AUGUSTA Margaret River State Emergency Service Unit and its volunteer Wayne Credaro are finalists in this year’s SES Awards.
The unit up against Kununurra SES and three members of the Tom Price SES for the Team Achievement Award.
Wayne is one of three finalists for the Peter Keilor Award, awarded to a volunteer who has gone beyond the call of duty in demonstrating a high level of dedication and commitment to the SES.
Nicknamed “The Human Forklift”, Wayne is the unit’s training manager for Margaret River, the lower South West and South West. He said he joined the SES after “three years of hassling” from a friend in the unit, got “hooked”, and has been with it for about seven years.
He was one of the local volunteers who helped in Queensland last year after Cyclone Yasi. He was presented with a medal earlier this year for 15 years of service with FESA and the SES.
“It’s a pretty good recognition,” he said of being a finalist, adding that it was only due to his fellow volunteers that he could make his contribution.
As well, Margaret River Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service brigades are among 12 FESA volunteer and career firefighter and brigade finalists in this year’s WA Firefighting awards.
The Margaret River brigades are finalists for the Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service of Western Australia Award, celebrating the achievements of volunteer firefighters.
The Shire of Augusta-Margaret River Bush Fire Brigades are also finalists in the Murray Lang Bush Fire Service of Western Australia Award. The Murray Lang is awarded to an outstanding individual or brigade.
All awards will be presented in November.
