The Nambucca District Volunteer Rescue Association (VRA) needs rescuing.
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After more than 40 years of service to the Nambucca Valley, "membership numbers in the local rescue squad have reached a critically low level and without some new recruits the Squad will have to fold", according to Nambucca VRA President Stuart Holmes.
Stuart said over the years the Nambucca VRA members have proudly assisted many locals as well as those traveling through the Valley in their time of greatest need. The Rescue Squad have attended thousands of motor vehicle accidents and dozens of search and rescues, structure collapses and animal rescues.
The Nambucca District VRA have also been there behind the scenes of many community events, regularly facilitating road closures and traffic control for the Hot Rods, VW Spectacular, Australia Day Fun Run, GT Falcons, Anzac Day marches and Back to Bowra celebrations to name a few.
Stuart said many of these events would not have been able to run without their involvement.
The Squad received assistance two years ago, via a grant, to help with recruitment through a series of locally produced community announcement ads on TV and radio which resulted in four new active members initially.
"But with two of those going off to university we are back in the situation of having insufficient numbers for the squad to remain viable," Stuart said.
At its last meeting the board decided to "bite the bullet" and "give it one last ditch effort" in the hope that there was sufficient support from the community for the Rescue Squad to continue serving the Nambucca.
"Many volunteer and community organisations have faced the same problems with dwindling memberships. The RFS, SES and even Rotary and Lions have difficulty with reduced membership even resulting in a local Probus group closing," Stuart said.
He said NSW VRA officers will be in attendance at what may very well be the very last and final recruitment drive for Nambucca Rescue on Tuesday January 28, from 6pm, at the Nambucca VRA Shed, Railway Rd, Nambucca Heads.
Anyone interested can also contact the Captain on 0427 688-075.
