Marine Rescue Ballina, with the support of Ballina RSL, will host a Community Memorial Service on Sunday 5 July to recognise the sacrifice, commitment and service of the unit’s volunteers and local first responders following the tragic events of 4 May.
The memorial will provide an opportunity for the Ballina community to come together, reflect, support one another and continue the healing process after an incident that profoundly affected volunteers, families, emergency services personnel and the wider community.
The service will honour the dedication of all those involved in the response and acknowledge the loss felt across the community, including the deaths of Marine Rescue Ballina volunteers Bill Ewen and Frank Petsch, the injuries sustained by four fellow volunteers, the impact on six families, and the loss of Marine Rescue Ballina’s rescue vessel.
Bill Ewen and Frank Petsch served their community with honour, courage and distinction. Their legacy of selfless service and commitment to saving lives on the water will endure.
The Community Memorial Service will commence at 11am on Sunday 5 July at RSL Memorial Park, beside the Ballina RSL Sub-Branch Cenotaph.
Marine Rescue Ballina Unit Commander Peter Hill said the memorial was an opportunity for the entire community to come together in support of one another.
“The events of 4 May touched every corner of our community. This memorial is about recognising the extraordinary commitment of our volunteers and first responders, acknowledging the profound impact the tragedy has had on so many people, and providing a space for the community to come together and heal.”
“While we will honour and remember Bill Ewen and Frank Petsch, we will also acknowledge the courage and dedication shown by all those who responded that night, including the four volunteers who were injured while selflessly answering a call for help.”
“This has been a difficult period not only for our unit, but for the six families directly affected, our fellow volunteers, emergency service personnel and the wider Ballina community. We continue to grieve with them and support them.”
“The loss of our rescue vessel was also deeply felt. It was a vessel the community helped fund and one that represented our shared commitment to keeping people safe on the water.”
“Throughout this difficult time, we have been overwhelmed by the compassion, kindness and support shown by the Ballina community. That support has been a source of strength for our volunteers and families, and we are sincerely grateful.”
“Marine Rescue Ballina remains committed to serving our community and saving lives on the water. This memorial will be an opportunity to reflect on the values of service, courage and community that continue to guide our volunteers every day.”
Unit Commander Hill thanked Ballina RSL for its assistance in organising and hosting the service.
“We are grateful to Ballina RSL for helping us deliver this important community event and for the support they have provided to our volunteers and families of those impacted by the Ballina 30 tragedy.”
The service is open to all members of the community.
For those unable to attend in person, the memorial will be livestreamed, with viewing details to be published on the Marine Rescue NSW Facebook page prior to the event.
For more information, visit www.marinerescuensw.com.au
