Courageous emergency services personnel who lost their lives on duty have been honoured at a memorial service at Mrs Macquarie’s Chair today.
Minister for Emergency Services, Jihad Dib joined Commissioner of the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS), Rob Rogers and Acting Commissioner of the NSW State Emergency Service (SES), Deb Platz at the 24th NSW Emergency Service Volunteers Memorial Service to commemorate the fallen.
The names of RFS firefighters – John Holmes, Leo Fransen and Dale Bowles, and SES volunteer, Troy Mooney – were this year added to the memorial.
“Today is an opportunity to pause and honour the memory of the men and women whose names have been added to the Volunteer Memorial this year. Their service will never be forgotten,” said Minister Dib.
“The loss of these four dedicated individuals is a tragedy for their families and friends, as well as the communities they helped protect in their time as volunteers.
“While the annual Memorial service is a time for reflection, it is also a time to take pride in the fact that across NSW, members of the community selflessly commit themselves to the service of their neighbours.”
There are now 119 names engraved on the memorial, which was established in 1999 to honour the fallen men and women from the state’s volunteer emergency services, including the NSW Rural Fire Service, NSW State Emergency Service, Marine Rescue NSW and the NSW Volunteer Rescue Association.
“I would like to personally thank the families of our volunteers, who sacrifice time with their loved ones so they can serve the community,” said Commissioner Rogers.
“Whilst today is a day of mourning, it is also a day to recognise the dedication and sacrifice of these personnel who lost their lives protecting communities across NSW.
“Mallanganee Senior Deputy Captain John Holmes, Diamond Beach Captain Leo Fransen and Mid Murray Group Captain Dale Bowles have each left an indelible mark upon their brigades, their communities and the wider RFS family.”
Acting Commissioner Platz described Troy Mooney as a dedicated SES member.
“Today, we paused to remember those members who have made the ultimate sacrifice in aid of their communities,” she said.
“We paused to honour their devotion to duty and to support their family members during the most difficult of circumstances.
“Troy Mooney was a dedicated member of the St Georges Basin unit, who served for many years alongside his wife, before he tragically passed away following floods in 2022.”
There are about 90,000 volunteers across these agencies in NSW who give their time to serving communities across the state.
