Queensland Parliament House was the venue for this year’s Australian Search and Rescue Awards (Awards) event hosted by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) and Queensland Police Service (QPS) last night in Brisbane.
The National Search and Rescue Council (NATSAR Council) presents these awards annually in recognition of 'outstanding contributions to search and rescue' in Australia.
Recipients of these awards are selected from nominations by the search and rescue community and members of the public across Australia.
NATSAR Council Chair and AMSA Executive Director Response, Alex Barrell, said the selection process is a challenge, with all nominations outstanding on their own merit.
“The selection process for the Australian Search and Rescue Awards is tough every year, and this year was no exception, as we recognise outstanding contributions to search and rescue at a national level.
“What sets these awards apart is that they are open to both the search and rescue community and the wider Australian public, to nominate and to recognise individuals or groups for their contribution to keeping people safe.
“AMSA is proud of its partnership with the NATSAR Council and the broader search and rescue community and is committed to being a key partner for all,” Mr Barrell added.
Recipients of the 2025 Australian Search and Rescue Awards (see attached summaries):
- Professional Award: Ambulance Tasmania, Tasmania Police, Surf Life Saving Tasmania, Rotor-Lift Aviation - Franklin River, Tasmania – in recognition of an extremely challenging rescue in the Franklin River National Park in November 2024.
- Professional Volunteer Award: Climbers Club of Tasmania Vertical Rescue Team – in recognition of a complex and high-risk rescue operation from Tasmania’s 65-metre-tall Totem Pole Sea Stack in February 2025.
- Non-Professional Awards: Louie Greenland and Remy Roberts – Noosa Heads Queensland – in recognition of their assistance to passengers and crew onboard boat in distress while crossing the Noosa Bar in July 2024.
- Long-Standing contribution Award: Darryl Wright – South Australian State Emergency Service – in recognition of over 30 years of contribution to public safety, marine search and rescue, and volunteer advocacy.
Commendations will also be awarded to (see attached summaries):
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Professional (joint awardees):
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Tasmania Police, Ambulance Tasmania and SES Tasmania – for a rescue from the Twin Spires, Tasmania in July 2024.
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New South Wales Police Marine Area Command – for the rescue of two crew from a yacht in the Tasman Sea 185 km east of Nowra, New South Wales in September 2024.
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Professional Volunteer: Marine Rescue Port Macquarie, NSW – for their significant assistance to a cruiser in distress crossing Port Macquarie Bar in May 2025.
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Non-professional (joint awardees):
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Port Phillip Sea Pilots, Point Lonsdale, Victoria – for the rescue of a swimmer in distress near Point Lonsdale in April 2025.
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Professor David Widdowson & Captain Suzanne Rogers, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory – for the rescue of passengers from a sinking charter vessel on Lake Burley Griffin in December 2024.
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Long-standing contribution: Southern Peninsula Rescue Squad, Victoria – for 58 years of service to the Port Phillip Bay community, established following the disappearance of Harold Holt in 1967.
Nominations for the 2026 Awards are now open until early July next year here.