Six Marine Rescue NSW volunteers and one staff member from the Illawarra Shoalhaven have been recognised with the NSW Premier’s Flood Citation for their invaluable contribution to response efforts during the devastating floods that impacted NSW between 2022 and 2023.
Emergency Services Minister, Jihad Dib, presented the citations to Marine Rescue NSW volunteers from across the region at the Marine Rescue Shoalhaven base, including members from the Marine Rescue Shellharbour, Shoalhaven, Jervis Bay and Sussex Inlet units, as well as Illawarra Inspector Stuart Massey.
He said the dedication and commitment of the citation recipients had left a lasting impression on the communities they supported during some of the state’s most challenging times, as NSW experienced compounding catastrophic flood events, with record rainfall across river catchments and unprecedented flood levels recorded in many regions.
Several of the recognised volunteers were deployed to Western NSW, assisting flood-affected communities in locations including Walgett and Deniliquin.
Minister Jihad Dib said the recognition highlights the extraordinary contribution of Marine Rescue NSW volunteers beyond their traditional roles.
“People often associate Marine Rescue NSW with operations on lakes and the ocean, but these volunteers were there supporting communities in flood-affected areas across far western NSW,” he said.
“These are everyday heroes who give up their time to support others in times of need. I am incredibly proud of the work they have done and deeply grateful for their efforts.
“Volunteers from the Illawarra and South Coast travelled as far as Deniliquin and other inland communities impacted by flooding. Their actions demonstrate a remarkable sense of community spirit.
“This recognition is long overdue. While it is a small token of thanks, it is important that the appreciation of the state is conveyed to them personally.”
Marine Rescue Shoalhaven volunteer, Mark Dolence said the deployment to Deniliquin was both challenging and rewarding.
“We were deployed to Deniliquin for eight days, assisting across the district and supporting local flood rescue efforts,” Mr Dolence said.
“A significant part of our work involved helping farmers move livestock to safety. In one instance, we relocated around 600 sheep for a single farmer over two days.
“At that time, we did not yet have a dedicated Marine Rescue flood boat, so we supported the SES and operated their vessel with Marine Rescue crews.
“We quickly earned the nickname ‘Merino Rescue’ due to the number of sheep we helped move to higher ground. Transporting feed by boat for such large numbers was extremely difficult, so relocating livestock to safer areas made a real difference,” he said.
The Premier’s Flood Citation acknowledges the extraordinary service and resilience of emergency services personnel and volunteers who supported communities through one of the most significant natural disasters in the state’s history.
Marine Rescue NSW is a volunteer‑based, not‑for‑profit professional organisation dedicated to keeping boaters safe across the state. Our 3,500 trained volunteers support communities through search and rescue operations, marine radio monitoring and boating safety education.
