Recognising Outstanding Service to the People of New South Wales
The State Emergency Service Association of NSW proudly congratulates NSW SES members and emergency service colleagues recognised in the Australia Day 2026 Honours List under the Australian honours system.
These honours acknowledge exceptional service, leadership and long-standing commitment to public safety and community wellbeing across New South Wales. These recipients represent the very best of the NSW SES and the broader emergency services, through their professionalism, dedication, courage and commitment to their communities.
Emergency Services Medal (ESM)
Michael Ward – Port Macquarie Unit
Michael has served with the NSW SES since 2002, contributing more than two decades of operational leadership and technical expertise. His service has spanned frontline response, training, mentoring and command roles, including six years as Unit Commander at Port Macquarie.
Michael has led teams through multiple major flood operations, severe storms and complex multi-agency responses, both locally and on deployments across the state and beyond. His passion for training and developing others has had a lasting impact on rescue capability and operational readiness across the Service.
Kathy Garancsi – Central Cluster / Metro Zone
With over 45 years of service to the NSW SES and the community, Kathy’s contribution spans volunteer and staff roles at unit, cluster and zone level. Her leadership has supported responses to some of New South Wales’ most significant emergencies, including major flooding events, bushfires and complex incident management operations.
Kathy’s commitment to building capability, supporting volunteers and engaging communities continues to strengthen preparedness, trust and resilience across the Metro Zone.
Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) – General Division
Caro Ryan – Bush Search & Rescue Unit
Caro’s service spans operational leadership within NSW SES Bush Search & Rescue, outdoor education, training and public safety advocacy. Her work has strengthened wilderness search and rescue capability, promoted safe outdoor recreation and improved community understanding of risk and preparedness.
Through leadership, education and communication, Caro has helped bridge operational expertise with community awareness, contributing to safer outcomes across New South Wales.
Bruce Hughston – Bourke Unit
Bruce’s recognition reflects decades of service to emergency response and community life in remote New South Wales. Alongside his service with the NSW SES, Bruce has made an enduring contribution through the NSW Rural Fire Service, ambulance volunteering and extensive community leadership roles.
His commitment to supporting others, whether during emergencies or through everyday community service, has had a profound and lasting impact on the people of Wanaaring and surrounding regions.
These honours recognise not only individual achievement, but the collective impact of emergency service volunteers and staff who serve communities across our state every day.
The State Emergency Service Association of NSW congratulates Michael, Kathy, Caro, and Bruce on this well-deserved recognition and thanks them for their outstanding service to the people of New South Wales.
