Maroochy SES wins 2004 Chairman’s Cup

The Maroochy SES Unit has been honoured at the official launch of SES Week recognising the dedication of its volunteers during search efforts for missing Palmwoods teenager Daniel Morcombe.

Emergency Services Minister Chris Cummins presented the Chairman’s Cup, an annual award, at the launch of SES Week on November 6th on the Sunshine Coast. The award, The Chairman’s Cup, recognises performance during one counter disaster activity or support to statutory services over a period of the preceding 12 months.

The Maroochy SES Unit were involved in at least 16 separate activations in relation to Daniel’s search, with some of these individual activations lasting for up to two weeks.

Mr Cummins said, “The Maroochy SES Unit provided a valuable coordination role for SES activities throughout these search efforts.”

Maroochy SES Deputy Controller/Operations, Phil Holden said “more than 4300 volunteer hours have been contributed by local SES Units in the search, which included SES volunteers from right across the South East corner of Queensland.”

Local Controller Fred Reuter accepted The Chairman’s Cup on behalf of Deputy Controller Phil Holden, who has coordinated the search operations over the last 12 months and the many men and women volunteers of The Maroochy SES who have worked tirelessly hoping that they could bring closure to such an incomprehensible incident. The Daniel Morcombe search has touched everyone and we can only sympathise with Daniel’s family.