Australasian Rescue Organisation

12/09/2026

🌊🏆 International Recognition for Water Rescue Excellence 🏆🌊

Members of the ARO Water Rescue Technical Committee have been formally presented with the 2026 Higgins and Langley Awards Special Commendation Award during the Australasian Water Rescue Challenge (AWRC) 2026 and the Australasian Rescue Boat Challenge (ARBC) 2026. 🙌

🎖️Widely regarded as one of the highest honours in the international water rescue community, the award recognises the committee's outstanding contribution to advancing water rescue capability through the delivery and continued development of the AWRC and ARBC. 🌊

🎓The recognition acknowledges the committee's exemplary leadership, unwavering commitment to participant and responder safety, robust governance and risk management practices, and the development of programs that have achieved a globally recognised best-practice standard in water rescue capability development.🚣‍♂️

🌎 The award was presented by Special Agent Jason Mohler, Regional Security Officer from the in Sydney, alongside senior representatives from recipient agencies. 🇺🇸

👏 Congratulations the 2026 Higgins and Langley Award receipts:
🎖️Kathryn Crofts
🎖️Anthony Jones
🎖️Daniel van Keimpema
🎖️Dave Bowing
🎖️Garry Silk
🎖️Anthony Northbrook-Hine
🎖️James Boland
🎖️Troy Jones
🎖️Matthew Roser
🎖️Neil Francis

👏This recognition reflects the commitment, professionalism and dedication of not only the recipients, but also the many volunteers, assessors, partner agencies and supporters who have helped build the AWRC and ARBC into internationally respected programs. 🤝

🫶A special acknowledgment must also be given to Shannon Crofton ESM CF, whose vision, leadership and relentless commitment have been instrumental in the success of the AWRC and ARBC. From concept through to delivery, Shannon has championed a culture of safety, collaboration, professionalism and continuous improvement in water and boat rescue. This international recognition would not have been possible without his leadership and dedication to advancing water rescue capability across Australasia and the world.🏆🌊🚑

🏆The award acknowledges the achievements and contributions made through previous AWRC and ARBC events, recognising their role in promoting safe operating practices, fostering collaboration, supporting professional development, and establishing a benchmark for excellence that is respected throughout the international water rescue community.🌏

🙌Congratulations to everyone involved in this outstanding achievement and thank you for your continued commitment to making rescue safer, more effective and more professional across Australasia and beyond. 🎉🌏🚣‍♂️💙

11/09/2026

👏 Behind Every Great Challenge is an Incredible Team 👏

👏The success of the Australasian Water Rescue Challenge (AWRC) 2026 and Australasian Rescue Boat Challenge (ARBC) 2026 would not have been possible without the dedication, professionalism and countless hours contributed by our Challenge Management Team. 😎

💪From assessors and safety officers to support members - including the multi-agency planning team, AV & ICT, timekeepers, runners, registration, logistics personnel, administration, equipment crews and operational support teams - every member played a critical role in delivering a safe, realistic and rewarding experience for all participants.🤜🤛

🫶Their commitment ensured that competitors could challenge themselves in a professional environment that prioritised learning, capability development, collaboration and safety.🎓

🙏 Thank you to everyone who worked behind the scenes to plan, coordinate and deliver these outstanding events. Your expertise, leadership and passion for rescue excellence are what make these challenges possible year after year.👏

The rescue community is stronger because of your efforts. Thank you💙

09/09/2026

🎙️Tell us what you think! 🎙️

🎖️We are committed to continuously improving our training, professional development opportunities, partnerships, and participant experience, and your feedback is an important part of that process.🎤

🚣If you participated in the Australasian Rescue Organisation (ARO) - 2026 Australasian Water Rescue Challenge (AWRC), Australasian Rescue Boat Challenge (ARBC) and the Water and Boat Rescue Professional Development activities, we would appreciate it if you could take a few minutes to complete our feedback survey and share your thoughts on the events, including what worked well and any suggestions for improvement. 🌊

📝Your feedback will help inform future initiatives, including training, scholarship programs, partnerships, professional development and capability-building events, and our Professional Development Pathway Program to World Rescue Organisation opportunities. 🎓

👉Scan the QR form or access the survey link here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=lBldJC995USpvtfu0nBip-MFI1a4MyhDra9cdqDlSFdUQ1hYU01IVUhESlpFSlpWQkpZSDlENlFGWC4u

🗳️Note. If you were unable to attend AWRC or ARBC 2026, but would like to provide feedback or suggestions on how we can provide more opportunities and improve, feel free to fill in the form to share with us all the same.

✍️We look forward to hearing your insights and if you have any questions, feel free to reach out.☎️

On behalf of the Water Rescue Lead and Technical Committee and the Trauma Care & Medical Rescue Lead, thank you for your time, contribution and support of this event and making it a success. 💙

07/09/2026

📸Look What Jack Snapped 📸

🙌A huge shoutout to local photographer, Jack, who spent the day documenting these incredible moments, energy and connections formed from the Australasian Water Rescue Challenge (AWRC) 2026 and the Australasian Rescue Boat Challenge (ARBC) 2026. 🫶

✨From rescue scenarios and boat operations to the moments in between, these photos provide a lasting record of an incredible day of learning, competition and collaboration. Thank you for helping us see our water & boat rescue community through a fresh perspective and preserving today's memories for years to come. 💙

📷 Be sure to check out and support What Jack Snapped for some fantastic images from the event. Please credit What Jack Snapped for any photo use.

06/09/2026

🚤 Australasian Rescue Boat Challenge 2026 Results 🚤

🏆 Congratulations to all teams who participated in the Australasian Rescue Boat Challenge (ARBC) 2026.

Once again, ARBC brought together rescue boat operators from across Australasia to test their skills, strengthen interagency relationships and demonstrate excellence in rescue boat operations. The event showcased exceptional boat handling, operational capability, teamwork, leadership and an unwavering commitment to safety across the rescue sector.

ARBC 2026 Results

🥇 Challenge Champions: NSW SES Team 1
🥈 2nd Place: Surf Life Saving NSW
🥉 3rd Place: NSW SES Team 2

🏅 Best Team Leader: VRA Rescue NSW
🏅 Best Medic: Surf Life Saving NSW
🏅 Spirit of the Challenge: Marine Rescue NSW Team 2
🏅 Champions of Safety: Marine Rescue NSW Team 1
🏅 President's Commendation: Marine Rescue NSW Team 2
🏅 Capability Excellence: VRA Rescue NSW

🌟 Congratulations to all winners and participants for a fantastic competition. The Challenge highlighted the outstanding skill, adaptability and professionalism required to operate safely and effectively in dynamic on-water rescue environments.

🙌 A special thank you to every competitor, assessor, safety officer, volunteer, sponsor and supporter who contributed to the success of ARBC 2026. Events like these provide a unique opportunity to exchange knowledge, challenge ourselves, learn from each other and continue raising the standard of rescue boat operations across the region.

🚤 From precision boat handling and teamwork to leadership and safety, ARBC continues to showcase the very best of the rescue community.

RESCUE DONE RIGHT



Fire and Rescue NSW
Marine Rescue NSW
NSW SES
Surf Life Saving NSW
VRA Rescue NSW

06/09/2026

🌊 Australasian Water Rescue Challenge 2026 Results 🌊

🏆 Congratulations to all teams who participated in the Australasian Water Rescue Challenge (AWRC) 2026. The event showcased outstanding operational capability, teamwork, leadership, safety, and a commitment to continuous improvement across the rescue sector.

AWRC 2026 Results

🥇 Challenge Champions: Fire and Rescue NSW
🥈 2nd Place: Multiagency Team 1
🥉 3rd Place: Multiagency Team 2

🏅 Best Team Leader: NSW SES
🏅 Best Medic: VRA Rescue NSW
🏅 Spirit of the Challenge: Multiagency Team 2
🏅 Champions of Safety: VRA Rescue NSW
🏅 President's Commendation: Multiagency Team 2
🏅 Capability Excellence: NSW SES
🏅 Team Sprint Winners: Fire and Rescue NSW

👏 A huge congratulations to all award recipients and participants. Whether competing for trophies, sharing knowledge, mentoring others or learning new skills, every team contributed to the success of the Challenge. 🥳

🤝Thank you to all competitors, assessors, safety officers, volunteers, sponsors and supporters who made AWRC 2026 such a success. Your dedication continues to strengthen water rescue capability across Australasia and supports better outcomes for the communities we serve.

Together, we are building safer communities through continual improvement, innovation and operational excellence.

RESCUE DONE RIGHT



Fire and Rescue NSW
Marine Rescue NSW
NSW SES
Surf Life Saving NSW
VRA Rescue NSW

05/09/2026

What a great day!

Was great to see all agencies working together.

05/09/2026

05/09/2026