Weipa Volunteer Marine Rescue president Brendon Fay receives his National Medal from Marine Rescue Queensland chief officer Tony Wullf. Photo: Supplied.
In a true demonstration of community spirit, the president of Weipa’s Volunteer Marine Rescue unit has used being awarded a national service honour as a chance to help bolster the group’s ranks.
On 2 August, Weipa Volunteer Marine Rescue (VMR) president Brendon Fay and vice-president Jake May attended a meeting with the heads of Marine Rescue Queensland (MRQ) and other government representatives to discuss the progress of the organisation’s transition under the MRQ umbrella.
During the meeting, Mr Fay was presented with the National Medal, a highly conspicuous commendation recognising his more than 15 years of selfless service to boaties and the western Cape York community.
The medal recognises “long and diligent service by members of recognised government and voluntary organisations that risk their lives or safety to protect or assist the community in enforcement of the law or in times of emergency or natural disaster”.
Mr Fay said it was an honour to receive the award, and said it reflected the efforts and dedication of his entire team.
“It’s an honour to receive such a prestigious medal – I didn’t even know it existed until I received one,” he told Cape York Weekly.
“It’s a dedicated team that I have; a volunteer is a very special type of person; we are different, and we don’t do it for the accolades or any recognition – we do it because we have the compassion to help people, and we do it in our spare time.
“It’s an honour to serve the community, even though we’re quite hidden out the back, and people don’t really hear us or see us until there’s an issue and they need us.”
He added the transition from VMR to MRQ would “open up a whole world of opportunities”, and urged Weipa residents of all ages to consider volunteering their time.
“There is going to be a whole lot more funding behind us for training, and opportunities for people to be able to obtain their coxswains, so that they can be skilled and use that coxswains in the commercial sense for employment opportunities as well,” he explained.
“We’re going to be, hopefully, venturing into schools, and grabbing and training the schoolkids to learn how to come and rescue people, and upskill them and give them employment opportunities in the future.”
The National Medal acknowledges “long and diligent service by members of recognised government and voluntary organisations that risk their lives or safety to protect or assist the community in enforcement of the law or in times of emergency or natural disaster”. Photo: Supplied.
