SESCA – the Shoalhaven Emergency Services Community Awards – exist to recognise outstanding emergency services personnel and volunteers who go above and beyond in serving the Shoalhaven community.
Each year, Rotary in the Shoalhaven invites the community to help shine a light on the quiet achievers within our emergency services. SESCA acknowledges exceptional courage, compassion, leadership and dedication to public safety, whether on the frontline or behind the scenes along with their community service outside their agencies.
These local awards are part of the broader Rotary Emergency Services Community Awards (RESCA) program, which operates at state and national levels. Outstanding Shoalhaven recipients may go on to be nominated for state or national recognition.
For specific details on award categories and who can be nominated, please visit the Categories & Eligibility page. To see how to put someone forward, visit How to Nominate.
Each year, Rotary in the Shoalhaven invites the community to help shine a light on the quiet achievers within our emergency services. SESCA acknowledges exceptional courage, compassion, leadership and dedication to public safety, whether on the frontline or behind the scenes along with their community service outside their agencies.
These local awards are part of the broader Rotary Emergency Services Community Awards (RESCA) program, which operates at state and national levels. Outstanding Shoalhaven recipients may go on to be nominated for state or national recognition.
For specific details on award categories and who can be nominated, please visit the Categories & Eligibility page. To see how to put someone forward, visit How to Nominate.
We are very honoured to have the Mayor of the Shoalhaven, Councillor Patricia White, as Patron of the Awards; and as our Ambassadors, Tracy Provest, NSW State Emergency Service and Captain John Dun AFSM, NSW Fire + Rescue
SESCA grew out of Rotary’s long-standing commitment to serving others and recognising quiet community members. Inspired by the Rotary Emergency Services Community Awards, local Rotary clubs in the Shoalhaven joined forces to create a program focused specifically on our region.
Rotary’s motto, Service Above Self, is at the heart of SESCA. The awards were established to thank emergency services personnel – both career and volunteer – whose daily work and their community service often goes unseen, yet is vital to the safety and wellbeing of our community.
SESCA is led and coordinated by Rotary volunteers, working closely with local emergency services leaders and community partners. The program is aligned with the New South Wales and national Rotary Emergency Services Community Awards, ensuring that Shoalhaven recipients can be recognised at higher levels where appropriate.
“Through SESCA we celebrate the men and women who run toward danger when others are running away. It is our way of saying thank you from the Shoalhaven community.”
– Rotary SESCA Committee Chair
Rotary’s motto, Service Above Self, is at the heart of SESCA. The awards were established to thank emergency services personnel – both career and volunteer – whose daily work and their community service often goes unseen, yet is vital to the safety and wellbeing of our community.
SESCA is led and coordinated by Rotary volunteers, working closely with local emergency services leaders and community partners. The program is aligned with the New South Wales and national Rotary Emergency Services Community Awards, ensuring that Shoalhaven recipients can be recognised at higher levels where appropriate.
“Through SESCA we celebrate the men and women who run toward danger when others are running away. It is our way of saying thank you from the Shoalhaven community.”
– Rotary SESCA Committee Chair
SESCA focuses on recognising individuals and teams who live out Rotary’s motto of Service Above Self in their emergency services role.
When assessing nominations, the judging panel considers:
When assessing nominations, the judging panel considers:
- Community impact – How has the nominee made a measurable difference to the safety, wellbeing or resilience of the Shoalhaven community?
- Dedication and reliability – Has the nominee consistently gone above what is expected in their role, over time?
- Professionalism and integrity – Does the nominee demonstrate high standards of conduct, ethics and respect?
- Compassion and care – How does the nominee support people in crisis with empathy and kindness?
- Teamwork and leadership – Has the nominee shown initiative, supported colleagues or mentored others?
- Volunteer spirit – For volunteers, how have they balanced personal commitments with significant service to others?
| Stage | What happens | Where to find details |
|---|---|---|
| Nominations open 30th September 26 | SESCA is officially announced and online nominations open end of September. Community members, colleagues and supervisors are invited to submit nominations. | See the How to Nominate page. |
Official Launch 2027 campaign 1 December 2026 | SESCA is officially launched in the Emergency Operations Centre Media Room. Guests include the Patron, Ambassadors, representatives from the Emergency Service Agencies, Rotary Club representatives and the media | |
| Nominations close 31 March 2027 | Nominations must be submitted by the published closing date of 31st March. Late entries cannot be accepted. | Key dates are listed on Event Details. |
| Judging period 7-28 April 27 | The judging panel reviews all eligible nominations against the published criteria and selects finalists and recipients. | Judging principles are outlined on Categories & Eligibility. |
| Finalists announced 1st May 2027 | Finalists are notified, and their services are informed so they can support attendance at the awards ceremony. | Updates are shared via Rotary channels and event communications. |
| Awards ceremony 9 June 2027 Nowra Golf Club | Held in June - Finalists, families, colleagues and community supporters come together to celebrate and announce SESCA recipients. | See Event Details for venue, schedule and registration information. |
SESCA is a genuine community initiative, led by Rotary and supported by a wide network of partners.
Rotary clubs in the Shoalhaven coordinate the awards, contribute volunteer time, and host the annual ceremony. Rotarians also help to promote nominations, engage with emergency services, and steward the judging process.
Emergency services organisations support SESCA by encouraging nominations, assisting with communication and celebrating finalists and recipients within their own teams.
Sponsors and partners provide vital financial and in-kind support to cover event costs, trophies, publicity and the ongoing sustainability of the awards. Their backing ensures SESCA remains accessible and community-focused, not a commercial event.
Rotary clubs in the Shoalhaven coordinate the awards, contribute volunteer time, and host the annual ceremony. Rotarians also help to promote nominations, engage with emergency services, and steward the judging process.
Emergency services organisations support SESCA by encouraging nominations, assisting with communication and celebrating finalists and recipients within their own teams.
Sponsors and partners provide vital financial and in-kind support to cover event costs, trophies, publicity and the ongoing sustainability of the awards. Their backing ensures SESCA remains accessible and community-focused, not a commercial event.
A project for first responders that supports their mental health, welfare and wellbeing in the Shoalhaven has been established as a result of the generous support that our partners have provided over the years. Funds are used to support workshops and other mental health related activities.
Community members play a crucial role by nominating deserving people, attending the ceremony, and sharing stories of extraordinary service.
“Our sponsors, partners and local residents make SESCA possible. Together, we are telling the stories of the people who quietly keep our community safe.”
– Rotary SESCA Committee Member
To learn more about our current supporters and opportunities to partner with SESCA, visit the Sponsors & Partners page.
There are many ways to support the Shoalhaven Emergency Services Community Awards:
- Nominate an emergency services hero – If you know someone who deserves recognition, submit a nomination.
- Share the opportunity – Promote SESCA within your workplace, community group or service club.
- Attend the awards ceremony – Join finalists, families and colleagues to celebrate outstanding service.
- Become a sponsor or partner – Support SESCA financially or in-kind to help grow its reach and impact.
- Volunteer with Rotary – Assist with event planning, promotion or logistics through your local Rotary club.