One of Marine Rescue Queensland’s busiest Units has celebrated an important milestone, marking one year since MRQ Bribie Island became part of Queensland’s statewide marine rescue service.
Volunteers, MRQ leaders and supporters came together recently to recognise the anniversary and reflect on a year that has seen the Unit continue its long-standing commitment to keeping the local boating community safe.
MRQ Chief Officer Tony Wulff was among those attending the celebration, alongside South East Regional Coordinator Scott Burger and North Coast Regional Coordinator John Wood.
MRQ Bribie Island Unit Commander Gary Voss said the first year had brought plenty of change, but also demonstrated the benefits of being part of a single statewide service.
“As part of MRQ we are able to offer boaters one continuous marine safety service up and down the coast of Queensland — no more ‘are you a member of this or that unit’ before we go out and rescue people,” Mr Voss said.
Mr Burger, who has supported Bribie Island throughout its first year with MRQ, said it had been a privilege to work alongside the unit during such a significant period of change.
“MRQ Bribie Island is one of the most active Units in Queensland, and it has been an absolute privilege to support you through your first year with MRQ,” he said.
Mr Burger acknowledged that bringing together a new statewide marine rescue service had involved challenges and change, thanking members for the professionalism and patience they had shown throughout the transition.
“I am grateful for your patience, your professionalism and your willingness to navigate some rough seas as we worked through this transition together,” he said.
For Mr Burger, the anniversary also provided an opportunity to reflect on why the work of MRQ’s volunteers matters.
Before joining MRQ, he spent 26 years in policing and developed a passion for the marine environment during a posting to Jervis Bay, where he gained his Coxswain qualification and worked alongside marine rescue volunteers on search and rescue operations.
His later experiences with marine rescue services in New South Wales and Western Australia helped shape his belief in the potential of a single, integrated marine rescue service for Queensland.
Since joining MRQ, he said working alongside volunteers across the South East Region had reinforced that decision.
“Seeing the passion, commitment and selflessness of our members — people who routinely put family time, personal commitments and their own comfort aside to assist others in their time of need — is something that continually inspires me,” he said.
That commitment has been on display throughout Bribie Island’s first year with MRQ, with crews regularly responding to incidents across the busy waterways surrounding Bribie Island and Moreton Bay.
Mr Voss said despite the changes and challenges of the past year, the focus of the unit and its volunteers had remained the same.
“Our core objectives and our role in the community have not changed one bit,”.
“Thanks to all of our volunteers, and with the support of their partners and families, we have maintained an absolute focus on what is important — the safety and wellbeing of our boating community and our volunteers.”
Mr Burger said seeing crews respond, including in challenging conditions, had been a source of immense pride throughout the year.
He finished by recognising not only the contribution of Bribie Island’s volunteers, but also the families who support them.
“Thank you for the countless hours you volunteer. Thank you for the sacrifices you and your families make. And thank you for the work you do every single day to keep Queensland’s boating community safe.”
One year into its MRQ journey, Bribie Island continues to build on its proud history of marine rescue — backed by a growing statewide service and the same volunteers committed to being there when Queenslanders need them on the water.