The move to bring together the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association and Volunteer Marine Rescue Association Queensland within Marine Rescue Queensland as a single entity moved forward last week with the appointment of Tony Wulff as chief officer of the new Marine Rescue Queensland.
As the inaugural Marine Rescue Queensland chief officer, Mr Wullf will play an instrumental role in establishing the new organisation.
Mr Wulff, an international Yacht Master, has more than two decades experience in transformational leadership across the public sector and marine industry will take on the role from Monday 19 February.
The progressive transition of existing volunteer units seeking to onboard to MRQ will initially commence on 1 July 2024 and is expected to continue over the medium term.
Police and Community Safety Minister Mark Ryan said: “Mr Wulff brings to this important position a wealth of experience and leadership, which will benefit the new Marine Rescue Queensland and the 3000 volunteers delivering marine rescue services to Queenslanders every day.”
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to lead the new Marine Rescue Queensland, which is an exciting and vital outcome of the State’s disaster and emergency services reforms.“ Mr Wulff said.
“Volunteers are the lifeblood of marine rescue services in Queensland, and I’m excited to meet as many of the volunteers as possible very soon.”
“Mr Wulff’s appointment should bring a much needed boost to the team’s momentum in bringing about the transition to a single Government funded Marine Rescue entity,” Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association deputy national commodore Allan Tennent said.
“We forward look to working with Tony to assist the incorporation of over 50 years of relevant marine rescue experience into MRQ,” Volunteer Marine Rescue Association Queensland president Dr Graham Kingston said.
The Queensland Government’s 2020 election commitments included $35.38 million to establish an integrated marine rescue service, called Marine Rescue Queensland.
