2024 Emergency Services Medals – Jim Kokkalos and David McKenzie
Two Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) volunteers were this morning honoured for their career of commitment to their local community, presented with Emergency Service Medals (ESMs) acknowledging their service.
34-year VICSES Port Phillip Unit veteran and former Unit Controller, Jim Kokkalos, was named VICSES’ most recent Emergency Services Medal (ESM) recipient.
Having spent 23 years as Unit Controller of the former St Kilda unit and overseeing its transition to the current Port Phillip moniker, Jim was honoured as part of The King’s Birthday 2024 Honours List (Meritorious Awards) announced today.
Initially hailing from Greece, Jim joined VICSES’ St Kilda Unit in 1990 as an operational member, and has since showcased his leadership capabilities at more than 35 boating rescues, dedicated more than 5000 hours to flood and storm responses, and served on a total of 16 deployments within Victoria and interstate.
Jim was joined by 40-year VICSES Port Campbell volunteer and former Unit Controller David McKenzie, who was awarded the ESM for his tireless commitment along the South West coast as part of Life Saving Victoria (LSV).
David’s volunteering commitments in the Port Campbell community have been constant over more than six decades, having joined LSV some 23 years before joining VICSES.
A Unit Controller of the Port Campbell Unit between 1992 and 2012, David played a key role in establishing the Technical Rescue Team at Port Campbell, providing a vital rescue capability along the South West’s notorious ship wreck coastline.
David has also been directly involved in numerous technical rescues along that same stretch of coastline.
Assuming the Unit Controller role of the then-St Kilda Unit in 1999, Jim proved an exceptional leader, providing operational support during the 2010 Knox hailstorm weather event, as well as serving as Staging Area Manager at both Whittlesea and Healesville during the 2009 Black Saturday fires.
Jim is also closely tied to VICSES’ presence at major events on the sporting calendar, having served as Field Commander at the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix at Albert Park between 1996 and 2015, and Taskforce Manager during the Melbourne Commonwealth Games of 2006.
Through his involvement with the Grand Prix, Jim used his local knowledge to ensure appropriately qualified crews were constantly deployed at key points throughout the venue, with volunteers supporting partner agencies in transporting casualties throughout the event.
With a professional background in occupational health and safety, Jim’s involvement in several VICSES working groups has also seen him leave his mark on the organisation.
Throughout his membership, Jim has played an important role in the introduction of blue and red lights on VICSES vehicles, the review of personal protection equipment (PPE) and subsequent adoption of Kevlar helmets, and was a key figure behind the Vehicle Design Group, which paved the way for the current Fleet Working Group.
Jim’s deep connection with VICSES has extended to his family, having met wife Sonia while both were volunteering with the former St Kilda unit.
Despite not being active VICSES volunteers, the pair’s two children have also been regular fixtures alongside their father’s unit, including dressing as VICSES’ ‘Paddy the Platypus’ mascot while raising funds for the Royal Childrens Hospital’s Good Friday Appeal.
Jim was also recognised as the face of VICSES during the State Government’s promotion of multi-cultural persons, sharing his story as part of the government’s “Victorian and Proud of it” media campaign in 2017.
Having overseen the unit’s growth from eight members to more than 30 over his 22-year tenure as Unit Controller, Jim plans to continue to serve as a mentor and operational volunteer under the unit’s new leadership, offering a helping hand wherever he can.
His ESM will be proudly displayed alongside a National Medal and 1st Clasp, a 30-year VICSES Long Service Medal, and his VICSES Life Membership, which he was awarded in 2022.
VICSES extends its warm congratulations to both Jim and David on their achievement.
Quotes attributable to VICSES Port Phillip Unit volunteer, Jim Kokkalos
“I’ve never done anything in VICSES for me, I’ve always tried to put VICSES and the Port Phillip Unit first.
“I’ve always been inspired to help people, and through VICSES I feel I have been able to play my part within my local community.
“Now is an important time for me to share the lessons I’ve learned with those volunteers who are also inspired to give back to their community where they can.
“To receive an Emergency Services Medal as a result of my involvement is an extremely humbling experience.”
