Long-serving Marine Rescue Ballina volunteer Phillip Causley has taken out the Marine Rescue NSW agency award at the 2023 Rotary Districts of NSW Emergency Services Community Awards, held at Bankstown Sports Club.
Mr Causley was presented the award on Saturday night, supported by fellow Marine Rescue NSW finalists, Jervis Bay Grants Officer Leona Curran, Brunswick Unit Commander Jonathan Wilcock and Merimbula’s Stewart Dietrich.
Mr Causley has more than a decade of experience with Marine Rescue NSW, after joining the Ballina unit in 2011. He has progressed through the ranks from crew to Coxswain and has also held the role of Deputy Unit Commander.
Mr Causley also assisted with last year’s flood emergency response in the Northern Rivers and NSW Central West.
He said he was surprised to receive the Marine Rescue NSW agency award.
‘I saw that all four of us (Marine Rescue NSW finalists) had our own credits and it was a surprise. I’d like to thank of all of my fellow unit members. It’s always a team effort for everything we do and also my family and friends that I’m disappearing from all the time.
‘It’s very overwhelming (winning the award) but I’m very happy about it,’ Mr Causley said.
Deserving winner
Marine Rescue NSW Commissioner Alex Barrell said Mr Causley was a deserving winner.
‘I’m so proud of our four finalists and really proud of Phillip Causley as Marine Rescue NSW member of the year.
‘It has been a really great night to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partner agencies and celebrate the wonderful work of our emergency services throughout New South Wales,’ said Commissioner Barrell.
Marine Rescue NSW is a volunteer based not-for-profit professional organisation dedicated to keeping boaters safe on the water and supporting local communities.
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