NSW RFS honours youth contributions in firefighting at 2024 Youth Awards

Youth Awards: Cadet and volunteer youth contributions celebrated

The New South Wales Rural Fire Service (RFS) has honoured its young members through the 2024 RFS Youth Awards, recognising their roles in community safety and volunteer leadership.

The awards ceremony, held at the RFS Headquarters in Sydney Olympic Park, acknowledged young members’ contributions across various categories, as reported by the New South Wales Rural Fire Service.

The awards celebrate participants in the RFS Secondary School Cadet Program and other young volunteers under the age of 25.

The Youth Awards are part of the RFS’s commitment to fostering youth engagement and leadership within its ranks, encouraging a future generation dedicated to community service and emergency response.

Achievements in youth volunteering highlighted

Since its inception in 2009, the RFS Cadet of the Year Award has been presented to young members of the Secondary School Cadet Program who demonstrate a commitment to the values of volunteering, leadership, and community support.

This year, Woojin Shin of Turramurra High School received the Cadet of the Year Award for exemplary participation and leadership in the program.

Other awards recognised youth in various age categories, including Marshall Munn, awarded Young Volunteer of the Year for the 12-15 years category, and Keeley Taylor, recognised as Young Volunteer of the Year in the 16-25 age group.

Both recipients were praised for their dedication to the RFS and active engagement in volunteer activities and training exercises.

Special recognition for 20-year cadet program service

A special award was also introduced this year to honour longstanding commitment to the cadet program.

Terry Job of West Parkes Brigade received this accolade for his two decades of involvement in the Secondary School Cadet Program.

Job’s efforts in mentoring young people have been instrumental in promoting volunteerism and training future RFS members.

Commissioner Rob Rogers commented on Job’s dedication, saying: “Terry’s unwavering commitment and mentorship have made an invaluable impact on both the service and the community.”

Leadership commended by government officials

NSW Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib congratulated the young awardees, recognising the value of their involvement in emergency volunteering.

Dib stated: “Congratulations to these exceptional young people who have been recognised for their outstanding accomplishments.”

Commissioner Rogers also highlighted the RFS’s ongoing support for youth programs, noting the importance of mentoring and training.

He emphasised the role of schools in fostering student participation in the cadet program, adding: “I also thank the school communities who offer the opportunity for students to participate in the Secondary School Cadet Program.”

NSW RFS honours youth contributions in firefighting at 2024 Youth Awards: Summary

The New South Wales Rural Fire Service (RFS) held its 2024 RFS Youth Awards at the RFS Headquarters in Sydney Olympic Park, celebrating the achievements of young volunteers.

Awards were presented across various categories, including Cadet of the Year, Young Volunteer of the Year for ages 12-15, and Young Volunteer of the Year for ages 16-25.

The event also featured a special recognition for long-standing dedication to the RFS Secondary School Cadet Program, awarded to Terry Job of West Parkes Brigade.

NSW Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib and RFS Commissioner Rob Rogers commended the awardees, praising their contributions to community safety and emergency services across the state.