A local Marine Rescue veteran has taken out one of the state’s most prestigious emergency services award.
Eden Marine Rescue radio operator and Deputy Commander Nancy Weatherman was named NSW Officer of the Year at the Rotary NSW Emergency Services Community Award presentations on Saturday.
Marine Rescue NSW Commissioner Alex Barrell said the award recognises emergency services personnel who go above and beyond the call of duty, and Ms Weatherman was a worthy recipient.
“Nancy’s been an outstanding leader at Marine Rescue Eden,” Commissioner Barell said.
“She works tirelessly behind the scenes with both fundraising and administration, to make sure that the volunteer network in Eden – our lifesaving capability – is there to support the local community.”
Ms Weatherman, who has served the far south coast boating community for 11 years, said she was proud but humbled by the recognition.
“(I’m) very honoured, (but) I’m thinking that it’s taken a team to get me where I am tonight. It wasn’t just me, it was everyone at Eden that helped me get here.”
She said the real honour was the privilege of helping to keep people safe.
“They (boaters) know that someone’s got their back (and) if something happens, I’m the link between them having a bad day, and getting home safely.”
“Marine Rescue NSW Radio Operators are the people who take the call when things don’t go the way a boater had hoped.”
Commissioner Barrell paid tribute to the dedication and skill of Ms Weatherman and fellow NSW finalists, including Merimbula Deputy Unit Commander and Coxswain Sonia Teston.
Runners-up also included Port Jackson Training Systems Officer Kelli Jovanovski, Port Macquarie Coxswain and Maintenance Manager David Bigeni (BA-GENIE) and Youth Scholarship finalist Port Jackson’s Sophie Baker.
He also praised the 3,400 volunteers across the state who give up their time to support of the NSW boating community.
“Boaters … can rest assured that Marine Rescue NSW volunteers are here 24/7, 365 days of the year to make sure that they can enjoy the state’s waterways safely,” Commissioner Barrell said.
