A young Karratha man has been recognised for his emergency services volunteering work by being presented a prestigious State award.
Zac Hall, 19, was one of four young recipients in the Western Australian Fire and Emergency Services Awards.
Mr Hall was recognised for his outstanding commitments to the State Emergency Service after completing more training in his first 12 months than most have in several years.
Other recipients of the award included Mid West Gascoyne volunteer firefighter Danielle Ryder, Department of Fire and Emergency Services district emergency management adviser Shelby Robinson from the Goldfields Midlands, and Marine Rescue Whitfords volunteer Sophie Robins from Perth.
The WAFES young person of the year will be selected from the winners of each of the four young people awards across volunteer firefighting, marine rescue, SES and DFES.
Mr Hall said he did not expect the SES to be so rewarding.
“Just after cyclone Zelia had come through I saw a bunch of people wearing orange around, and thought ‘I’m doing nothing so I might as well go and make a difference’,” he said.
“I didn’t actually know there was an award for it all, but it’s definitely good to be seen.”
He will join the 35 individual and team award finalists, announced on June 4, at the WAFES Awards gala dinner at Crown Perth, as a finalist for the inaugural WAFES young person of the year Award in September.
This year, two new awards recognising younger members of the fire and emergency services family were added to the WAFES Awards program, being the WAFES young person of the year and DFES young person of the year.
Mr Hall encouraged young Karratha locals to consider joining the SES.
“Go ahead and do it,” he said.
“Even just come down for a night, see if it’s something your speed.”
Acting Emergency Services Minister, Tony Buti said the awards highlighted the dedication many young volunteers had in keeping West Australians safe.
“Every year the WAFES Awards help to acknowledge, thank and celebrate emergency services personnel for the incredible job they do protecting Western Australians, and in September we have the honour of presenting 17 individual, team and young people awards,” he said.
“These four courageous young people have made a lasting and positive impact on our emergency services and community spirit.
“The inaugural WAFES young person of the year award signifies the highest level of achievement and I’m sure they will be an inspiration to future generations.”
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