The Brian Prince awards recognise outstanding individual contributions to each of the emergency services

Few people have heard of John Robinson, a British physicist and mathematician born in Scotland in 1739. Robinson worked with James Watt on an early steam car and also is credited with inventing the emergency siren that can be heard in police, fire, and ambulance vehicles today. Robinson would not have imagined that nearly every person living in a major city would hear his invention every day.

But that is precisely what happens, and many people do not even think about the fact that the men and women in these vehicles are risking their lives to save others. Brian Prince was one of those, a paramedic that saved lives. Brian was a President of the Rotary club of Bundaberg East and a Past District Governor. Unfortunately, Brian passed away in 2014 and the club decided to establish the Brian Prince Award. Each year the Rotary Club of Bundaberg Central organises a gala night to recognise the work of the emergency services but also to highlight and showcase their work to the public.

The Brian Prince awards recognise outstanding individual contributions to each of the emergency services (Police, Fire, Ambulance). In recent years, the awards have expanded to include Emergency Department (Hospital). The award recipient is determined by each of the emergency services and therefore are highly valued by each of the recipients. The awards are also highly regarded by the Bundaberg Community.

There is also a media award sponsored by ABC wide bay recognising outstanding work to the emergency services area. Finally, there is a volunteer award which is voted on by a small committee comprising of some members from the Bundaberg Central Club. In this connection organisations like the Surf Life Saving clubs, Rural Firefighters are encouraged to submit applications.. Each service receives a perpetua trophyl, and the individual receives a trophy.

This year’s winners were:

QLD Ambulance Service : Advanced Care Paramedic Stephen Smith

QLD Police: Detective Senior Constable David May

QLD Fire and Emergency Service: Auxiliary Firefighter Lieutenant Darren Lawrence

Bundaberg Hospital Emergency Department: Dr Sandra Rattenbury

ABC Media : Suzanne Smith ( Nursing Unit Manager Bundaberg Base Hospital)

Volunteer: John Bedford Bundaberg Volunteer Marine Rescue     

  Rod Medew