RESCA

Rotary Emergency Services Community Awards
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Australian Emergency Services Community Awards
The Emergency Service Community Awards are designed to recognise our emergency service personnel who have reflected the Rotary motto of “Service above Self”.


Emergency Services Community Awards patrons:
His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) and
Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley
2020 National Winners - click here   - Previous Winners here
Nominations for 2021 will open in March
Select Your State
Please select your state to learn more about Rotary Emergency Service Community Awards in your state or territory
Currently only ACT and NSW take part
ACT
NOMINATIONS       
Rotary  Emergency Services Community Awards (RESCA) ask the Community to help us recognise outstanding Community  Service performed by paid and volunteer members of Emergency Service  Agencies through the Rotary Emergency Services Community Awards (RESCA)

Rotary is seeking the unsung heroes in your communities that are  often the quiet achievers, never asking for recognition but making a  significant difference in your community.

Emergency Service Personnel can be nominated by colleague, family and any members of the community.  Panels of independent judges will then assess nominees on three (3) key criteria:
  • Community service over and above the call of normal duties which best exemplifies Rotary’s motto of Service Above Self (i.e. community involvement when they are not working in their normal roles).
  • Personal attributes
  • Contribution to their organisation
Nominations when open are submitted by selecting the nomination button below

NOMINATIONS for 2021 will open in March

2020 National Winners

Susith Adikari – ACT Ambulance
Susith is an intensive care paramedic and has dedicated 13 years to the Emergency Services for both domestic and international causes, most notably the British Columbia Bushfires (Canada) in 2017 and the recent Canberra bushfires in 2020. Along with his duty as a primary responder with the ACT Ambulance Service (ACTAS), Susith is passionate about disseminating the wealth of knowledge and experience he has acquired over the years to help develop the next crop of graduate paramedics for ACT. With an altruistic commitment towards protecting the community, Susith completed a Masters in Disaster Resilience and Sustainable Development to equip himself to face the changing times and challenges. He has held numerous positions as a member of the ACTAS and the ACT Rural Fire Services (RFS).
WENDY ROBERTS – Volunteer – Shoalhaven
Longevity in emergency services is commendable, but Wendy, having chalked up 58 years, might have set a record. A volunteer with the NSW RFS, based at Vincentia, Wendy has helped with welfare, logistics, fundraising and attended many fire incidents. She has been a member of the Erowal Bay Brigade, now the Crossroads Brigade. She has also devoted herself to the Jervis Bay Lions Club (38 years), Girl Guides, Camp Quality, Meals on Wheels and helped many residents with welfare needs. She has helped people with disabilities, and delivered meals to the socially isolated. In her remaining time, she has worked for the local “Litter Busters” to clean up the environment.
Beneficiary of Awards

Australian Rotary Health
PhD Research Scholarship into PTSD in Emergency Services Workers
Emergency Service officers are regularly exposed to traumatic  events, which they can repeatedly re-experience through nightmares or  flashbacks. It is estimated that 10 per cent of current emergency  service workers have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
The first set of national guidelines for the treatment and diagnosis  of PTSD in frontline emergency service workers was recently released by a  group of Australian clinicians and researchers. The guidelines explore  how to treat PTSD in emergency workers and reduce symptoms, as well as  the best ways to ensure the person can be transitioned back to work.
To complement these initiatives, Australian Rotary Health has  announced it will be co-funding with Rotary District 9675 (funding  provided by RESCA), a Funding Partner PhD Scholarship for research into  PTSD in emergency services.
Further  research will look at in-depth ways workers experience PTSD and  alleviate the mental health burden on our emergency services.
 
Latest information on PhD sholarship can be found here
More information about Australian Rotary Health

Australian Rotary Health
PO Box 3455
Parramatta, NSW 2124
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CONTACT INFO

ACT Chair: Steve Hill Past District Governor
          sphill1617@gmail.com.au or 0412854047

NSW Chair: Dot Hennessey
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