Combined Service Clubs Host First Responders Officer of the Year Awards

On Monday, 30th September 2024, the Combined Service Clubs of the Lions Club of Caboolture North, Lions Club of Morayfield & District, and Rotary Club of Caboolture held their annual First Responders Officer of the Year Awards. The event, which took place at the Best Western North Lakes venue, aimed to recognise and honour the brave men and women who serve the community as first responders across various services across the City of Moreton Bay.

• What: First Responders Awards celebrate heroes.
• Photos: See all of the photos below.
• This event was supported by Join the Adventure and JtA.LIVE INNOVATIVE MEDIA | AUDIO • VISUAL • LIGHTING | Corporate – Festivals – Education – Sports.

The ceremony commenced with a welcome from Eric Wood of the Rotary Club of Caboolture, followed by the introduction of the night’s proceedings by Emcee Bob Atkinson A.O. The awards, presented to finalists from the Queensland Fire Department (QFD), Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS), Queensland Police Service (QPS), State Emergency Service (SES), and the Rural Fire Service (RFS), highlighted the dedication and service to community of these frontline workers.

Queensland Fire Department (QFD) Award

QFD finalists included Station Officers Jason Anderson, Lindsay Spencer, and Tom Simpson. Acting Assistant Commissioner Kevin Reading presented the award to Station Officer Tom Simpson, recognising his exceptional leadership and dedication to firefighting operations.

Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) Award

Advanced Care Paramedic II (Extended Scope) Jamie Hibbert took home the top honour for the Queensland Ambulance Service, with District Director Lisa Dibley presenting the award. Jamie was celebrated for his outstanding contribution to the Local-area Referral and Assessment Unit (LARU).

“Jamie has worked across Queensland to develop LARU paramedics and has undertaken a substantial body of work to create a document to help LARU paramedics access the appropriate referral pathways for their patients,” stated a post from QAS on their Facebook page.

Finalists Jo Hall and Olivia Wilson were also recognised for their extraordinary service, with Jo Hall commended for her 21 years of dedication and Olivia Wilson honoured for her work with the Metro North Indigenous Liaison Network.

Queensland Police Service (QPS) Award

The Queensland Police Service saw finalists Sergeant Kevin O’Hanlon, Constable Zachary Russ, and Senior Sergeant Don Schouten competing for the top award.

Acting Chief Superintendent Adam Guild introduced the finalists, and Assistant Commissioner Glenn Morris presented the award to Constable Zachary Russ for his exceptional work in community safety and police operations.

State Emergency Service (SES) and Rural Fire Service (RFS) Award

The SES and RFS combined category recognised Senior Field Operations Member Carl Edwards and Volunteer Community Educator Christine Howitt.

Business Support Officer for the RFS, Savanah Aylwood, introduced the finalists, and Brisbane Region Area Controller Tara Duncan presented the award to Christine Howitt for her tireless efforts in educating the community on fire safety and preparedness.

Honouring Our First Responders

The night was a tribute to the brave men and women who serve on the frontline, providing essential services in times of crisis.

State Labor Member for Morayfield, Mark Ryan, praised the event on his Facebook page, stating, “Thank you to our local Lions and Rotary Clubs for recognising our outstanding personnel from Queensland Police Service, Queensland Fire Department, State Emergency Service, and Queensland Ambulance Service.”

Federal LNP Member for Longman, Terry Young, echoed these sentiments: “It was an honour to attend the First Responders Officer of the Year Awards.

“The awards recognised and paid tribute to those in our community that serve on the frontline.”

Councillor for Division 12, Tony Latter, also expressed his admiration for the night: “First responders do vital work in our communities, and it was fantastic to join with Rotary Caboolture, Caboolture North Lions Club, and Morayfield & District Lions Club to acknowledge the incredible work they do.”

The event was made possible by sponsors, including State Labor Member Mark Ryan, Federal LNP Member Terry Young, Moreton Bay Councillor Sandra Ruck, Bunnings, Lion Bob Elliott, and Moonshine Hairdressing Salon.

As the evening concluded, it was clear that the community’s gratitude for these first responders runs deep. The Combined Service Clubs ensured that those who dedicate their lives to keeping others safe were recognised and celebrated for their unwavering commitment.