BEHIND THE SEEN

16/02/2026

I totally agree with Mark Levy, as he isn't holding back on the "digital witness" culture and the constant scrutiny facing the NSW Police.

12/02/2026

National Emergency Medal
The National Emergency Medal is an operational service medal established in 2011 and issued by the Australian Government. It recognises significant or sustained service to others in response to declared nationally-significant emergencies in Australia. To date the medal has been issued in regard to the following declared national emergencies.
- Floods February 2022
- Bushfires 2019-20
- North Queensland Floods 2019
- Tropical Cyclone Debbie 2017
- Queensland Floods 2010-11 and Cyclone Yasi
- Victorian Bushfires 2009
This award is a circular medal of nickel silver, ensigned with the Australian coat of arms. The front of the medal features a central image of a stylised representation of the wattle, Australia’s national floral emblem. Around the central image is a ring of flowering wattle, representing the accomplishments and sacrifices made by Australians in the service of others, in times of crisis.
The back of the Medal repeats the ring of the flowering wattle and includes the words - For service to others in a national emergency - and includes the engraved name of the recipient.
The ribbon includes outer bands of eucalyptus green, with metallic gold and eucalyptus green stripes. Gold symbolises the Australian sun, optimism and hope, while eucalyptus green complements the symbolism of the medal design. The seven gold bands represent Australia’s six states, with the seventh representing the territories. This medal is worn on the left hand side.

11/02/2026

Former Police Officer Vincent Hurley tells a few home truths to politicians.

Years on the front line of domestic violence surfaced in a frustration-filled moment on national television for Vincent Hurley. He explains what motivates him to keep fighting for change.

06/02/2026

Fire & Rescue NSW Unit Commendation for Courageous Action.

This citation is awarded to a group combined and acting as a unit who have distinguished themselves by showing courage in exceptionally difficult and dangerous situations.
The NSW Fire Brigades Unit Commendation for Courageous Action was instituted on 7th July 1994. The insignia design was changed slightly on 25th June 2006. On 1st January 2011 the insignia design was changed and the name of the award was changed to the Fire & Rescue NSW Unit Commendation for Courageous Action.
The insignia is an enamel gilt gold rectangle frame, 32 mm wide
and 3 mm deep surrounding red and gold stripes in enamel, The
enamel is gold, with a central vertical stripe in red 4 mm wide,
flanked by two vertical stripes 4 mm wide in red on each outer
edge.
Pre January 2011, the design consisted of an insignia of enamel
gilt gold rectangle frame, 32 mm wide and 3 mm deep surrounding
a red and gold stripe in enamel, each 15mm wide and 10mm
deep.
The award is worn on the right hand side above the firefighters name badge. Even though a firefighter may receive this award a second or even third time, only one insignia of the commendation is ever worn by the recipient.

03/02/2026

The National Medal
The National Medal is Australia's most awarded civilian medal. It recognises long and diligent service by members of recognised government and voluntary organisations that risk their lives or safety to protect or assist the community.
Established in 1975, the medal recognises 15 years of diligent service by members of the Australian Defence Force, Australian police forces, fire, ambulance and other emergency services.
The Medal is circular ensigned with the Crown of St Edward. Made of bronze with the arms of the Commonwealth of Australia contained within a wide rim carrying the inscription “The National Medal for Service”. The ribbon is 15 alternating gold and blue narrow vertical strips, each strip symbolising a year of diligent service. This medal is worn on the left hand side.

30/01/2026

From our good friend Gary Raymond.

355 deaths on NSW roads in 2025.
685 suicides in NSW in 2025.
75 murders in NSW in 2025.
Does that tell us we need my Rotary Clubs Su***de & Homicide Prevention more than ever this year?
Watch the following reel to learn Su***de & Homicide Prevention. You will save lives.

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

24/01/2026

Partners of first responders are often the quiet support system behind recovery. We listen, adapt, carry worry, hold families together and walk alongside trauma that isn’t ours, yet deeply affects us.

And still, our experiences are rarely researched, named or fully understood.
A current research project is seeking to better understand the mental health and wellbeing of partners of emergency responders living with PTSD symptoms. The aim is simple but important: to recognise the impact this has on partners, and to use that knowledge to inform better support systems and interventions in the future.

This matters because our wellbeing matters too.
Living alongside PTSD can affect sleep, mental health, relationships, parenting and identity. Many partners minimise their own experience because the focus is understandably on the responder. But support that overlooks partners misses a vital part of the picture.

Participating in research like this is one way to help ensure partners are seen, heard and considered in future policy, services and care. It’s not about fixing everything. It’s about building understanding so support can be more informed, inclusive and effective.

If you are a partner of a first responder experiencing PTSD symptoms and feel able, we encourage you to consider taking part. Your voice could help shape change — not just for you, but for others walking this path.

Because caring for someone affected by trauma can affect you too - and that deserves recognition.

If you are interested in participating, please visit: https://redcap.link/partnermh

22/01/2026

Hard to write this.
We have had 2 amazing companion animals for the past 11 years, firstly "Ralph", then we adopted "Louie" who was a rescue pug.
Our Louie A.K.A Arse Clown No #2 isn't well at all.
The trip to the vet today didn't provide us with positive news, and we left there knowing our little mate doesn't have long.
Louie is an amazing Pug, and we cherish everyday with him, as does our other Pug Ralph A.K.A Arse Clown No #1.

20/01/2026

11/01/2026

Sad news to share.

09/01/2026

Well, well, well… NSW Ambulance appears to have found yet another way to stuff up recruitment.

This afternoon, we received reports that Rescue Course applicants were incorrectly advised they were progressing to the next stage, only for NSW Ambulance to pull the rug out from under them….AGAIN!

First they were told they were unsuccessful. Then they were told they were progressing to the next stage.

Celebrations probably followed.
Then came the follow-up: Oops…our mistake.

It’s not a typo.
It’s not a small slip.
It’s people’s careers being mucked around.

And if the APA (NSW) recruitment dispute is making executives at the SOC a bit twitchy, then good. Let us be clear: APA (NSW) is not backing down!

If you are a Member and you have been impacted, we want to have a chat with you. Please contact us.