Presentation of Southern District Medals and Awards
Officers involved in complex search and rescue operations are among those recognised today for their courage and skill as part of the Tasmania Police medals and awards for the Southern District.
Commissioner Donna Adams attended the Tasmania Police Academy today to present commendations to members of Tasmania Police Marine and Rescue for their efforts at:
• The Franklin River, in November 2024, where search and rescue officers were part of a multi-agency team which raced against the clock to save the life of a Lithuanian adventurer whose leg had become wedged between rocks and required amputation. The team then extracted multiple people from the wilderness area, including other members of the group of kayakers.
• Fortescue Bay in November 2024, where officers on board police vessel Dauntless battled large swells, strong wind and driving rain during a challenging night mission to safely recover two men from a stricken boat.
• Fossil Bluff, Wynyard, in February 2025, where police rescue swimmer Constable Phillip Vanderwal entered rough surf from a helicopter winch and conducted multiple swims between a stricken yacht and the rocky shoreline to guide a man and woman to safety.
Commissioner Adams also awarded a Commendation to a Lauderdale man and his father who, on July 20 this year, were responsible for the rescue of two 14-year-old boys whose boat capsized in Frederick Henry Bay.
Police consider the quick-thinking actions of Matthew Bell, 35, and James Bell, 64, was crucial to saving the boys, who were found in the water holding on to each other, exhausted from paddling and showing the early effects of hypothermia.
In other main awards, Detective Senior Constable Mark Wilby received a Commissioner’s Certificate of Commendation in recognition of his commitment to the investigation of sex crimes and historical child sexual assaults in Tasmania.
Constable Mary Bacic and Constable Joshua Hardy received a Certificate of Commendation in recognition of their arrest of an attempted murder suspect, and the initial support and scene management at a serious incident in Dowsing Point in February this year.
Special presentations were also made to officers with outstanding length of service.
A Commissioner’s Medal 3rd Clasp was presented to Senior Constable Paul Hyland for his 40 years with Tasmania Police, serving in the north and south of the state in areas such as traffic, general duties, criminal investigation, drug investigation and forensic services.
Senior Constable Hyland, whose first posting was to Hobart in 1985, is currently based at Nubeena Police Station.
“I have continued in the career because of the opportunities, friendships and challenges,” he said. “There are so many aspects of policing that one can get involved in without having to change career paths.”
Senior Constable Hyland said policing was a rewarding career.
“Crash investigation and police diving were always challenging areas to work in,” he said.
“In most instances the jobs you attended were mentally and physically challenging however, you work through it for the best outcomes for the victims and their families.”
And a Commissioner’s Medal 4th Clasp was presented to retired Inspector Glen Woolley in recognition of 50 years’ service.
Mr Woolley retired from Tasmania Police in 2015 however, he has continued to serve the organisation as an ancillary officer in the role of Tasmania Police Honorary Aide-de-Camp to the Governor of Tasmania.
