Twelve volunteer rescuers honoured at NSW memorial service

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 11 Oct, 05:24 · Archive

Twelve volunteers who died serving their communities have been added to a state memorial in Sydney.

Twelve volunteers who died protecting their communities were honoured at a memorial service in Sydney on Sunday. The names of Marine Rescue NSW volunteers Frank Petsch, 62, and Bill Ewen, 78, were added to the state memorial at Mrs Macquarie's Chair, alongside ten Rural Fire Service volunteers: Peter Fenning, Christopher Little, Lisa McSweeney, Philip Dunn, John Ebbott, Stuart Clark, George Slennett, Matthew Hunter, Neil Burnett and Roger Jennings.

Petsch and Ewen died in May while responding to a vessel in distress near the South Ballina breakwall in northern New South Wales. Marine Rescue NSW deputy commissioner Dan Duemmer said the pair had answered the call to help others as many volunteers did every day. 'Bill and Frank's legacy was built over years of selfless service, friendship, commitment and care for others,' he said. 'They were men who embodied the very best of Marine Rescue NSW and of the community.'

NSW Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib told the service: 'These are ordinary people who do extraordinary things - people who believe in a sense of service, unlike any other. People who put their lives on hold to go out and work for community at their time of greatest need.'

How it is being reported

• 'Everyday heroes': fallen volunteers hailed for serviceA dozen volunteers who lost their lives protecting the community -including two men killed during a boating rescue - have been honoured.The West Australian · 11 Oct, 05:17
• 'Everyday heroes': fallen volunteers hailed for serviceA dozen volunteers who lost their lives protecting the community -including two men killed during a boating rescue - have been honoured.Perth Now · 11 Oct, 05:17

In this story: Frank Petsch · Bill Ewen · Marine Rescue NSW · NSW Rural Fire Service · Sydney · South Ballina · Dan Duemmer · Jihad Dib

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