Over the weekend, volunteers and staff from across the Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES), were honoured for their work during the 2019-2020 bushfires.

The VICSES members were awarded the National Emergency Medal by His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DCS, Governor General of Australia, in recognition of their sustained and significant service during that event.

Honourable David Hurley AC DCS, Governor General of Australia presents a VICSES member with the National Emergency Medal on Sunday, 5 March 2023 (credit: Blair Dellemijn)

On Saturday, 57 recipients and 80 guests from Hume Region attended a ceremony at the Performing Arts and Convention Centre in Wangaratta.

On Sunday, presentations were made to VICSES Grampians Region, Metro Region, and Victorian Head Office staff and volunteers with 129 recipients awarded throughout the day.

On 13 April, a similar ceremony will be held for VICSES staff and volunteers in the Loddon Mallee Region.

The 2019 - 2020 bushfires was declared a nationally significant emergency on 2 December 2020, which allowed the VICSES staff and volunteers to be put forward for nomination for a medal or clasp. Nominees for the medal receive a clasp if they have already received the medal.

During the 2019 - 2020 bushfires, VICSES staff and volunteers were deployed to Incident Control Centres set up to manage the response in the affected areas. They also worked closely as part of a multi-agency team, alongside emergency management colleagues, at the State Control Centre.

The event is also an opportunity to thank and acknowledge family and loved ones, who enable our volunteers and staff to consistently respond to community need during times of emergency.

Congratulations to our VICSES staff and volunteers for their necessary work during our most challenging times. This award from the people of Australia rightly acknowledges and memorialises their contribution through adversity for our communities, and for our nation.