KEY PERSONNEL | VMR691 Port Hedland

[YOUNGEST VMR GROUP IN WA]

ABOUT ZAC

Position: Commander
Profession: Progress Rail Locomotive Service Engineer
Bio: Zac is from Springfield, Missouri, USA and has been in Port Hedland since 2012. He joined the VMR team in November 2014 where he started as a rescue boat crew volunteer. A few months after joining the group, Zac became the Commander of the group and has built the team up to where it is today. Zac holds a Coxswain Grade 1NC certificate and is very active on the rescue vessels doing training, marine search and rescues and vessel maintenance. Zac was nominated for the DFES Volunteer Marine Rescue’s “Outstanding Individual Contribution Award”, where he then won the award at the Western Australia Fire and Emergency Service Conference in September 2019.

Position: Deputy Commander
Profession: Norwest Cranes Fleet Manager
Bio: AJ is from Albany, Western Australia and has been in Port Hedland since 2001. He joined the VMR team in March 2016 where he started as an active rescue crew member. Not long after joining the group AJ took on the role on Maintenance Officer, shortly after stepping into the Secretary role, and then in 2020 AJ became the group Deputy Commander. AJ holds a Coxswain Grade 1NC Certificate and has been trained in Marine Search and Rescue. He also has an extensive local knowledge of the Port Hedland coastline, is an active vessel skipper, and helps with the groups training.

Position: Secretary
Profession: Business Lecturer, North Regional TAFE
Bio: Cathy is from Perth, WA but has called Port Hedland home since May 2021. She became a member of Marine Rescue Port Hedland in July 2022, beginning as a volunteer boat crew member and was appointed VMR's secretary in August 2022. Cathy holds her Recreational Skippers and LROCP licence. Cathy looks forward to extending her knowledge of the Port Hedland coastline, growing the volunteer base for Marine Rescue Port Hedland and continuing her training in Marine Rescue.

Position: Secretary
Profession: Pilbara Ports – Communications
Bio: Russell is from South Australia but has spent most of his life in WA. He moved to Port Hedland in 2021 and began training as a crew member with VMR soon after. He took part in the Pilbara MARSAR 2023 and has completed training to VMR5 Restricted Skipper. Russell will help you out with your training records, process memberships and order uniforms.

Position: Treasurer
Profession: Blackwoods Area Operations Manager (PH,NW&BM)
Bio: Originally from Zimbabwe, Allen has called Australia home since 2006 and has been a Port Hedland resident for the past 8 and ½ years. He joined the VMR team in April 2017 as an active crew member and with time put his hand up for the group Treasurer role and has been in that capacity since August 2017. Muzz as he is affectionately known is just finalising his attainment of a Coxswain Grade 1NC certificate and has participated in the WA Water Police Marine Search and Rescue course. Muzz is an active member of the group in most capacities from deck hand to skippering duties on our various vessels during simulated and actual search and rescue missions.