Remarkable VICSES leaders honoured with Emergency Services Medal

A pair of Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) volunteers representing communities from opposite ends of the state have had their service commemorated as part of the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours, awarded the rare Emergency Services Medal (ESM) in celebration of their undying commitment to community safety.

Each boasting more than a decade of vital service to their communities in times of crisis, VICSES Rochester Unit pillar Judith Gledhill ESM and VICSES Sorrento Unit mainstay Mark Daw ESM join an exclusive group of VICSES recipients acknowledged for their calmness in a crisis and their steadfast support of Victorian communities.

Having joined her local unit in 2009, Judith quickly rose through the ranks before formally taking over the role of Unit Controller following record local flooding in January 2011, after only 18 months as an emergency responder.

Her experience during this flooding laid important groundwork for her role as Rochester sector commander during the devastating October 2022 floods, where Judith oversaw the establishment of community sandbag collection points, the sandbagging of critical local infrastructure and the coordination of doorknocking and evacuation of local residents.

While others evacuated the area, Judith was one of two members to remain in the township throughout the flooding event, supporting community through extreme conditions and liaising directly with residents, partner agencies and media to ensure clear communication of emergency messaging and coordinated action throughout.

Flood preparedness has been a cornerstone of Judith’s VICSES involvement, lending her experience and expertise to the development of the organisation’s statewide ‘Bag it, Block it, Lift it, Leave’ campaign by developing lesson plans, presentations and additional resources to support implementation across diverse communities.

Judith’s experiences during the 2011 Rochester floods also shaped as a driving force behind her involvement in the Resilient Rochester Project, an initiative which was recognised as part of the 2021 Resilient Australia awards for its work empowering local community members to make evacuation decisions in times of flood through the use of property flood-height magnets linked directly to the Campaspe River gauge.

Outside of her lead role in local flood response, Judith has also proved a highly-skilled first responder, proficient in disciplines such as search and rescue, road crash rescue, storm response and command functions, highlighting the integral role she has played in local emergency response over more than 15 years.

Approaching seven years as Unit Controller of his local unit and having attended more than 3,000 requests for assistance (RFAs) across the Mornington Peninsula and beyond, Mark Daw has proved an exceptional leader, coordinator and first responder since joining VICSES in 2012.

Often tasked with responding to time-critical emergencies in isolated and difficult-to-navigate terrain, Mark’s exceptional operational awareness and care for his volunteers is consistently showcased across the peninsula, effecting efficient cliffside rescues from Mount Martha to Cape Schanck, often as part of a multi-agency response.

In January 2025, Mark became the face of a complex landslide event at McCrae which gained national attention, coordinating VICSES resources, supporting the safety of residents and emergency personnel and fronting the media several times through his role as Incident Controller.

For 10 consecutive days, Mark showcased calm and decisive leadership while liaising directly with those affected about ongoing safety risks and access restrictions to the site. In a period of anxiety for the community, Mark’s leadership improved public understanding of the hazard and its risks and strengthened community trust in the overall emergency response.

An accredited road crash rescue operator, Mark has also leant his expertise to the training of his fellow volunteers in the discipline, supporting initiatives across Southern, Bayside and Eastern Metropolitan regions and Women in Rescue events.

His commitment to road safety is further evidenced through his work with the Teenagers Road Accident Group (TRAG), a community initiative which sees Mark coordinate VICSES volunteers to speak with and assist with traffic management, parking support and safety oversight for more than 3,000 high school students across the peninsula each year.

Both Judith and Mark exemplify VICSES’ role in their respective communities, showcasing incredible leadership, exceptional care in times of crisis and a proactive approach to keeping communities safe in advance of the next emergency.

A heartfelt congratulations to each of our newest ESM recipients and thank you for all you do to keep Victorians safe.

Quotes attributable to Alistair Drayton, VICSES Chief Officer Operations:

“Both Judith and Mark embody what it means to be a VICSES volunteer. They showcase exceptional skill and care in their response, are driven by keeping their community safe, are conscientious leaders who consider all aspects of an emergency and are cornerstones of their communities.

“They serve their communities with conviction and tireless commitment and for that we deeply thank them. This acknowledgement is richly deserved and a testament to each member’s remarkable legacy of emergency response.”