Three dedicated Marine Rescue NSW members have been recognised in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours List, each receiving the prestigious Emergency Services Medal (ESM) for their outstanding service and commitment to maritime safety and rescue.
The Emergency Services Medal honours distinguished service by members of Australia’s emergency services, as well as those involved in emergency management, training or education.
This year’s Marine Rescue NSW recipients are:
- Lance Miller, long-serving volunteer with Marine Rescue Middle Harbour
- Alex Barrell, Commissioner, Marine Rescue NSW
- Steve Raymond, Marine Rescue NSW Hunter Central Coast Zone Duty Operations Manager
Marine Rescue NSW Chair Jim Glissan AM ESM KC congratulated the trio and said their recognition is well deserved.
“Their dedication and commitment to serving boaters and those who enjoy our waterways is appreciated not only by Marine Rescue NSW but by the wider community,” Mr Glissan said.
“All three are highly experienced in maritime search and rescue and generously share their knowledge within the Service. This honour is a testament to their exceptional contributions to public safety and emergency response.”
Commissioner Alex Barrell ESM
Commissioner Alex Barrell has dedicated over three decades to frontline emergency services, specialising in maritime rescue and emergency management. Starting as a surf lifesaver at age five, his career has spanned roles in Surf Life Saving NSW, the NSW Police Force Marine Area Command, and Transport for NSW Maritime. During the 2019–2020 Black Summer bushfires, he played a key role in marine evacuations.
Since joining Marine Rescue NSW in 2020, Commissioner Barrell has helped modernise the fleet and led key emergency responses, including flood rescues and COVID-19 support operations. He was appointed Commissioner in 2023 and also serves as the only Australian trustee on the International Maritime Rescue Federation board.
Lance Miller ESM
With 50 years of continuous service, Lance Miller is a cornerstone of Marine Rescue Middle Harbour. Joining the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol in 1975, Mr Miller has led countless complex rescue operations and remains an active Marine Rescue NSW Master and mentor to new recruits.
Known for his calm leadership and unwavering commitment, Mr Miller has saved lives in high-risk conditions on Sydney Harbour and beyond. His service has shaped the culture and capability of his unit, and he is widely respected for his integrity and humility.
Lance is a highly committed volunteer and has been commuting from Penrith for decades to serve at the unit.
“I originally joined to learn how to drive a boat because I liked fishing, but the more time I spent with the team, the more I realised this is where I belonged,” he said.
Steve Raymond ESM
Steve Raymond brings decades of combined volunteer and professional service to Marine Rescue NSW. His career began in 1989 with the NSW Rural Fire Service and evolved into senior fire control and training roles before he joined Marine Rescue NSW in 2016.
As Regional Training Manager, Regional Operations Manager, and now Zone Duty Operations Manager, Mr Raymond has played a crucial role in coordinating search and rescue operations, supporting volunteers, and enhancing training and emergency response capabilities.
His extensive operational knowledge, commitment to volunteer development, and strategic leadership have been instrumental in advancing Marine Rescue NSW’s mission of saving lives on the water.
Marine Rescue NSW is a volunteer based not-for-profit professional organisation dedicated to keeping boaters safe on the water and supporting local communities.
