Minister for Police and Emergency Services Stuart Ayres has today announced the 2013 NSWRural Fire Service (NSW RFS) and NSW State Emergency Service (SES) Cadet of the Year.

Mr Ayres said the award program, which commenced in 2009, is an opportunity to acknowledge the invaluable role that young people play within the NSW emergency services.

“The NSW RFS and NSW SES cadet programs promote leadership, community service and the values of volunteering in young people across NSW,” he said.

“I am pleased to announce the 2013 Cadet of the Year recipients are NSW RFS cadet Richard Alley and NSW SES cadet Benjamin Albers.”

“Both Richard and Benjamin are outstanding examples of enthusiastic cadets who have devoted their time to helping protect their communities.”

The principal of Yass High School, Sandra Hiscock, noted that Richard was an exceptional cadet who worked to actively encourage other students and mentor new participants. He is now a member of the Murrumbateman NSW RFS.

Benjamin, from Cherrybrook Technology High School, completed the cadet program with a high level of leadership and dedication. He is now a member of The Hills NSW SES Unit.

“I would like to congratulate Richard and Benjamin on their achievements and thank them for their commitment to our great volunteer emergency services,” said Mr Ayres.

“Through the school cadet programs, students safely learn how to deal with emergencies, be it fires, floods or other natural disasters.

“The NSW RFS cadet program commenced in 2005, with more than 5000 students participating in 329 programs since its inception.

“The NSW SES has now conducted 107 programs with 2088 students participating since its launch in 2008.”

Mr Ayres also thanked the teachers, cadet coordinators and volunteers who dedicate significant amounts of time to training young people in programs across the State.

“It is fitting that we celebrate the achievements of these cadets, along with those who lead them, during National Volunteers Week,” he said.

NSW RFS Award Richard Alley from Yass High School was chosen as the 2013 NSW RFS Cadet of the Year recipient based on the nomination from his NSW RFS Cadet Coordinator, with the endorsement of his School Principal. In their nomination, they noted that Richard had:

 Actively encouraged his peers to participate in the activities and helped them if they were struggling or nervous

 Increased his confidence and ability to relate to and interact with others

 Took on a mentoring role for new cadets

 Committed to volunteering by joining his local brigade at Murrumbateman,

where favourable reports from the Captain have been received regarding his respectfulness, attendance at training and help with all brigade tasks Richard’s family is actively involved in the NSW RFS and he is carrying on the proud tradition by following in the footsteps of his father, Southern Tablelands Zone District Manager Superintendent Peter Alley. Superintendent Alley was not involved in the nomination, endorsement or selection of Richard for the 2013 Cadet of the Year.

As Cadet of the Year for 2013, Richard will be presented with a trophy and certificate, with an additional trophy awarded to Yass High School.

NSW SES Award Benjamin Albers, a current Year 12 student at Cherrybrook Technology High School, was the 2013 recipient of the NSW SES Cadet of the Year award.

Benjamin was a participant in a Work Experience Group (WEG) that took part in the cadet program in Term 2 of 2013. The WEG consisted of cadets from three different schools.

Benjamin was extremely enthusiastic and motivated throughout the cadet program. He demonstrated a high level of maturity and went out of his way to develop the team unity and to include everyone in activities. He was a strong leader, very conscientious and strove to learn as much as possible.

Benjamin was proactive in seeking out tasks that needed doing to support the team and the program. He also showed dedication by spending extra time researching outside of the cadet program.

Benjamin was always well presented, polite, engaging and a good representative for his school and the cadet program.

On completion of the cadet program, Benjamin immediately joined his local NSW SES Unit (The Hills Unit) to continue developing his skills, and as he said, “for a chance to put his skills into practice helping the community”.

Benjamin is also a dual member of the Oakville and Glenhaven Rural Fire Service Brigades.