Carl Zabilowicz has taken out the top gong at the Shepparton Search and Rescue Awards.
Mr Zabilowicz was named the Jezewski Family — Member of the Year award winner.
The unit also celebrated 50 years of operations at the recent anniversary dinner.
Mr Zabilowicz has been a member of the squad for four years and is the current treasurer.
He joined the unit in 2018 after moving from Wangaratta where he had previously been part of the CFA.
An accountant by trade, he started as assistant treasurer in 2019, before moving on to the treasurer role in 2020.
Shepparton Search and Rescue president Nacole Standfield said the award, which was announced prior to the floods, was voted on by members and recognised the hard work and dedication to the squad of a member.
“He (Mr Zabilowicz) puts hard work into our finances, and attends pretty much every job, training and meeting,” Ms Standfield said.
Mr Zabilowicz said he had attended most callouts and enjoyed being part of what he described as “a big family”.
For Mr Zabilowicz, it is the people he volunteers with that is the best part of his role.
“Everyone looks after everyone else,” he said.
He also enjoys the satisfaction of looking after people in their time of need.
“Both my parents were in the CFA and I was brought up to give back to the community,” he said.
Mr Zabilowicz was pleased with the award, labelling it a “huge honour” to win it.
“It’s a massive privilege to be given it,” he said.
“There are a lot of people behind the scenes who don’t get recognised, so it’s nice to get that recognition.”
As well as handing out the member of the year award, Shepparton Search and Rescue also recognised Jason Kittlety with a 10-year long service award.
Ms Standfield was pleased Shepparton Search and Rescue was able to celebrate its 50th birthday, with about 150 people attending the dinner to celebrate.
The squad is one of only two independent rescue organisations in Victoria.
Among the tasks volunteer members do are road rescues, flood and storm work, lighting crime scenes, searching for missing people, and water rescues.
Among those to attend the birthday celebrations were Shepparton Search and Rescue members and their families, as well as police, Benalla and Tatura State Emergency Services representatives, Emergency Management Victoria Commissioner Andrew Crisp, and State Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell, State Member for Shepparton Suzanna Sheed, and candidates for the seat of Shepparton in the upcoming Victorian election Kim O’Keeffe and Cheryl Hammer.
Special guest and speaker on the night was Crystal Rexter, who was saved from drowning by members of the Shepparton Search and Rescue crew at Greens Lake near Corop in December 2020.