About The Royal Humane Society of NSW
The Royal Humane Society of NSW was founded in 1877 to honour the bravery of those who risk their lives to save others in life-threatening situations. Since then it has presented over 6,200 awards to civilians, members of the NSW emergency services, volunteers and children.
Our Mission
To honour the bravery of those who risk their lives to save others.
“Australians don’t run away from danger, they run towards it”
“You will never do anything in this world without courage”
Governance: The Society’s Council consists of a Patron, President, Chair, Vice Chair, Honorary Secretary and Public Officer, Honorary Treasurer, Honorary Media Officer and Councillors. The Commissioners of the NSW Police Force, Fire and Rescue NSW, NSW Ambulance, the State Emergency Service of NSW, and the NSW Rural Fire Service are ex officio members.
We are grateful for the pro bono professional services we receive from our Honorary Solicitors Norton Rose Fulbright Australia, our Honorary Auditors Cutcher and Neale Accounting and Financial Services.
Patron: Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of New South Wales.
President: Colonel Alexander (Fred) Dangar, Retired
Chair: Mr. David Turner
Vice Chair: Ms. Kathy Merrick
Honorary Secretary and Public Officer: Mr James Smith
Honorary Treasurer: Mr Chris Honey
Honorary Media Officer: Mr Andrew Parsons
Councillors:
Ms. Kim Anderson
Dr. Barry Catchlove AM
Colonel John Hutcheson AM, ADC Retired
The Hon. Michael Pembroke KC
Mr. Peter Stathis AFSM
Mr. Mitchell Parker JP
Commissioner Karen Webb APM, NSW Police Force
Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell AFSM, Fire and Rescue NSW
Commissioner Dr Dominic Morgan ASM, Ambulance Service of NSW
Commissioner Rob Rogers AFSM, NSW Rural Fire Service
Acting Commissioner Debbie Platz APM, NSW State Emergency Service
Assistant Secretary: Ms Sandra Kyriakopoulos
Regional Ambassadors:
Ms. Michelle de Friskbom
Mr. Mark Elm
Mr. Eamonn Purcell
Honorary Solicitors: Norton Rose Fulbright Australia
Auditors: Cutcher and Neale Accounting and Financial Services
Webmaster: Looking Glass Creative
Our Patrons
Patron-in-Chief, His Majesty King Charles III
Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of New South Wales
The Society is most grateful for the Vice-Regal patronage accorded by all Governors of New South Wales since 1877.
The Governor hosts the Society’s annual investiture at Government House, Sydney to present our bravery awards and meet recipients and their families.
OUR REGIONAL AMBASSADOR PROGRAM
The Society is extending its community outreach across the whole of NSW with a new regional Ambassador program.
The Ambassadors’ remit is to liaise with NSW emergency services, government agencies, community organisations and regional media to:
Promote the Society and its bravery mission throughout NSW
To ensure that all emergency services personnel and members of our communities who risk their lives to save others in hazardous situations are brought to the Society’s attention for bravery awards.
The Ambassador team:
Mr Mitchell Parker JP (New England North West, Hunter & Central Coast)
Mrs Michelle de Friskbom (South Coast)
Mr Mark Elm (Mid & North Coast)
Mr Eamonn Purcell (Riverina Murray)
Mr Andrew Parsons (Central and Far West)
The Ambassadors all have many years of experience in NSW state emergency services and between them have received a number of awards for bravery. Their leader, Mitch Parker, was awarded the Society’s Silver Medal in 2019, when as a Captain for Fire and Rescue NSW, he demonstrated outstanding courage in leading a team in a series of dangerous in-water rescues during a flash flood at Stroud.
The Ambassador team pictured with Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, governor of NSW at the Society’s 2024 investiture at Government House Sydney.
L to R: Mr Mitchell Parker JP, Councillor and Ambassador Lead; Mr Mark Elm, Ambassador; The Honourable Michael Pembroke KC, Councillor; Mrs Michelle De Friskbom, Ambassador; Her Excellency the Governor of NSW; Mr James Smith AFSM, Honorary Secretary; Ms Sandra Kyriakopoulos, Assistant Secretary; Mr David Turner, Council Chair; Ms Kathy Merrick, Council Vice Chair; Mr Eamonn Purcell, Ambassador.
Awards
We award Gold, Silver and Bronze medals and Certificates of Merit, plus special awards for children and for acts of outstanding bravery. Recipients receive their awards at an annual investiture at Government House, Sydney.
Nominations
Nominations are received from citizens and from the New South Wales emergency services: The NSW Police Force, NSW Ambulance, Fire and Rescue NSW, the State Emergency Service of NSW and the NSW Rural Fire Service.
Financial management and annual report
The Society’s accounts are independently audited and are included in an annual report submitted to the NSW Government. We are very grateful for the ongoing financial support we receive from several government agencies, corporations and citizens. Donations enable us to extend our community outreach and grow our awards program.
The Society is a registered gift recipient with the Australian Taxation Office, and all donations over $2 are tax deductible.
Location
The Society is located at Level 3, City Fire Station, 213 Castlereagh St, Sydney, New South Wales, 2000