Marine Rescue Whitfords volunteer Sophie Robins has been recognised for exceptional bravery and leadership after her rapid response helped prevent a major vessel fire from spreading through Hillarys Boat Harbour.
The 24-year-old has been named the 2026 Marine Rescue Young Person of the Year as part of the Western Australian Fire and Emergency Services Awards, which recognise the contribution of volunteers, career firefighters and Department of Fire and Emergency Services personnel across the State.
Robins was among the first emergency services personnel to respond when a vessel caught fire at Hillarys Boat Harbour in September 2025. She and her crew were already nearby following a mayday response when they noticed the fire, which quickly engulfed the upper section of the fibreglass vessel.
Recognising the immediate threat to surrounding boats and harbour infrastructure, Robins disembarked onto the jetty and moved towards the burning vessel to release mooring lines. Her actions allowed nearby boats to be relocated away from the intense blaze, reducing the risk of the fire spreading through the marina.
With little opportunity to control the fire during its initial stages, the focus quickly shifted to protecting surrounding vessels and keeping people clear of the danger zone.
“A fibreglass vessel like that catching fire is very difficult to put out. By the time we got over there, the flames had already engulfed the top part of the vessel,” Robins said.
“In that case, our job just became to protect the other vessels and the lives around them, and keep people away from them.”
Robins also coordinated communications between Marine Rescue volunteers and career firefighters, assisted the Incident Controller in assessing the scene and deployed a spill kit to help contain debris. She and the other emergency personnel remained at the scene for approximately six hours.
Her contribution to Marine Rescue Whitfords extends well beyond emergency response. Since joining the group in 2024, Robins has promoted boating safety through community engagement, recruited and mentored new volunteers, supported training and led the group’s personnel team.
While honoured by the recognition, Robins said awards were not the reason people volunteered.
“It recognises the hard work that young volunteers do in volunteer emergency services, and volunteers in emergency services in general,” she said.
“We don’t do it for recognition, but it is really nice to have that acknowledgment.”
Robins was one of four recipients recognised through the new WAFES young people award categories.
DFES Young Person of the Year Shelby Robinson, 24, was acknowledged for strengthening emergency management collaboration and inclusive planning across the Goldfields-Esperance and Wheatbelt districts.
Karratha SES volunteer Zac Hill, 19, was recognised after contributing more than 350 volunteer hours and travelling almost 3000 kilometres to complete specialist operational training during his first year.
Jurien Bay Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service member Danielle Ryder, 27, received the Volunteer Firefighting Young Person of the Year Award for developing transition training that has helped young cadets progress into active emergency services roles.
The four category winners are now eligible for the inaugural WAFES Young Person of the Year Award, which will be announced at the WAFES Awards Gala Dinner at Crown Perth on Saturday, 5 September.
For more information, visit www.dfes.wa.gov.au/awards-and-events/wafes-awards
