BULAHDELAH Volunteer Rescue Association’s Peter Mostyn was awarded the Commander’s Plaque of Appreciation at the recent Manning Great Lakes Local Area Command Awards ceremony.

The award was presented by Superintendent Peter Thurtell, in recognition of Mr Mostyn’s contribution to rescue management in the region.

Always a team player, Mr Mostyn’s first reaction was, “Why me, what about others?”

“I didn’t even know, I just thought that I was going to get a certificate now that I’ve retired,” he said.

“I was really shocked, but very proud to have received the award.”

Mr Mostyn joined the Bulahdelah and District Rescue Squad in 1994, and has since given more than two decades of dedicated volunteer service.

He was on call 24-hours a day, and worked alongside police and other emergency services at motor vehicle accidents, search and rescues and countless other situations.

“It doesn’t matter the colour of the uniform as basically we are all out there for the same reason, and that is to assist someone in need,” he said.

“Our policy is to have a vehicle on the road within 10 minutes of receiving a message, and at a lot of accidents, it wasn’t so much about cutting a car to pieces, it was the fact that you were there and could say ‘hey, how you going’ and provide some comfort.”

Mr Mostyn held an impressive list of positions throughout the region including Mid North Coast Coordinator, Deputy Regional Coordinator for the Hunter, and proudly served on the Local Emergency Management Committee, a position he held until retiring from the association last year.

He also served as Captain, President and Training Officer with the local squad and is an Accredited Rescue Operator and Senior Rescue Instructor with the State Rescue Board.

“The main thing you get out of volunteering is that you’re just able to help, and seeing the difference that makes in the community,” Mr Mostyn said.

“I would love to see more young people join a volunteer organisation, it is one of the greatest things you can do in assisting people at probably a very dark time in their life.”

Mr Mostyn said volunteering also teaches skills that you will have for life.

 

By Daniel SAHYOUN