QLDIn August this year, the Governor-General of Australia awarded a record 44 National Emergency Medals to the volunteers of Brisbane Coast Guard, for their critical work saving lives and property throughout the worst of the Brisbane Flood Emergency in January 2011.
This is a record – the largest number of Federal medals ever awarded to any Coast Guard Flotilla, in the 50-year history of the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association.
Brisbane’s Lord Mayor, Graham Quirk, then honoured the Manly-based Flotilla with a Civic Reception in Brisbane City Hall, at which their medals were presented. The Lord Mayor said this was also a record – the first Civic Reception ever granted to any Coast Guard Flotilla in Australia.
Ian Ratcliffe, Coast Guard’s South Queensland Squadron Commodore, acted as Master of Ceremonies at this event, while Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta MP and Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk handed out the medals.
In his welcoming address before a large crowd of Coast Guard members and friends, the Lord Mayor said, “Brisbane Coast Guard volunteers are no strangers to floods. The Manly Flotilla was the only volunteer marine rescue unit to operate in the disastrous 1974 Brisbane Floods. In January 2011, they were the first volunteer emergency services asset activated by Brisbane Water Police, when the floods were declared a national emergency in the early hours of 10th January.
“Fotilla Commander Steve Fleming immediately began calling his members to action. Forty-five Brisbane Coast Guard volunteers responded, leaving jobs and families behind as they raced to the flotilla base in Manly. From there, Commander Fleming and Deputy Commander Allen Penman assigned search and rescue tasks in the most dangerous areas of the raging Brisbane River, and as far inland as the flooded town of Ipswich.”
“These local volunteers remained on duty day and night, sometimes at great risk to their own lives, until the emergency was officially ended. The Governor-General agreed this demanded considerable personal bravery and entailed heroic effort, and she therefore awarded all 44 Coast Guard volunteers National Emergency Medals for their efforts.”
The Lord Mayor concluded his address by saying: “These volunteers received no pay nor reward for their bravery during the floods. They deserve these medals and we owe them a lot more for their courage and dedication. They are true heroes, one and all."
Last time the judging committee sat at the Honours and Awards Secretariat in Canberra, they considered 1,036 nominations for this medal. They recommended only 75 to the Governor General, which is only 7 percent. Over half of these went to Brisbane Coast Guard volunteers at Manly. The National Emergency Medal is a very difficult medal to earn indeed.
Volunteering Queensland commends Brisbane Coast Guard volunteers for their critical contribution.