BY CONNOR MARSELOS
A key partnership between Marine Rescue Port Stephens and the Rural Fire Service is set to come to an end.
The arrangement saw the volunteer-run Marine Rescue handle calls for the RFS across the Hunter region for more than 10 years.
However, due to the RFS moving to centralize all communication services going forward, the arrangement has become forfeit and upwards of $70,000 in funding went with it.
Marine Rescue Commander Ben Van Der Wijngaart says he is fortunate that Marine Rescue still has a dedicated band of volunteers, but more needs to be done.
"We've been going now for forty years, operating 24/7, seven days a week, all year round and we are determined to maintain that service," he said.
With an operating budget now down to $100,000, it will leave Marine Rescue dependent on other revenue sources to keep running.
At present, the State Government chips in $30,000 per annum, with the other $70,000 made up by the organisation, whether that be in fundraising or sales from their gift shop.
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| Credit: Marine Rescue Port Stephens Facebook |
