18-07-2025
Hard-working Pilbara emergency vollies nominated for WAFES Awards
Dedicated volunteer emergency responders are getting the recognition they deserve with several local heroes and teams named as finalists in this year's WA Fire and Emergency Services Awards.
The Karratha Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service has been nominated in two major categories. The team is up for the firefighting team achievement award, while lieutenant Riley Mole has been shortlisted for the firefighting young person of the year award. Karratha Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service lieutenant Riley Mole has been nominated Firefighting Young Person of the Year. Credit: Madelin Hayes
'I've been volunteering for seven years now, since I was 21. I first started in Geraldton, and Karratha welcomed my family in three years ago,' Lt Mole said.
'I feel like I've achieved a lot, coming through at a young age and now leading my peers feels like quite an accomplishment.
'Karratha VFRS feels like a big family, they support you extremely well after big jobs.'
Karratha VFRS captain Rhian Ambrosius said the recognition was humbling, but the real reward was in helping the community.
'It means a lot. We don't do this to be recognised, we do it for the community, to give back,' she said.
'We do a lot of jobs and they're all rewarding, even if we attend bad one, knowing we have helped is rewarding in itself.
'Seeing the look on the little kids faces when you rock up at school visits to teach the kids about fire safety; they give big smiles and a big wave every time they see you, so that's also a standout.'
Elsewhere in the Pilbara, David Skene from Marine Rescue Exmouth has been nominated for the Marine Rescue Individual Achievement Award, joined by fellow nominee Scott Williams from Marine Rescue Dampier.
Further inland, Tom Price State Emergency Service has been recognised in the State Emergency Service Team Achievement Award.
In the East Pilbara, Connie Reed from Newman State Emergency Service is in the running for the Peter Keillor Award, while Port Hedland Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service's Natalie Marley is up for the Individual Achievement Award.
Rounding out the impressive list of Pilbara finalists are two young volunteers from Marine Rescue Port Hedland — Lachlan Field and Owen Wells — both nominated for the marine rescue young person of the year award.
