CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS
Mr GEE (Calare) (09:30): Today, I pay tribute to the extraordinary service of the community heroes of the Lithgow Volunteer Rescue Association. The association, also known as the Lithgow and District Rescue Squad, is a volunteer based emergency service in our electorate of Calare. It's members have been serving the Lithgow district and surrounding areas since 1981 as primary responders.
It's a vital part of the community's emergency response network, operating 24/7 to respond at a moment's notice, ready to lend a 'helping hand anywhere, anytime'. That's their motto. The squad handles a wide range of land based incidents, including car accidents, bush searches and animal rescues.
In the last financial year, they responded to 78 accidents, rescued or assisted 75 people and recovered seven people who'd sadly lost their lives. Every year, they engage in thousands of hours of volunteer work, spending anywhere from four hours to, in some instances, up to two days responding to incidents. They play a crucial role in community safety and support.
Today, I would like to acknowledge and thank their dedicated volunteers for the incredible service they provide to our community: Ian Bennet, who started volunteering with Lithgow VRA in 1981 and served as captain for 25 years; Nathan Mas-Stephens, who was recently announced as the new Lithgow VRA captain; Paul Bennet, who recently received the long-service clasp for 25 years service; Sallyann Bennet, who recently received her long-service clasp for 20 years service; Jean Bennet, who recently stepped down as secretary after 16 years, and also Andred Wilson, Aaron Wilson, Patrick Gennari, Angus McIntyre, Lesley Langbein, Emma Mason, Madeline Eneberg, Scott Moores, Rhianna Garland, Luke Chiam, Beth Thompson, Shannon Johnson, Glen Johnson, Stephen Phillips, Al Warild, Briane McCarthy, Brooke Noland, Chris Joyce, Emily Strange, Kevin O'Connor, Zachary Mason, Sally Romanous, Chris Perry and Alison Fenton.
I also wish to acknowledge the seven members who received a VRA Rescue New South Wales Commissioner's Unit Citation Award in September of this year for their exceptional efforts during a catastrophic and tragic accident on the Great Western Highway in 2023. Those members are Ian Bennet, Nathan Mas-Stephens, Paul Bennet, Ben Johnson, Stephen Phillips, Kevin O'Connor and former member Alison Forbes.
On behalf of our communities and this parliament, I sincerely thank the entire Lithgow VRA team for their unwavering dedication in supporting their communities in critical incidents. I would encourage all community members to join their local volunteer rescue association and be a force for good in saving and protecting lives and making a positive impact in our world.