Earlier this week, two of Surf Life Saving WA’s Wesfarmers Emergency Response Team (WERT) members were recognised in the prestigious Australian Search & Rescue Awards for their outstanding contributions to search and rescue within the Australian region.
David Macmahon and Jacob Oversby, both members of the Esperance Surf Life Saving Club, were amongst the 13 recipients recognised in the National Search and Rescue Council’s 2020 awards which were announced on Tuesday afternoon by the Hon. Michael McCormack, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development.
Acting in a voluntary capacity as members of the WERT, David and Jacob worked alongside the Western Australian Police Dive Team in two back-to-back search and rescue efforts, spanning nine days and four separate locations across the state, requiring lengthy travel and demanding timeframes.
Their dedicated and professional service to the search and rescue efforts, which was both physically and emotionally demanding, earned the WA Police Dive Team group, including David and Jacob, the Professional Search and Rescue Award.
Congratulations to both David & Jacob on this recognition of their outstanding service to the community. We would also like to acknowledge the Esperance Goldfields Surf Life Saving Club and its members, many of whom were also involved in these search and rescue efforts in varying capacities, and who continue to serve their local community so well.
Read more about the recipients of the 2020 Australian Search and Rescue awards here or watch the video of the announcement here.
Photo taken by Chris Brien
Pictured above L-R: Dave Macmahon (WERT), Jacob Oversby (WERT) and Ash Skinner (Esperance Marine Rescue)
