his 40 years Service Medal clasp as part of 22 presentations recognising long service and dedication with the QPS.

Volunteers in Policing members Sue Kenyon, Peter Klupfel, Desley Steger and Donna Honan were presented with awards for excellence for their involvement in the program.

Australia Day Achievement Medallion:

• Aux. firefighter Petr Lukes
• Roni Bau - Applethorpe RFB
• Michael Perrin - Anduramba RFB
• Monica Galvin - Mount Myrtle RFB
• Michelle Mallender - Weranga RFB
• Vicki Searle - Kogan RFB
• Andrew Walker - Eromanga RFB
• Scott Shorten - Yowah Opal Fields RFB

QFES National Medal:

• Aux. Lt. Christopher Back
• Jamie Goodwin, deputy controlloer
• Aux. firefighter Craig Hammermeister
• Aux. Capt. John Rosenthal

National Service Medal 1st Clasp:

• Senior firefighter Shane Kenyon
• Aux. firefighter John Scuderi

QFES Diligent and Ethical Service:

• Aux. Lt. Jamie Bell
• Aux. Lt. Geoffrey Bennett
• Aux. firefighter Wayne Donnelly
• Retired Aux. firefighter James Klass
• Aux. firefighter David Minnis
• Aux. Capt. John Rosenthal

DESM and 1st Clasp:

• Station Officer Grant Hodges

DESM 1st Clasp:

• Aux. Capt. Gary Dicks

DESM 3rd Clasp:

• Aux. Lt. Terrence Dwyer

G20 Citation:

• Insp. Peter Bradow
• Snr firefighter Mark Haddow
• Station officer Greg Stewart
• Station officer Paula Douglas
• Insp. Graeme Hall
• Station officer Darryl Williamson

Statement of Attainment:

• Station officer Kent Barron
• Queensland SES Meritorious Service Medal
• Kerin Politch
• Matthew Sondergeld
• Jamie Goodwin (1st Clasp)

QPS National Police Service Medal:

• Det. Sgt. Bronagh Gillespie
• Snr Const. Sophia Gonzalez
• Snr Const. Jon Reid
• Snr Const. Cameron Storey
• Snr Const. Trevor Welsby

National Medal:

• Det. Sgt Timothy Bourke - 2nd Clasp
• Snr Sgt Jeffrey Dooley - 2nd Clasp
• Snr Const. Cameron Storey - 1st Clasp
• Snr Sgt Stephen Thompson - 1st Clasp
• Sgt Sean Whittet - 1st Clasp

National Medal:

• Det. Sgt Bronagh Gillespie
• Snr Const. Sophia Gonzalez
• Snr Const. Trevor Welsby

QPS Medal:

• Sgt Ian Reimers - 40 years
• Snr Sgt Brad Clark - 35 years
• Snr Sgt Jeffrey Dooley - 35 years
• Snr Const Maria McCallum - 30 years
• Sgt Michael Youngberry - 30 years
• Insp. Sheree Cumming - 25 years
• Snr Const. Kenneth Driver - 25 years
• Snr Const. Stephen Johnson - 25 years
• Snr Sgt Anthony Neumann - 25 years
• Snr Sgt Stephen Thompson - 25 years
• Margaret Van Boven - 25 years
• Sgt Gregory Wheeler - 25 years
• Sgt Geoffrey Faulks - 20 years
• Snr Const Stephen Barlow - 15 years
• Det. Sgt Bronagh Gillespie - 15 years
• Nelia Hay - 15 years
• Tanya Marshall - 15 years
• Snr Const. Robert Petersen - 15 years
• Plain Clothes Snr Const Virginia Richardson - 15 years
• Sgt Glen Thomas - 15 years
• Sgt David Thompson - 15 years
• Snr Const Trevor Welsby - 15 years

QPSM:

• Snr Const Mark Bradley
• Senior Const Scott Bronkhurst
• Margaret Coleman
• Snr Const Carlene Groube
• Elysia Hartig
• Snr Const Jon Reid

Originally published as Region's emergency services honoured with awards