SES unit secures gong for searches
A STATE Emergency Service group that spent two days searching a Daintree beach after a woman was taken by a crocodile has been given a major award.
The Wujal Wujal unit supported the police search of Thornton Beach in March when New Zealand woman Cindy Waldren was taken from the beach while walking with close friend Leeann Mitchell.
A 4.3m croc was found to be the culprit and shot dead by rangers.
The Wujal group yesterday took out the SES’s Regional Operational Response of the Year for its efforts, which also involved a six-hour drive home after roads were flooded.
“The professionalism of all volunteers never wavered and they were dedicated to completing the task despite difficult circumstances,” SES regional manager Wayne Coutts said.
“Enduring heavy rain and hot conditions, the unit gave it their all, assisting police in the search and rescue operation over two days.”
Cardwell SES group member Peter Ottone was named Regional Member of the Year for his outstanding services to the group and local community. The Weipa SES won Regional Group of the Year.
Dawn Baillie and Trevor Baillie from the Tully group and Jessica Mason-Hamilton and Marissa Murnane from the Edmonton group received SES Week certificates.