NSW Minister for Disability Services Kristina Keneally and Member for Newcastle Jodi McKay have today presented 10 employees of the Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care with State Medals.
Ms Keneally said the storms in June had a devastating impact across the Hunter and Central Coast, causing extensive flooding, damage and loss of life.
“The response from the local community was remarkable,” Ms Keneally said.
“The people of Newcastle and the Hunter rallied magnificently and this must be recognised.
“Today I am awarding 10 employees of the Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care with State Medals for their dedication in caring for people stranded by floodwaters.”
Ms McKay said the Queens Birthday long weekend was one of Newcastle’s saddest, yet proudest moments.
“The staff being recognised today put the safety and well being of their clients and colleagues before their own convenience and comfort throughout the weekend.
“Like many people, departmental staff rallied during the emergency and did their best to ensure that the more vulnerable members of our community were able to survive the very difficult circumstances.
“When people could not return to their homes due to road closures, property damage or flooding, these officers took decisive action which included:
• evacuating physically disabled clients who were in immediate danger of drowning;
• giving first aid to a wheelchair bound man who had been relocated to an upper level
of a building because of rising floodwaters;
• working around the clock to contain flooding where possible;
• and relocating people to other locations, which often required driving through
flooded areas.”
Ms Keneally said that despite suffering significant personal property loss, the departmental staff had continued helping other people. One Residential Support Worker’s car was destroyed by a fallen tree while she was helping people who had been stranded.
“The courage, creativity and selfless approach demonstrated by these people reflect the dedication that runs throughout the Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care around the State.
“They are a credit to themselves, their families and their colleagues.”
During the storm which hit the Hunter and Central Coast on Friday June 8 several people were killed, the tanker Pasha Bulker became stranded at Nobbys Beach in Newcastle and as much as 300 mm of rain fell in the area.
At one point, more than 105,000 homes were without power and 10,000 calls for assistance were received by the State Emergency Service.
The Department also provided support to the Hunter community by providing staff to Recovery Centres in Newcastle, Maitland, Cessnock, Singleton and Wyong in cooperation with the Premier’s Department and Cabinet through the Regional Coordination Management Groups.
The following staff were presented with State medals by the Minister for the work they undertook during the weekend of storms.
Name and Classification
Place of Work
Actions Taken
Tim Barley
Home Support
Recognised the risk to Mr Gary Partridge, an
Residential Support
Service
In Home Support client in a wheelchair and
Worker
c/- DADHC
attended Gary’s flat in time to alert the Fire
Level 2, 117
Brigade of rising water. The Fire Brigade
Bull Street,
could only lift Gary to a higher level in the
Newcastle
block of flats due to the volume of waters.
Tim stayed with Gary in a stranger’s flat overnight. This tenant slipped over during the night and Tim administered First aid.
Joanne Bucknall –
25 Palm Valley
Supported clients, bucketed water to avoid
Residential Support
Way, Berkeley
flooding and worked extra long hours.
Workers
Vale
Joanne’s car was destroyed at the unit from
a fallen tree.
David Street – Residential
Berkeley Vale
Supported clients, bucketed water to avoid
Support Workers
flooding and worked extra long hours.
Rob Watson– Acting
DADHC Level 5,
On call Network Manager on 8, 9 and 10
Network Manager
Gateway
June 2007. He worked around the clock
Building 221
supporting staff and clients throughout the
Mann St,
region. Also coordinated the cancellation of
Gosford, NSW,
respite services due to safety and
2250
communication and support to respite families.
Debi Stephens – Network
DADHC Level 2,
On call Network Manager on 8, 9 and 10
Manager
117 Bull Street,
June 2007. She worked around the clock
Newcastle,
supporting staff and clients throughout the
region.
Tony O’Rourke –
1 Friendship
Assisted and supported a client safely home
Residential Support
Place
from Day Program on Friday 8 June 2007,
Worker
Watanobbi
an exercise that took 3 hours. Mr O’Rourke
then assisted all day on 9 June 2007 with relocating clients from Friendship Place group home to the Tarlo Place group home.
Gina Surnace -
Watanobbi
Worked long hours assisting and supporting
Residential Support
clients during flooding to move from
Worker
Friendship Place.
Janice Elliot - Residential
Watanobbi
Worked long hours assisting and supporting
Support Worker
clients during flooding to move from
Friendship Place.
Jan Newbuerry -
Watanobbi
Worked long hours assisting and supporting
Residential Support
clients during flooding to move from
Worker
Friendship Place.
Tara Kingman -
Watanobbi
Worked long hours assisting and supporting
Residential Support
clients during flooding to move from
Worker
Friendship Place.