The Rotary Club of Caboolture and the Lions Club of Morayfield and District have celebrated the dedication of local first responders at this year’s Combined Services Award Dinner.
Since 2015, the Rotary and Lions Clubs have awarded an Officer of the Year from the Queensland Police Service (QPS) – Moreton District, Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) – Moreton District, Queensland Fire Service (QFS) – Northern Zone, and the State Emergency Service (SES) and Rural Fire Service (RFS).
Recognising First Responders’ Community Efforts
This year, the Officer of the Year from the QPS was presented to Constable Zachary Russ, who was nominated alongside Senior Sergeant Don Schouten and Sergeant Kevin O’Hanlon.
Zak, a general duties officer at Bribie Island Police Station, said it was a “real surprise” to win.
“I was against some candidates who are experienced and well into their policing careers,” he said.
“Just listening to some of the nominations and the great work going on in the community as emergency services – and to hear about the community work that everyone is engaged in is amazing and mind-boggling.
“No one works in emergency services for the accolades but it’s certainly a really touching acknowledgement that what you are doing is good.”
Zac was acknowledged for his community engagement efforts, including working with youth through the Bribie Big Arvo and Blue Edge programs, as well as coaching rugby league for Burpengary Jets and North Lakes Oztag.
Other award recipients included paramedic Jamie Hibbert, honoured for his contributions to the QAS Local-area Referral and Assessment Unit (LARU); Station Officer Tom Simpson from the QFS, recognised for his leadership in firefighting operations; and Volunteer Community Educator for the RFS Christine Howitt, for her commitment to educating the community on fire safety and preparedness.
The selection process for the Officer of the Year awards involves nominations submitted by each agency, with candidates recognised by their peers for their suitability. The Lions and Rotary Clubs review these nominations to make the final decision.
State Member for Morayfield Mark Ryan, a sponsor of the event, thanked the Rotary and Lions Clubs for recognising the contributions of local first responders.
“We’re very fortunate to have such outstanding citizens serving our community as police officers, firefighters, paramedics, SES members and other emergency services personnel,” he said. “To recognise them on behalf of our community is an important way that we can show our thanks and appreciation.”
Read more stories from The Caboolture Guide print magazine here:
- Caboolture Connect: Updates from the Community
- What’s Hot Around Town
- The Legacy of Narangba Train Station
- Swing Into A Rockabilly Wonderland
- New Women’s Health Hub Opening in Caboolture
- A Carnival of Fun for All Ages
- Expansion Time for Caboolture Neighbourhood Centre
- Tis the season to be jolly!
- A Spiral Away From the Top
- Carrot, Zucchini and Date Muffins (a Weight Watchers recipe)
- Buckle Up for Bulls, Broncs and Bands at Triple B Rodeo
- Find Help for Life’s Problems at Zonta Wellbeing Expo for Women and Girls
- Shimmy and Sparkle at Rhythms of Mayyada
