Marine Rescue Narooma

22/08/2026

BIRD FLU AND YOU

This information is provided from Bermagui and Montague Vets to share: Thank you to our vets for all they do for our pets and wildlife

As a community, we will have to work together through this challenging scenario.

Marine Rescue Narooma will be sending a representative to an upcoming workshop on Bird Flu protocols, but we all can play a part in keeping or fauna and ourselves safe.

H5N1 BIRD FLU update - PLEASE SHARE

We now have confirmed cases in Narooma, Eden, and Merimbula.

Crested Terns seem to be worst affected at the moment. Other birds at high risk include our beautiful Sea Eagles, Black Swans, Pelicans, Penguins and Seagulls.

While we don’t see too many penguins at our base, we do get visits from plenty of other native ( and other) bird species and our boat crew can encounter penguins when training near Baranguba (Montague Island) and of course seals!!

Many people walk their dogs (or sans dog ) past our base and along local beaches.Together, we can play a role to be on the lookout for what is happening to our local bird life and seals

How you can help:

Be an extra set of eyes: Take time to observe birds, (keeping a safe distance and use binoculars or a camera zoom lens ) to check for any signs of unwell or dead birds.

In particular, be on the lookout for these signs:

☢️ SIGNS of Infection in Birds:
* Movement issues: unable to walk, stand, or fly
* Neurological trouble: tremors, lack of coordination, swimming in circles, twisted neck and posture
* Respiratory distress: Coughing, sneezing, trouble breathing
* Appearance: Swelling around head, neck, cloudy eyes
* General sickness: Droopy, puffed-up, ruffled feathers, watery diarrhoea

☢️ DO NOT touch any sick birds.
Please keep your dogs away from birds to not to stress the birds and also not to run the risk of spreading the virus.

☢️ CALL the 24 hr Emergency Hotline Number 1800 675 888
if you see sick birds struggling or dead. The hotline responder will then triage the situation and make a decision on whether to send teams to investigate. (Note: As mortality numbers climb, not every bird will be checked)

☢️ H5N1 is an extremely aggressive and highly pathogenic virus. It causes near 100% mortality in infected poultry and high death rates in wild birds.

The part that is also concerning.. it’s trans species…The virus also infects mammals, *including cats, moves fast, attacks blood vessel linings, causing swelling and internal bleeding. Death can happen within 24 hours.

There is no reliable veterinary treatment at present

☢️ Should you find infected birds on your property please call the Hotline number to receive advice on how to safely dispose of the carcasses.

Let’s all play our part to keep our wildlife, pets and each other safe 🙏

Team work makes the dream work

19/08/2026

Our unit held its Annual General Meeting last night at Narooma Golf Club.

This is our time to reflect on all we’ve achieved over the past year and acknowledge and celebrate important milestones

The past year has been a roller coaster for our unit , with the loss of a member to cancer and serious health challenges for a few others.

Despite this, we’ve kept going and in particular, our training team have punched above their weight with a record number of operational assessments as was evident with the presentation of some of the epaulettes and certificates of proficiency that were gained over the past year.

Our unit paid tribute and thanked some key supporters namely Narooma Golf Club, Whale Coast Realty and Mystery Bay Cottages and certificates of appreciation were presented to Narooma Golf Club Captain Peter Kearney AFSM who accepted certificates on behalf of the Golf Club and Whale Coast Realty.

Our Guest of Honour, Zone Manager Mike Hammond, addressed our unit on key organisational updates before handing out several awards and acknowledging some of the recipients who were unable to attend:

25 year Service Clasp Ross Constable ESM (who was an apology)

20 year Service Clasp to Ian Noormets (who was an apology)

15 year Service Clasp to Illya Naumoski

Five year service pin to Steve Moody

Five year service pin to Geoff Rayner ( and his dog Hank who also stood by on all of his human dads watches )

Five year service pin to Bob Struthers

Ratings:

MR Crew Rating to Louise Foster

MR Crew Rating to Cathy Moffitt

MR Crew Rating to Jason Cockayne (who was an apology)

MR Crew Rating to Rob Scott (who was an apology )

MR Coxswain Restricted to Sue Hall

MR Coxswain Restricted to Bob Struthers who is now duel rated as he is also a Watch Officer

MR Radio Operator to Linda Ridley

Mike also made special mention of our units Volunteering NSW Volunteer Group of the year nominees: Members of our Training team consisting of Craig Petterd, Mike Amos, Paul Gaston, Mike Eburn, Steve Moody and Ross Constable, whose efforts are evident with the number of ratings not only from tonight but throughout the past year.

(Our unit and individual members have previously been nominated for this and the individual category in 2019 and 2023 respectively)

UC Scott Bowden gave heartfelt thanks to everyone for their efforts and support .

He made special mention to DUC James Halliday who stepped into the UC role when necessary.

He also paid tribute to IT Officer Bob Struthers, Welfare Officer Jan Ryan and recently appointed Base Operations Manager David White who stepped up after the passing of former BOM Tony Fahey. These members really stepped up in Base matters over the past few months.

We look forward to the next year and the challenges we will rise to meet as we always do

Well done Team Blue. 2026-27 … Bring it!

11/07/2026

Marine Rescue Narooma is delighted to welcome Jason Cockayne to the team of qualified Boat Crew. Jason demonstrated exceptional skill in his Operational Assessment today. His commitment to saving lives at sea has paid off after months of hard work. Congratulations Jason. Marine Rescue Narooma

04/07/2026

26/06/2026

14/06/2026

Double congratulations due !

We welcome Linda Ridley to the Narooma radio roster after she successfully completed her Radio Operators Operational Assessment this morning

She was not the only one in the hot seat ….

We also congratulate Michael Eburn who was successfully validated as an assessor by Assessor Gilly for the Radio Operator rating in addition to his existing First Aid assessor’s role .

Congratulations to you both.

09/06/2026

Today is Thank a First Responder Day.

A huge thank you to our dedicated Marine Rescue NSW volunteers who are ready to answer the call for help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Whether on the water or behind the radio, your commitment, professionalism and selfless service help keep the boating community safe.

Thank you for all that you do.

23/05/2026

Marine Rescue Narooma is thrilled to welcome Sue Hall as its pioneering female Coxswain (Restricted) team member, marking a significant achievement that reflects her unwavering commitment, rigorous preparation, and unshakeable focus on safety, navigation, and rescue excellence. Marine Rescue Narooma

22/05/2026

A huge shout out and thank you to everyone who supported, donated and turned up to our annual golf day today!

Even the weather played nice and we had a few special guests playing including our very own Olympic hero Valentino Guseli, Eurobodalla Mayor Matt Hatcher, Councillor Laurence Babington, our Zone Manager Mike Hammond, Illawarra Zone Operations Manager Stuart Massey and some of our amazing golfing community !

We are grateful to Narooma Golf Club for hosting the event and donating two rounds of golf and a cart towards our raffle on the day and to Whale Coast Realty for sponsoring the event this year.

Congratulations to all those who won prizes both on and off the course with our raffle and 100 Club.

Hers to another great event next year at one of the most stunning golf courses