National Volunteer Week
Join our celebratory event online or in person
Strategic Volunteer and Youth Programs are hosting a celebration on Monday 15 May, to kick off National Volunteer Week 2023.
This year’s theme is ‘The Change Makers’ in celebration of volunteers' ‘power to drive change and ensure volunteering is inclusive of all members of the Australian community’.
National Volunteer Week is an annual event celebrated across Australia, which recognises the vital support that the millions of volunteers in our country provide to their communities.
We've invited four nationally and internationally recognised volunteers from around WA to share their experiences in emergency services.
Event details
Time: 1130 hours to 1300 hours
Date: Monday 15 May 2023
Location: Cockburn Emergency Services Complex Training Room 1, OR online via live stream.
Join our celebratory event online or in person at Cockburn Emergency Services Complex
DFES Strategic Volunteer and Youth Programs team has invited four nationally and internationally recognised volunteers from around WA to share their experiences in emergency services.
Sandra Lymbery ESM
Marine Rescue Coral Bay/ Coral Bay VFES/ Coral Bay St John Ambulance
Sandra received an Emergency Services Medal in 2019 and received Volunteering WA’s Lifetime Contribution to Volunteering award in 2021. Sandra has dedicated 22 years to Marine Rescue Coral Bay and 18 years to Coral Bay VFES.
She also volunteers with St John Ambulance and played a significant role in establishing a joint multipurpose facility that houses all of the community’s emergency services.
Mackenzie Sattler
Coolup Bush Fire Brigade
Mackenzie achieved a Gold level in the Duke of Edinburgh International Awards in 2021. Mackenzie worked toward this over four years through the DFES Open Award Unit.
She completed the service component as a member of the Coolup Bush Fire Brigade cadets and has now transitioned to an adult member of the Brigade. She continues to assist instructors with training and mentoring of younger members.
Peter Thomas AFSM
District Officer Fire Capes/ Bridgetown VFRS
Peter received an Australian Fire Service Medal as part of the 2023 Australia Day Honours List. He was also awarded the DFES Operational Staff Individual Achievement Award at WAFES 2022 and a National Emergency Medal for NSW bushfires in 2020. Peter commenced as a volunteer with VFRS in 1990 before becoming a career firefighter and currently serves as District Officer.
John White ESM
Kalamunda SES
John received an Emergency Services Medal for the 2023 Australia Day Honours List. He has over 37 years of service in various leadership and management roles, including with the Statewide Operational Response Division (SWORD) SES unit.
