North Coast

Group photo – some of the members of the Broadwater and Woodburn SES Units who received awards with Clarence Nationals MP, Chris Gulaptis and Richmond Valley Mayor, Robert Mustow. L-R: 25 Year Long Service – Kevin Boyd of Broadwater, National Emergency Medal (Cyclone Debbie 2017) – Andrew Adams of Broadwater, 10 & 15 Year Long Service – William Degotardi of Broadwater, 65 Year Long Service Award – Bert Plenkovich of Broadwater and 15 Years Long Service – John Ingram of Woodburn
North Coast

Celebrating 700+ years of SES service

November 22, 2022
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Volunteers from the Wilson Richmond and Clarence Valley clusters of the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) have been recognised at an awards ceremony in East Ballina.

Clarence Nationals MP said 50 awards were presented to 39 recipients who combined years of service total 790.

“It’s an absolute honour to present our dedicated volunteers with their awards. The work of SES volunteers is invaluable to our region, they are always there assisting fellow residents in times of need,” Mr Gulaptis said.

“The SES Units being recognised today are from right across our region including Ballina, Broadwater, Coraki, Lismore City, Woodburn, Brushgrove, Lawrence, Maclean, Yamba, Ulmarra, Wooli-Yuraygir, Coutts Crossing, Copmanhurst, Grafton, and Clarence.”

SES Commissioner Carlene York said she was pleased to personally recognise the tireless efforts of volunteers.

“After the relentless flooding we have seen this year, it is important to recognise the outstanding efforts of volunteers,” Commissioner York said.

Bert Plenkovich OAM of Broadwater who was presented with a 65 Year Long Service Award

“Members from these communities have responded to more than 6,000 requests for assistance in their community over the past 12 months.”

As part of the ceremony, Mr Gulaptis and Commissioner York presented Bert Plenkovich OAM with a 65-year long service award.

Mr Plenkovich said he was delighted that his many years of service was recognised in today’s ceremony.

“I don’t get up on the roofs these days, but I still help out where I can,” Mr Plenkovich said.

SES volunteers Andrew Adams, George Robinson, Gerald Burnage, Graham Cork, Kenneth Brown and Margaret Kajewski were awarded National Emergency Medals for their service during Cyclone Debbie in 2017.

Gerald Burnage from the Ballina SES Unit also received SES Life Membership, which is reserved for those who have made an outstanding contribution to the SES over an extended period.

NSW Police Force Superintendent Scott Tanner also presented a number of Lismore City SES Unit members with a NSW Police Certificate of Appreciation for their response in the Tooloom Recovery in September 2021.

The SES Long Service awards were presented to volunteers with service ranging between 10 and 65 years.

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