Jenny Pollard, The Buloke Times

Team and individual members of the Red Cross Buloke Emergency Services Team were recognised with exemplary awards at the May 28, presentations held at Government House in Melbourne.

The Team, which comprises Charlton locals – Janet Stafford, Joy Freeman, Jenny and Allan McGillivray, Liz Richardson, Bronwyn Fisher and Bruce Stafford – is augmented by Bill Critchley (Moama) and Teresa O’Brien (Lake Boga), who are representatives from the Gannawarra and Swan Hill Local Government areas, which, along with Buloke, make up the large geographical area of Red Cross Northern Lakes Region.

As the recipients of the Distinguished Team Award, the citation listed the extensive outreach which this small, but determined group has imparted over the years.

Attending incidents across regions covering Shepparton, Dereel, Hepburn, Loddon Mallee and Yarra Ranges, and at Relief and Recovery Centres in Charlton, Mildura, Cobden, Terang, Bunyip and Morwell, members have been available to offer support and comfort to many in a time of need.

Their engagements have also covered the 2017 Bourke Street Mall incident, along with responses to Queensland’s tropical cyclone Debbie (also 2017).

Cyclone Jasper

Earlier this year Janet and Liz carried out deployments to Mossman (north of Cairns) and the Gold Coast respectively following the massive rainfall and flooding events generated by Cyclone Jasper.

Well known for its local outreach, the Buloke Team has also circulated hundreds of Trauma Teddies over the years, undertaken many fundraising activities, attended Red Cross Branch Zone meetings, and is a regular presence at ANZAC Day ceremonies.

During Covid, members’ dedication saw them driving hundreds of kilometers to distribute food parcels to show care and compassion during the periods of isolation and lockdowns.

Enthusiastic, committed and always ready and willing to help when needed most, the Buloke Team “constantly rises to the occasion to support not only its own local communities, but all Victorian communities impacted by an emergency as well as providing support for interstate emergencies”.

Outstanding Service Awards

Joy Freeman and Janet Stafford were also recipients of Outstanding Service Awards which recognise dedication shown at local, regional, divisional or national levels.

Joy Freeman

An active Branch member since 1980 and an Emergency Services volunteer since 1999, Joy has been the “face” of Red Cross locally, recruiting, supporting and taking on the positions of Team Convener and Team Leader during this time, as well as building liaisons with other agencies and providing feedback to the state Red Cross organisation.

Her involvement has encompassed activations at local, state and national emergency incidents, including the 2011 floods, Bourke Street Mall tragedy, along with responses to the aftermaths of fires, storms and cyclones.

Joy has also assisted in the Single Incident Emergency Assistance Program, supporting people in isolated emergency events by providing Psychological First Aid and linking them to other support agencies.

She has been a Red Cross representative at Municipal Emergency Management Planning Committee meetings and helped to provide food relief to numerous families during the Covid-19 pandemic.

On receiving the award, Joy said it was a memorable and humbling occasion, and that her input has never been for the rewards.

“It’s something that I feel I have been called to and moved to do,” she said, while acknowledging the very wide outreach of their small group.

Janet Stafford

Janet’s Red Cross story evolved out of the 2011 Charlton flood when she turned up at the Relief centre and asked, “What can I do to help?”

Following an immediate sign-up to the organisation, her involvement over the past 13 years has been, in her own words, “The best thing I have ever done”. As both a Team Convener (working with a group) and Team Leader (working with individuals), she said she was so proud of the work the group does, saying how amazing it was “working with people who entrust you completely”.

Extremely responsive and readily available, Janet has been deployed across Victoria and interstate for multiple, critical emergency responses including the Bourke Street Mall incident which was one of the hardest jobs she has ever done.

“Helping people to try and process something like that was so difficult,” she said.

“The reflection and questioning – if I’d done this, or only done that – would the outcome have been different?”

Her leadership qualities have also been acknowledged, especially her ability to keep members engaged and connected with each other and with the Red Cross movement. Her behind-the-scenes input in keeping the Northern Lakes Division running smoothly was also applauded.

Janet’s welcoming and supportive approach towards both new volunteers and staff alike was also commended. Her citation concluded with: “Janet displays an exemplary level of commitment, humanity and voluntary service, and her contributions and support of Red Cross are much appreciated.”

Accepting the award on Janet’s behalf was her daughter, Kristy Matheos.

This article appeared in The Buloke Times, 25 June 2024.