After demonstrating exceptional leadership during his 45 years in emergency services, the captain of Narooma VRA Rescue Squad, Malcolm Barry, can now add 'award finalist' to his resume.
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Mr Barry has been named as a finalist in 2024 Rotary Districts of NSW Emergency Services Community Awards (RESCA), which will be awarded on Saturday, August 10, in Bankstown.
He was selected for his selflessness, passion, and dedication.
"I started off as a 16-year-old with Melton SES in Victoria, after I got married I moved to Bacchus Marsh SES, and then the SES controller at Balranald in NSW," he recalled.
Mr Barry was a volunteer Ambulance officer before becoming a permanent paid paramedic, which relocated him to Hillston where he was a station manager, before ending up in Narooma.
"Fourteen years ago when I left the Ambulance service and started my own mobile computer repairs business and thought, 'I still want to contribute'. So I joined the Narooma Volunteer Rescue Squad," Mr Barry said.
"When I joined, they got me in as the training officer and I did that for the last 10 years, but two years ago I was voted in as captain of the rescue squad."
During the Black Summer bushfires, Mr Barry assisted in running the evacuation centre and coordinated the safe evacuation of more than 10,000 people to Canberra via Tathra, Bega and up Brown Mountain.
"I basically started work at 6am, I got home about 2am and tried to unwind, and I'd still be getting calls about different things that were happening," Mr Barry said.
"It was quite stressful, but it was rewarding because there were a lot of people that relied on the information I was putting out to the community, to let them know what was going on."
He said being a paramedic taught him how to manage staff and being in control of situations, while SES, VRA and his business have provided a blend of experience making him a respected leader.
Beyond his role in VRA rescue, he has committed his time to the community, evident through his involvement with various organisations including Marine Rescue, RSL, Rotary, Lions Club, and supporting Legacy.
He has also run first aid courses, assisted Indigenous youth, contributed to a Legacy mural, and RSL monument repairs.
"We like the community and we're part of it, so we may as well help them out " Mr Barry said with a kind chuckle.
Jimmy Parker
I am a multi-award-winning regional news journalist on the Far South Coast of NSW. I aim to immortalise the stories of everyday people through narratives and capture breaking news. Have you got a story? Contact me on 0437 166 441 or at james.parker@austcommunitymedia.com.au
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