VRA Rescue NSW

13/10/2026

🚨🧰 WIN BIG WHILE SUPPORTING YOUR LOCAL RESCUE HEROES! 🧰🚨

The VRA Albury Rescue Squad's Annual Toolbox Raffle is back, and it's your chance to grab a great prize while supporting an even greater cause! 🎟️

Every ticket purchased helps support the dedicated volunteers who give their time to keep their community safe and respond when they're needed most. ❤️💚

👏 Let's get behind our Albury Rescue Squad! Every ticket counts, and your support makes a real difference.

🎟️ Grab your tickets today and help support those who are always ready to answer the call!

Our Annual Toolbox Raffle is one of our key fundraising initiatives to support the ongoing operations of VRA Rescue NSW - Albury Squad. Funds raised go ...

11/10/2026

Today, VRA Rescue NSW was honoured to host the 2026 NSW Emergency Service Volunteers Memorial Service, led by the dedicated members of the State Protocol Group.

Held at the Memorial to Emergency Service Volunteers of New South Wales, the service brought together emergency service agencies, volunteers, families and communities to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to others.

This year, we paid tribute to 12 additional volunteers whose names have been inscribed on the Memorial, joining 125 others whose courage, commitment and selflessness will never be forgotten.

The Memorial stands as a lasting reminder of the extraordinary contribution emergency service volunteers make to the people of New South Wales. Behind every name is a story of service, dedication and a commitment to helping others in their time of need.

A special thank you to the members of the State Protocol Group whose professionalism, commitment and countless volunteer hours ensured the service was conducted with dignity and respect. In particular, we acknowledge volunteers from VRA Rescue NSW - State Rescue Group, Narrandera, Cessnock, Leeton, Binalong and Dubbo, whose support helped make this important day of remembrance possible.

On behalf of VRA Rescue NSW, we thank all participating agencies, volunteers, families and supporters who came together to honour those we have lost and the legacy they leave behind.

🌹 We remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
❤️ We honour their service and dedication.
🤝 We continue their legacy of helping others.



VRA Rescue NSW Commissioner, Brenton Charlton
VRA Rescue NSW Deputy Commissioner, Alix Thom
Jihad Dib MP
Chris Minns
VRA Rescue NSW SRG Metro
Binalong Rescue Squad - VRA Rescue NSW
Leeton Rescue Squad - VRA Rescue NSW
Dubbo Rescue Squad - VRA Rescue NSW
Narrandera VRA Rescue Squad
Cessnock District Rescue Squad - VRA Rescue NSW

11/10/2026

💚 LAND SEARCH AND RESCUE

An outstanding effort by our volunteers from Glen Innes, Inverell and Guyra, who worked through the night in challenging conditions during a rescue in Washpool National Park.

Special recognition to the members who stayed with the patient overnight, supporting NSW Ambulance with ongoing patient care until she could be safely airlifted this morning.

Thank you to all our volunteers and partner agencies for their dedication, teamwork and professionalism. 💚👏

This is VRA Rescue NSW at its best.


VRA Rescue NSW Commissioner, Brenton Charlton
VRA Rescue NSW Deputy Commissioner, Alix Thom
Jihad Dib MP
Chris Minns

LAND SEARCH AND RESCUE

An overnight rescue in Washpool National Park has tested the skills, endurance and experience of our Region North rescue crews, with an injured person successfully airlifted to safety this morning.

At approximately 4:50pm on Saturday 10 October, emergency services received a personal locator beacon activation and an iPhone satellite emergency call. The alerts initially indicated different locations and were treated as separate incidents until crews confirmed they related to the same person—a 60-year-old person injured following a fall.

VRA Rescue NSW members from Glen Innes, Guyra and Inverell worked alongside NSW Police, NSW Ambulance and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter, supported by NSW RFS and NSW SES.

The difficult and unforgiving terrain presented significant challenges in reaching the patient and planning her safe extraction. Two VRA Rescue NSW Special Operations Rescue Unit (SORU) members and a NSW Ambulance paramedic remained with her overnight, providing shelter, monitoring her condition and managing her pain while awaiting a safe opportunity to evacuate her.

This morning, following a risk assessment, the Westpac Rescue Helicopter winched another paramedic into the site to assist with treatment and preparation for extraction. The patient and that paramedic were then winched to safety, and she was transported to hospital for further treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

Eight VRA rescue members then trekked into the bush to support the team who had stayed overnight, carrying their packs and assisting them on the approximately two-and-a-half-hour walk out. All crews have now safely returned to the command post.

With crews expected to finish returning to station, cleaning and restocking equipment by approximately 1:50pm today, this operation will have involved around 22 hours of sustained effort.

An outstanding effort by everyone involved. Our volunteers’ professionalism, knowledge and experience were tested from start to finish, and they met those challenges with determination and care.

Thank you to our crews and all partner agencies for their teamwork throughout this demanding rescue. We wish the patient a smooth recovery.

VRA Rescue NSW
VRA Rescue NSW Commissioner, Brenton Charlton
VRA Rescue NSW Deputy Commissioner, Alix Thom
Brendan Moylan MP
Glen Innes Rescue Squad- VRA Rescue NSW
VRA Rescue NSW - Guyra
VRA Rescue NSW - Inverell
Jihad Dib MP
7NEWS Sydney
NBN Television
ABC North Coast
ABC News
10 News Sydney

10/10/2026

Today, we honour and remember the emergency service volunteers who have lost their lives in service to their communities.

We remember their courage, their commitment and the lasting impact of their service.

Lest we forget.

VRA Rescue NSW Commissioner, Brenton Charlton
VRA Rescue NSW Deputy Commissioner, Alix Thom
Jihad Dib MP
Chris Minns
NSW Rural Fire Service
NSW SES
Marine Rescue NSW

10/10/2026

🐶 “Get a Spaniel,” they said… 😉💦

Congratulations to Smudge and handler Justine on passing their Water Search assessments and achieving operational SAR dog status! ⭐🐾💚 Another fantastic achievement for our VRA Search Dog team! 👏



VRA Rescue NSW Commissioner, Brenton Charlton
Jihad Dib MP
VRA Rescue NSW Deputy Commissioner, Alix Thom
Chris Minns

09/10/2026

Sometimes, the mind needs rescuing too.

This World Mental Health Day, remember that looking after your mental health is just as important as looking after your physical health.

Take a moment to check in. Reach out to someone you care about. And listen when they need you.

If you’re struggling, know that asking for help is a strength.

VRA Rescue NSW Commissioner, Brenton Charlton
Jihad Dib MP
Chris Minns
Beyond Blue

08/10/2026

A MASSIVE CONGRATULATIONS to Drew Carr, who has been named Northern Rivers Volunteer of the Year – Emergency Volunteer Category! 👏👏👏

This is a huge honour and a fantastic recognition of Drew’s dedication, commitment and outstanding service as a VRA Rescue NSW volunteer. 💪🚨

And now… Drew is off to the STATE AWARDS! 🎉

Drew will represent the Northern Rivers Region at the State Awards in Sydney on 3 December. We couldn’t be prouder — go Drew! 🏆👏

👏 Congratulations also to our amazing volunteers from Casino, Tweed and Brunswick, who were recognised with Certificates of Appreciation for their service as emergency service volunteers.

The certificates were presented by Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib, alongside Geoff Provest MP, Member for Tweed, and the Mayor of Tweed.

💚 To Drew and every VRA volunteer recognised — thank you for the incredible work you do for our communities.

🔥 NORTHERN RIVERS — WE’RE PROUD OF YOU! 🔥


VRA Rescue NSW Commissioner, Brenton Charlton@
Jihad Dib MP
Chris Minns
VRA Rescue NSW Deputy Commissioner, Alix Thom
VRA Rescue NSW - Region North

02/10/2026

🌧️ **Long weekend plans? The rain’s coming too.**

Wet roads mean it’s time to slow down, switch your lights on and leave a little extra space. Wherever you’re headed this long weekend, take your time and drive to the conditions.

**Enjoy the break. Stay safe. Let’s all get home safely.** 💚


VRA Rescue NSW Commissioner, Brenton Charlton
Jihad Dib MP
Chris Minns
VRA Rescue NSW Deputy Commissioner, Alix Thom

01/10/2026

🐾🚨 OUR PAWSOME VOLUNTEERS! 🚨🐾

Four paws, big hearts and a serious talent for finding people! 🐕❤️

A huge shout-out to our incredible VRA Rescue NSW Search Dog teams and their dedicated handlers. These legends put in the training, the hours and the hard yards — and always with plenty of tail wags along the way! 🐾👏

We’re pawsitively proud of you! 💚🐕‍🦺


VRA Rescue NSW Commissioner, Brenton Charlton
Jihad Dib MP
Chris Minns
VRA Rescue NSW Deputy Commissioner, Alix Thom

30/09/2026

We do what we do, safely.

We might make rescue look easy, but there’s a whole lot of training, preparation, planning and safety behind every move we make.

Our volunteers train hard, continually build their skills and follow rigorous safety processes so when the time comes to respond, they’re ready to do what they do best.

Because when you’re part of VRA Rescue NSW, safety isn’t an extra. It’s part of the job.

Here’s to Safe Work Month and to keeping our volunteers safe while they keep our communities safe.

VRA Rescue NSW Commissioner, Brenton Charlton
Jihad Dib MP
Chris Minns
VRA Rescue NSW Deputy Commissioner, Alix Thom
SafeWork NSW
Safe Work Australia