Marine Rescue flies vibrant flag for respect and diversity

Marine Rescue flies vibrant flag for respect

Contingent builds a boat and steers it on to the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Marine Rescue NSW always needs a committed crew and a sturdy rescue vessel to operate at its peak. And we had both on parade at this year’s Sydney Mardi Gras.

Our crew in blue built a boat in Moore Park and sailed it on to the hallowed turf of the Sydney Cricket Ground, rising on a tide of thunderous applause on Saturday, March 6.

Almost 40 volunteers, staff, family and friends joined our contingent to send a strong - and vibrant - message of inclusivity, respect and diversity.

Commissioner Stacey Tannos said the service’s participation in Mardi Gras reflected its commitment to welcoming and serving people from all walks of life.

“We are a reflection of the community we serve. Our diversity is a great strength and we want to ensure everyone feels welcome in our organisation,” he said.

COVID-19 restrictions saw this year’s Mardi Gras move from its traditional home on Oxford Street to the SCG, with a crowd of about 36,000 people enjoying the big arena spectacular. About 5,000 participants from more than 100 LGBTQI+ and community groups took part. MRNSW marched in our third parade alongside our emergency services colleagues.

Volunteers from MR Port Jackson, Middle Harbour, Broken Bay, Terrey Hills, Botany Port Hacking, Central Coast, Port Kembla and Bermagui and Headquarters staff members joined in to support members of the LGBTQI+ communities, colleagues, family and friends.

MR Bermagui Coxswain Volker Aebischer said he had travelled to take part in memory of his friend and fellow unit member Di Manning, who had passed away in 2019.

With Headquarters IT Support Officer Matt Sims and Grants and Sponsorship Manager Mat Smith as

The Marine Rescue NSW crew in blue assembles in Moore Park ahead of the 2021 Sydney Mardi Gras Parade, sending a strong message of respect, diversity and inclusivity.

crew members, Volker steered our course around the ground from the helm of our corflute rescue vessel.

MR Central Coast member Megan Loaney said she had had an “absolutely incredible experience”.

“I thought it would be a fantastic opportunity and being a part of the LGBTQIA+ community, I was thrilled at the idea of meeting other Marine Rescue members who were also part of the community. I will remember it for the rest of my life.”

MR Port Jackson Training Officer David Mills has worked with Mardi Gras in an operations capacity for 15 years, including as Operations Coordinator for the first time this year.

“I’ve never been in the parade as a participant, however, due to the change to a COVID-safe parade from Oxford Street to the SCG this year, it not only provided me an opportunity to do my much loved role in Operations but also march with Marine Rescue, an organisation I absolutely love volunteering for,” he said. “The diversity I see in Marine Rescue is a strength that we should be very proud of and thankful for in an organisation where our similarities and differences are celebrated.”

MR Botany Port Hacking recruit Mary King said that as a new member, it was great to see MRNSW support LGBTQIA+ communities.

“Interacting with other unit members at Mardi Gras who are supporters as well felt very wholesome and welcoming. It was an all-around terrific time and I appreciated other unit members’ contribution to make everything happen. Having my partner by my side during this occasion made it much more meaningful,” she said.

MR Broken Bay Unit Commander Jimmy Arteaga said supporting Mardi Gras was an extension of Marine Rescue’s values of respect, inclusiveness and acceptance of all members.

“By participating in the event, I got the opportunity to demonstrate our values of supporting diversity and inclusiveness while having a really fun time with my MRNSW colleagues,” he said.

and diversity in big arena Mardi Gras

Members of the MRNSW contingent, complete with a floating rescue vessel, rise on the tide of thunderous applause as they enter the Sydney Cricket Ground, before being greeted by our theme song, Rescue Me.

MR Port Jackson on parade ... Kat Harding, David Mills, Emma Strowbridge, Pauline Ramsey, Sophia Psaltis and Jade Nolan.