QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY HONOURS LIST Emergency Services Medal awarded to Unit Commander Greg Davies

The Emergency Services Medal was first awarded in 1999, and recognises distinguished service by members of emergency services across Australia, and people who are involved in emergency management, training or education.

Marine Rescue NSW congratulate our three award recipients on the announcement of this most distinguished honour, and thank them for their dedicated and selfless service to their unit, to Marine Rescue NSW, and to their local community.

GREGORY (GREG) DAVIES

Mr Gregory Davies has given meritorious service to the NSW community as a volunteer member of Marine Rescue Port Macquarie for more than 9 years. His professionalism, commitment and skill have directly contributed to the safety of the boating public on the waterways of Port Macquarie and the Mid North Coast of NSW.

As Unit Commander, Mr Davies displays strong leadership and people skills, a commitment to supporting volunteers and the ability to set goals and manage multiple tasks.

In addition to his leadership attributes, Mr Davies has recorded hundreds of hours of sea time encompassing search and rescue operations within enclosed waters and offshore. These operations vary in terms of seriousness and complexity and on many occasions, he has put himself in harm’s way to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the boating community.

CARON PARFITT

Ms Caron Parfitt has given meritorious service to the NSW community as a volunteer member of Marine Rescue Bermagui since 2013.

With her strong background in boating and offshore sailing, she has enthusiastically developed her knowledge and skills to become, at the time, the first female Marine Rescue NSW Coxswain, enabling her to master our rescue vessels.

Ms Parfitt is a key stakeholder and advocate in the local Bermagui community and engages with the wider community at all levels. During the 2019-20 bushfire emergency, she was tasked to be in operational readiness to assist on water evacuations and she liaised with the local Surf Club during the evacuation process, before finally being evacuated herself.

Throughout her service with MRNSW, Ms Parfitt has been held in the highest regard by the members of the Unit and the boating community. She has an enduring commitment to the mission of Marine Rescue but also, just as importantly, her commitment to the safety, welfare and support of her fellow volunteers.

JAMES (JIM) WRIGHT

Mr James Wright has given meritorious service to the NSW community as a volunteer member of Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie Unit for more than 13 years. His professionalism, commitment and skill have directly contributed to the safety of the boating public on the waterways of the Lake Macquarie region.

In 2010, Mr Wright presided over the merger of the former Australian Volunteer Coast Guard base at Swansea Heads and the former Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol base at Pelican, at the inception of Marine Rescue NSW in 2010. He was Unit Commander from 2010 to 2012 and again from 2014 to 2016. Since 2017, Mr Wright has been a Regional Director, with a seat on the Marine Rescue NSW Board of Directors, providing advice and Governance to the broader Marine Rescue NSW organisation.

During his extensive service with Marine Rescue NSW he has demonstrated a distinguished and exemplary commitment to public service and to the Marine Rescue NSW mission of saving lives on the water.