Corio Victoria State Emergency (VICSES) Unit Deputy Controller Felicity Hughes was recently announced as the recipient of the prestigious Fred Grove Memorial Award.
Celebrations were held at the Lara Sporting Club, with Ambulance Victoria, Country Fire Authority (CFA), and Victoria Police also among the recipients, each awarded for their dedication and commitment to their communities.
The Fred Grove Memorial Award is in memory of Fred Grove, a much-loved and highly regarded member of Lara’s emergency services and broader community. A CFA volunteer for 52 years, Fred also served as a Victoria Police member for more than 40 years and was an active Rotarian for more than 25 years.
As recipient of the award, Felicity was recognised for her commitment to community and for going above and beyond as a VICSES volunteer. She is a well-respected leader and role model within the unit, throwing herself at any challenge that comes her way.
Consistently making herself available to attend incidents day or night, Felicity has attended more than 400 requests for assistance in her volunteer career,144 of these in 2020 alone.
In addition to attending operational incidents, Felicity also dedicates her time to training fellow members and assisting in managing the day-to-day operations of the unit.
In her role as Deputy Controller – Operations, Felicity is responsible for ensuring the readiness of the Corio Unit for all emergency operations – from maintenance and restocking to strategic planning and positioning of personnel and assets for emergencies.
VICSES Assistant Chief Officer, Nick Cowham, said: “Felicity is the epitome of what it means to be a VICSES volunteer. Her dedication to the service and the community is truly outstanding. Felicity’s passion, leadership and dedication to developing our members is truly commendable.
“Felicity’s unwavering passion for her community and commitment to ensuring the VICSES Corio Unit continues to support them in emergencies, makes her a fitting recipient of the Fred Grove Memorial Award.”