After 17 years of recognising outstanding police officers, the Rotary clubs of Macarthur will now also honour first responders with a new awards night.
The inaugural presentation of First Responders Awards will take place at Wests Leagues Leumeah on Wednesday, April 5.
The aim is to recognise those first responders – both volunteers and salaried – who go beyond and above the call of duty.
Or as the Rotary motto says, those first responders who put “service above self’’.
Five awards will go to the best first responder from each of the services included in the awards: Fire and Rescue NSW, NSW Ambulance, NSW Rural Fire Service, SES and St john Ambulance.
There will be two Macarthur First Responder of the Year awards, one for a volunteer and another for a salaried officer.
The agency winners will automatically qualify for the state awards, also run by Rotary in NSW.
A spokesperson for Rotary clubs of Macarthur said the police awards will continue as a separate entity.
“It is important that our emergency services personnel from the three local government areas of Campbelltown, Camden and Wollondilly know how much they are appreciated, and these awards are a way of saying thank you,’’ a combined Rotary spokesperson said.
“The awards recognise the essential job that our first responders in both paid and volunteer positions do in protecting people and property in our communities.’’
The First Responders Awards is a joint community project of eight local Rotary clubs: Ingleburn, Campbelltown, Macarthur Sunrise, Gregory Hills, Camden, Narellan, Wollondilly North and Picton.
Nominations have now opened for these exciting new awards and can be lodged by first responders’ colleagues, Rotarians and members of the public.
Nominations will be accepted until February 27.
For enquiries or to nominate someone visit the combined Rotary clubs website here. Nominations can be submitted via email to macarthurrotaryclubs@gmail.com
