Northern WA volunteers acknowledged at WAFES Awards

Emergency services champions from the State’s north have been recognised for their outstanding contribution to keeping their local communities safe.

Volunteers from the Kimberley, Pilbara and Mid West Gascoyne collected major prizes at the 2025 WA Fire and Emergency Services (WAFES) Awards gala dinner in Perth last night.

The annual awards recognise the achievements of a band of fire and emergency staff and volunteers who went above and beyond the call of duty over the past year.

There were 45 award finalists across three categories – individual, team and young people – with 15 receiving the top prizes.

Three winners are based in the Kimberley, two in the Pilbara and one in the Mid West Gascoyne, again showing the strength of fire and emergency services in the northern regions.

Karratha Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service received the Firefighting Team Achievement Award for their efforts to travel 130km to rescue a stranded family at risk of rising floodwaters that had washed over a remote road in the Pilbara.

A successful campaign to recruit more local Aboriginal youths to boost Marine Rescue Derby’s capability earned Owen Rouse an Individual Achievement Award.

The effort of the Marine Rescue Carnarvon to rescue a seriously ill sailor stranded in rough seas 70km offshore earned the commendation of the judges. The group took home the Marine Rescue Team Achievement Award.

Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm AFSM said communities across northern Western Australia can be immensely proud of the contribution of volunteers in difficult conditions.

“Every day of the year our dedicated fire and emergency services volunteers strive to protect communities from a range of hazards,” he said.

“They regularly face danger or travel great distances to perform their roles and the people of the north can be thankful for their help in times of need.

“The ability of our brigades, groups and units to help each other has also been a great benefit in a number of responses.

“The work of many volunteers in the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Zelia ensured impacted communities were protected and supply of vital goods was maintained.

“I congratulate the WAFES Awards winners and thank them for their outstanding service.”

NORTHERN WA WINNERS

Marine Rescue Team Achievement Award  
Marine Rescue Carnarvon 

There was little time to waste when Marine Rescue Carnarvon was told a lone sailor was stranded 70kms off the coast, laid low because of appendicitis. While skipper Dean Andreoli prepared the vessel Lady Daph, group members recruited a doctor, three paramedics and two experienced sailors for the rescue. The plan was the doctor and St John WA crew would rescue and tend to the patient while the sailors steered the stricken yacht to Carnarvon to avoid a navigational hazard. The skill of the Lady Daph crew enabled the rescue vessel to extricate the patient, who was in a critical condition. Dean then used his skills and ability to read the sea to minimise the impact of the swell on board, allowing medical care to be administered with steady hands. Without the efforts of Marine Rescue Carnarvon the outcome of the patient could have been much worse.  

Firefighting Team Achievement Award 
Karratha Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service    

On January 20 this year Tropical Cyclone Sean dumped a record 274mm of rain on Karratha in 24 hours. By 8pm, roads in and out of the city were flooded, jeopardising the response capabilities of the Karratha VFRS. At 1am the next day, the brigade received a call for a flood rescue near Fortescue Roadhouse, approximately 130km away. Two females, one male and a six-month-old baby were stuck. Their car had been washed away. Due to rising floodwaters, only the 3.4 tanker was capable of making the journey. After three hours, the crew found the family stranded on the side of the highway with no shelter from the cyclonic winds and torrential rain. They were provided burnover blankets to warm them up for the trip back to Karratha. The team transported the family to Karratha Hospital, ensuring their safety and well-being. 

Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services Individual Achievement Award 
Carlos Veldscholte 
Wyndham Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services  

Camaraderie is a key factor behind every successful emergency services volunteer team. Carlos has taken the strong bond of his colleagues one step further by including families in the life of the unit. He has fostered an environment where family involvement is not only encouraged but celebrated, allowing loved ones to support each other while backing the vital work of the unit. This approach as captain has had a positive impact on team morale and helped strengthen membership numbers in a location more than an hour away from emergency services back-up crews. Carlos’ active participation in the 2025 Kimberley Recruitment Campaign and his appearance on TV to raise awareness has been instrumental in rebuilding VFES membership. His commitment to the team and the community is unwavering, especially when it comes to ensuring the safety and preparedness of the unit in such a geographically isolated region. 

Firefighting Young Person of the Year Award 
Dylan Goldup  
Kununurra Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service  

Dylan’s journey in firefighting has been nothing short of exceptional. He joined Kununurra VFRS in 2021 and, two years later at 19, he took on the challenging role of Apparatus Officer demonstrating a deep understanding of equipment and operational needs. This experience laid the groundwork for him to step into the role of Captain. Taking the role at such a young age highlights Dylan’s natural leadership and his unwavering commitment to his brigade’s success. Recruitment is difficult due to the transient nature of the region, where many residents come and go due to work opportunities or seasonal factors. Dylan, now 20, has remained determined to build a solid, committed team. He has organised several open days and recruitment nights to raise awareness of the brigade’s work and to engage the community. These events have been successful in educating the public about firefighting but also attracting volunteers. 

Marine Rescue Individual Achievement Award 
Owen Rouse 
Marine Rescue Derby 

Teaching the next generation of Marine Services volunteers in the Kimberley has been Owen’s focus over the past few years. Almost half of Derby’s population is of Aboriginal descent but the demographic is under-represented in Marine Rescue volunteer groups. By integrating indigenous cultural knowledge with modern maritime practices, Owen’s program directly addresses this gap. His dream of inspiring the next generation of marine rescuers came true through his self-initiated education program. Thirteen youngsters aged 15–18 years have received training in vessel handling, seamanship and sea survival. Run in collaboration with Derby District High School, Walalakoo Aboriginal Corporation and Mount Gibson Iron, the program featured practical maritime skills that pave the way for students to become future marine rescue volunteers. Owen’s work has provided a capability boost for Marine Rescue Derby and a positive result for the community. 

Peter Keillor Award – State Emergency Service
Connie Reed 
Newman State Emergency Service  

Leading the Newman SES has its own challenges. The unit feels the downside of a FIFO workforce. Maintaining steady membership is a constant focus for Connie to ensure the community has a dedicated SES workforce that is adequately equipped and trained. Connie keeps the unit together and has strong relationships with community leaders, local government, transport contractors, mining companies and air services. If the unit needs something done, Connie can organise it. She also has a direct connection to remote communities across the Pilbara. Connie leads a group of volunteers on pre-wet season information sessions for the main communities in the Western Desert region. This requires high level planning with many stakeholders, including communities, DFES, WA Police, local government, volunteer services and St John WA. These visits are arduous but supported by Connie’s organising skills, they have positive outcomes.