Medals for storm relief efforts

Staff and volunteers from five Peninsula rural fire brigades were presented with State Medallions on March 27, for their contribution to the Hunter and Central Coast storm relief last year.

Empire Bay, Killcare, Patonga, Pearl Beach and the Bays Brigades were among other Rural Fire Service personnel who assisted with the "enormous clean up and recovery effort" during last year's storms.

The medals were presented by Member for Gosford Ms Marie Andrews to more than 300 staff and volunteers on behalf of the Minister for Emergency Services Mr Nathan Rees.

Ms Andrews said the contribution made by the fire service was outstanding and the volunteers and staff involved should be exceptionally proud of their efforts to assist the community during such difficult times.

"The storms caused devastation and heartbreak within the community, but our volunteers came to our aid, shining as a light in the end of the tunnel towards recovery," Ms Andrews said.

"Words cannot express the gratitude we owe these selfless volunteers, their efforts forever written in the history of our community.

"These are volunteers that we cannot live without.

'It is truly an honour and a privilege to not only stand in the presence of these people who sacrifice so much, but to be able to present them with this medallion as an acknowledgement of their enormous achievements."

Press release, 27 March 2008 Marie Andrews, Member for Gosford