Emergency services personnel from country NSW have been recognised for their selfless work giving back to the community in times of need.
The following emergency services personnel have been recognised in the Australia Day Honours List:
Australian Fire Service Medal - NSW Rural Fire Service
Superintendent Kevin Charles Adams has provided distinguished service for over 20 years. He was initially employed by the Murrumbidgee Shire Council before moving to the NSW Government and becoming the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area zone manager in 2003. Superintendent Adams manages the NSW Rural Fire Service in Griffith, Leeton, Murrumbidgee, Narrandera, Carrathool and Hay.
Group Captain Peter Warwick Conn joined the NSW Rural Fire Service as a volunteer firefigther with the Comobella Bridage in 1979 and was appointed as Group Captain in 2001.
Captain Harmen Kampman joined the Candelo Brigade of the NSW Rural Fire Service in 1960 and was appointed Captain in 1975.
Superintendent Jayson Anthony McKellar joined the NSW Rural Fire Service in 1986 as a cadet member of the Blue Mountains Headquarters Brigade. In 1994 he was successful in obtaining a full time position with the NSW Rural Fire Service and managed the amalgamations of several Districts to form the Hunter Zone and Lower Hunter Zone.
Superintendent McKellar commenced as an Air Observer in 1997 and worked with aircraft at major fires including the Canberra Bushfires in 2003.
As an Air Attack Supervisor he has gained the respect of the aviation and emergency service community as one of the more experienced bushfire aviation officers in Australia.
Group Captain Craig Anthony Robertson commenced service with the Engadine Brigade in 1983 and has provided 31 years of continuous and outstanding service.
He has been a Group Captain for 11 years, including major fires in Sydney (1994), Wollongong (2001), Canberra (2003) and multiple major emergencies in NSW.
Group Captain Thomas John Sturgeon (known as John) joined the Lidster Brigade as a teenager under the supervision of this father. He has completed over 50 years of service with the NSW Rural Fire Service.
He was integral in establishing containment lines at the emergency declared fire at Mount Canobolas in 1986 and in the formation of the joint Bushfire Management Committee comprising the Orange, Blayney and Cabonne.
Firefighter Ralph Frank Walker joined the NSW Rural Fire Service in 1993. He has served the Dondingalong/Sherwood and Willawarrin Brigades and was appointed Captain in 1996 and held the position until 2013.
Australian Fire Service Medal - Fire and Rescue NSW
Captain Andre Van Hoeck joined Fire and Rescue NSW in 1980 and was promoted to the rank of Captain in 2002. He has been proactive in the Bellingen community, promoting community education and fire safety messages in an effort to reduce the number and impact of fires and emergencies in the area.
Emergency Services Medal - NSW State Emergency Service
Patricia Kathleen Crowe joined the NSW State Emergency Service in 1964 and has a wealth of knowledge of local flood threats and networks within the region. Patricia received NSW State Emergency Service Life Membership in 2010 and a Unit Citation for Excellence in 2009 for managing over seven flood operations in one year.
Gerald (Garry) George Burnage joined the NSW State Emergency Service in 1984 and has provided 30 years of volunteer service to the organisation. He has been the Local Controller of the Ballina Unit for over 27 years. He has been a trainer and assessor in road crash rescue and first aid for over 25 years.
Emergency Services Medal - NSW Volunteer Rescue Association
Graham Frederick Milgate joined the Volunteer Rescue Association in 1986 and has been stationed in Narromine since 1989. He has been the President of the Narromine Rescue Squad for 12 years. He was given Honorary Life Membership of the Narromine Rescue Squad in July 2010 for his outstanding contribution and dedication to the squad and community.
Australian Police Medal - NSW Police Force
Superintendent Clinton Murray Pheeney joined the NSW Police Force as a Cadet in 1975. His leadership came to the fore in 2011 when Senior Constable David Rixon VA was murdered while on duty in Tamworth. Superintendent Pheeney has been the Commander of the Oxley Local Area Command since 2008.
Sergeant John Charles Keough was attested as a Probationary Constable in 1972 and initially stationed at Waverly. In his 42 years as an operational General Duties officer he has also been stationed at Junee, Lismore and Byron Bay. Sergeant Keough is currently the Team Leader of the Tweed/Byron Local Area Command.
Superintendent Karen Leanne Webb joined the NSW Police Force and was attested as a Probationary Constable in 1987, initially stationed at Castle Hill. Superintendent Webb was designated as a Detective in 1991 and has served in the criminal investigation field at Castle Hill, Dapto, Warilla, the North West Region Crime Squad and the Drug Enforcement Agency.
Senior Sergeant Leslie Michael Nugent joined the NSW Police Force and was attested as a Probationary Constable in 1971, initially stationed at North Sydney. Senior Sergeant Nugent has spent the majority of his policing career undertaking traffic related duties in rural NSW. He has distinguished himself with his involvement in the local community and developed a strong link between police and young people, particularly the local Aboriginal community. Senior Sergeant Nugent is the Crime Coordinator at the Albury Local Area Command.
Inspector Bruce Sydney McGregor joined the NSW Police Force and was attested as a Probationary Constable in 1979, initially stationed at Campsie and has worked in Newcastle, Cessnock, Kurri Kurri, Cessnock, Maitland, Sydney, Newcastle and Parkes. He received the Rotary Customer Service Excellence Award in 2013, recognising his distinguished service in the NSW Police Force and in 2014 he received an award for the Aboriginal Issues Officer of the Year.
