VRA Rescue NSW

This morning, volunteers from across the state proudly represented VRA Rescue NSW at the 25th Annual NSW Emergency Service Volunteers Memorial Service, honouring those who made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting their communities. Held at Mrs Macquarie’s Point, the service was attended by Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib, NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Trent Curtin, and NSW SES Deputy Commissioner Deb Platz, who joined emergency service representatives from across the state to pay tribute to the fallen. This year, six new names were added to the memorial, bringing the total number of honoured volunteers to 125. The memorial stands as a powerful reminder of the courage, dedication, and selflessness shown by all who serve. Their legacy continues through every volunteer who wears the uniform and answers the call to help their community. 🕯️💚 Brenton Charlton Jihad Dib Chris Minns NSW Government NSW Nationals

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🚨 Historic Appointment – VRA Rescue Taree 🚨 We are proud to announce Mandy Penhall as the new Captain of VRA Rescue – Taree, marking a first in the squad’s history as she becomes their inaugural female Captain. 👩🚒✨ Mandy’s appointment is a powerful reminder of the skills, leadership, and dedication women bring to rescue, and showcases how VRA Rescue NSW is inclusive of all people. No matter your background, gender, or experience – anyone can step up, volunteer, and support their community through VRA Rescue NSW. 💙 Congratulations, Captain Penhall – we are excited to see the future of VRA Rescue Taree under your leadership. #VRARescueNSW #TareeRescue #InclusiveRescue #WomenInRescue #CommunityFirst Brenton Charlton Jihad Dib NSW Government

🤝 Interagency Training – Building Skills, Building Partnerships 🚤⚒️ Over the weekend, VRA Rescue NSW volunteers trained alongside Marine Rescue NSW in an interagency skills session covering: 🔧 Basic tool use 🛶 Boat handling 🌊 General Land Rescue (GLR) overview 🚨 Water rescue techniques While our teams are preparing for upcoming challenges, the real goal is clear – working together to save lives and support our communities. 💙 Big thanks to the crews who came together from across the Central Coast, Cessnock, and SRG to make this training a success. #VRARescueNSW #MarineRescueNSW #InteragencyTraining #CommunityFirst Brenton Charlton Marine Rescue NSW Jihad Dib Chris Minns NSW Government Premier's Department NSW

Official Opening – Merriwa Emergency and Rescue Centre Yesterday we proudly opened the brand-new Merriwa Emergency and Rescue Centre – a $1.4 million purpose-built facility that will strengthen emergency response across the Upper Hunter and beyond. This state-of-the-art centre is now home to the Merriwa Rescue Squad - VRA Rescue NSW, who provide critical land and vertical rescue services 24/7, supporting NSW Police, NSW Ambulance, NSW RFS, and Fire + Rescue NSW. With training spaces, a vertical rescue tower, vehicle bays, and an Emergency Operations Centre, this facility ensures our volunteers are not just prepared for anything – but truly ready for everything. #VRARescueNSW #MerriwaRescue #CommunitySafety #UpperHunter Brenton Charlton Jihad Dib Barnaby Joyce Pete Rothwell David Layzell

🚨🚒 New Rescue Truck Handover 🚒🚨 Today marked the official handover of a newly refurbished rescue truck to VRA Rescue NSW, thanks to the hard work of inmates from Hunter Correctional Facility in Cessnock. This vehicle will soon be placed in country NSW, where it will enable our dedicated volunteers to continue supporting and rescuing community members in their times of need. We were honoured to have special guests in attendance, including representatives from nswcorrections , Clayton Barr MP, Member for Cessnock, VRA Rescue NSW Commissioner, Brenton Charlton, and newly appointed VRA Rescue NSW Deputy Commissioner - Alix Thom. A huge thank you to everyone involved in bringing this project to life—your support ensures our volunteers have the tools they need to serve communities across NSW. #VRARescueNSW #CommunityFirst #RescueVolunteers Brenton Charlton Jihad Dib Chris Minns NSW Government Premier's Department NSW NSW Department of Communities and Justice NSW Nationals

Appointment of Deputy Commissioner – Alix Thom We are delighted to announce the appointment of Alix as the new Deputy Commissioner of VRA Rescue NSW. Alix brings an exceptional background in policing, law, and emergency management, combined with a genuine passion for supporting volunteers and strengthening community safety across New South Wales. She has contributed to major emergency responses and played a key role in state level coordination. Her expertise in governance, compliance, and risk management has ensured operational decisions consistently meet statutory obligations and best practice standards safeguarding both our people and the communities we serve. Academically, Alix holds a Bachelor of Laws, a Master of Leadership and Management in Policing and Security, and a Master of Emergency Management. She is currently completing her Doctor of Public Safety, with research focused on operational command structures in crisis. What sets Alix apart is her commitment to volunteers and local communities. Having worked extensively across regional and rural NSW, she understands the unique challenges faced by geographically disadvantaged areas. She is deeply committed to fostering positive culture, wellbeing, and professional development for those on the front line. As an experienced communicator, she is confident in engaging with media, leading complex multi-agency collaboration, and representing VRA Rescue NSW in high level forums. Her leadership will strengthen our ability to deliver professional, accountable, and resilient rescue services aligned with our Strategic Plan 2023–2027 focusing on collaboration, innovation, training, and member wellbeing. Please join us in welcoming Deputy Commissioner Alix Thom to VRA Rescue NSW. We look forward to the energy, vision, and experience she will bring in supporting Commissioner Charlton and leading alongside our members.

🌲🚨 VRA Rescue at Navshield 2025 🚨🌲 Over the weekend, our specialist VRA Rescue teams and volunteers from across NSW put their skills to the test at Navshield – Australia’s largest annual bush navigation and endurance event. Working alongside other emergency services, our members challenged themselves in tough terrain, honing their land search and rescue skills, teamwork, and endurance – all vital in real-world emergencies. A huge thank you to our dedicated volunteers who gave their time to represent VRA Rescue NSW and demonstrate the professionalism and capability of our organisation. 💪 👏 Well done to everyone who participated and supported the event! #VRANavshield #VRARescueNSW #SavingLives #VolunteersInAction #SearchAndRescue Brenton Charlton

We're #hiring a new Rescue Capability and Development Manager - VRA Rescue NSW in Homebush, New South Wales. Apply today or share this post with your network.

On Thursday, VRA Rescue NSW Commissioner, Brenton Charlton and other members of the executive represented VRA Rescue NSW at the Emergency Services Recognition Event at NSW Parliament House, hosted by the Sydney Roosters. We thank the Roosters for inviting us to be part of the Emergency Services match in June and for their continued support of our mission to protect and assist communities across NSW. Good luck in tonight’s game! 🐓🚨 Jihad Dib Chris Minns National Rugby League NSW Nationals