13 Mid West DFES emergency volunteers awarded medals and clasps in Geraldton by minister and commissioner

Katie Johnstone was one of more than a dozen Mid West volunteers to be acknowledged for outstanding work last week, including her efforts helping NSW counterparts in the devastating 2019-20 bushfires. Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson and Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm visited Geraldton on Friday to thank 13 Mid West emergency service volunteers for their sacrifice and long service in the community. Ms Johnstone was born in Mullewa and volunteers for the Moonyoonooka Bushfire Brigade and Northampton Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service. Ms Johnstone said travelling to the east to help fight bushfires that spread throughout NSW was an eye-opener, and she was able to watch firsthand how other firefighters interstate operated. “Seeing all the devastation and seeing the people who had lost everything,” she said. “Seeing a different way of fighting fires and the different ways they run their brigades, it’s very different to what we do over here. “It was a good experience, I’m very glad I went.” More than 400 Department of Fire and Emergency Services volunteers and personnel were acknowledged for their bravery and commitment during times of emergency last week. The recipients were granted a small token to recognise their achievements and significant service. The National Emergency Award recognised those who helped with the NSW emergency, including Ms Johnstone, Aaron Halliday from Dongara, and Murray Smith from Geraldton. Joe McLaughlin from Shark Bay SES received a fourth clasp to his National Medal, recognising 55 years in emergency services, while David Bagley from Yandanooka Bush Fire Brigade was awarded his 30-year clasp. Ian Astill and Hugh Bryan were awarded long service clasps for their 35 years of service. Michael Beare received one for 25 years of service, Dorothea McLaren for 20 years and Donald Spark for 15 years. Janet Welburn from Moora SES was awarded a State Emergency Service clasp for 30 years of service, and Nic Chadbourne from St John WA received a certificate of distinction for a challenging stretcher rescue in Kalbarri. Jurien Bay VFRS member Robert Garrett received his 10-year medal and 15-year clasp. Mr Dawson said Western Australia was incredibly lucky to have volunteers who were able to assist local communities and interstate from time to time. “Those receiving the National Medal and clasps are celebrating a combined 520 years to emergency services in Western Australia. That is a significant investment of time and effort, and is an incredible achievement,” he said. Mr Klemm said he was constantly in awe of volunteers, but particularly those who had been busy in the Mid West in recent years with cyclone Seroja and bushfires in the Gascoyne. “Time and time again, I’m just amazed at the efforts they put in,” he said. “They put their home life on hold — family, friends, missing important family events — to do their emergency service volunteering and keeping their local community safe.”