A moving speech by Jeff Tougher, the father of Steven Tougher, the paramedic stabbed to death in the car park of Campbelltown McDonalds, was the highlight of the 2025 First Responders awards.
Mr Tougher revealed how his young son wanted to be a first responder since he was knee high to a grasshopper.
“You’d be sitting on the lounge, and he would be tapping your knees to check your reflexes – he was fun to be around.
“He had business cards made and gave them out to everyone in the street. The cards read: If you need first aid, call Steve.
“Steven also used to make his own first aid kits, and give them out at Christmas parties in our street.
“I could never find a band-aid because Steven was putting them in his first aid kits,’’ Mr Tougher said.
“Steven applied to join the St John’s Ambulance, but wasn’t old enough so he fibbed his age.
“All he ever wanted was to be in the care business,’’ Mr Tougher told the awards audience, most of whom were first responders, including paramedics.
After a brilliant career as a nurse, Steven finally realised his dream to become a paramedic in 2022.
Just two years later, on April 13, 2024, his family received a fateful call telling them “Steven’s been stabbed’’.
He had been rushed to Liverpool Hospital.
The family was driven there and on arrival were greeted by two police officers, one of whom said to them: “I regret to inform you your son has deceased’’.
When Mr Tougher finished speaking, he received a wonderful applause that slowly turned into an emotional standing ovation from every person in the auditorium at Wests Leagues Leumeah.
It took a few moments before everyone was ready to return to the awards ceremony.
This was the third time the First Responders awards were held by the Rotary clubs of Macarthur.
They recognise the best and bravest first responders both in professional services such as the NSW Fire and Rescue and the NSW Ambulance, SES, and the NSW Rural Fire Service.
Service personnel are nominated by colleagues, Rotarians and members of the general public.
A panel of independent judges assess nominees on the following key criterion: Community service over and above the call of normal duties, which best exemplifies Rotary’s motto of “service above self’’.
Greg Wright, a NSW Fire and Rescue zone commander based at St Andrews, was named salaried responder of the year,
“His leadership, dedication, and selflessness in serving the community are living examples of the values that Rotary holds,’’ said the citation for his nomination.
“As a Zone Commander, Greg Wright is at the forefront of responding to major fires, emergencies, and disasters in his jurisdiction. This involves long hours, significant personal risk, and immense pressure to protect lives, property, and the environment’’.
Rob Johinke, a police officer who is also a volunteer at the Catherine Field Rural Fire Brigade, was named volunteer first responder of the year in Macarthur.
Mr Johinke joined the brigade in 2018 and is currently its crew leader. He attends numerous fire calls throughout the year and helps with brigade training.
He will also attend local car accidents, structural fires and bushfires whenever he is available, as well as hazard reduction burns and participates in local community engagement events.
Mr Johinke, who also helps to trains and asses volunteers, received the National Emergency Medal for his response to the 2019/20 bushfires.
