Graeme Silver has been named Newcastle’s newest Freeman of the City today in recognition of almost six decades volunteering to help the Hunter through some of its darkest days.
After joining St. John’s Ambulance as a volunteer in 1969 at the age of 11, Mr Silver went on to dedicate 47 years of his life to the State Emergency Service (SES), supporting his community through monumental events including the 1989 Newcastle Earthquake, 2007 Pasha Bulka storm and 2015 East Coast Low.
Currently serving as SES Local Commander Hunter Coast Cluster, Mr Silver continues to serve his community in times of crisis as one of the most experienced and well-respected volunteer leaders in the organisation.
Lord Mayor Gavin Morris presented Mr Silver with the honour at a special event at Fort Scratchley today and said it was a privilege to recognise the newest Freeman’s commitment to his community.
Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley, Freeman of the City Graeme Silver and Lord Mayor Gavin Morris.
“Across Australia, we rely on volunteers to be there for us during some of our darkest moments and Graeme Silver has been answering that call for almost 60 years,” Mr Morris said.
“Thousands of hours of Graeme’s life have been dedicated to keeping his community safe. He’s been there to lend a hand and lead the way through some of the biggest disasters we’ve experienced in Newcastle, while also helping the Hunter through storm events, land searches, floods and training the next crop of volunteers to ensure that legacy is continued.
“On behalf of Newcastle, I’d like to thank our city’s newest Freeman for everything he has done and continues to do in service of us all.”
Those efforts to help the community stretch beyond volunteer work, with Mr Silver spending 32 years with NSW Ambulance, first as a paramedic before rising to the role of Chief Inspector Hunter.
Throughout that time, he regularly juggled professional and voluntary commitments, often working shifts with NSW Ambulance in the day before assisting his community as an SES volunteer in the evening.
Awarded the Newcastle Volunteer Service Award in 2020 to recognise his efforts, a humble Mr Silver said while he’s proud of the accolades, they don’t drive his passion.
“It is an honour and a privilege to be named Freeman of the City today, but my vision first and foremost has always been to help others and help my community,” Mr Silver said.
“Volunteering has given me the chance to develop and enhance the skills I have needed to help people over the years in their time in need, and I’m very thankful to have been able to do that.
“I have worked alongside so many people at the SES over the years, and one thing I tell everyone is that no matter what position you hold, when it comes down to it, we’re all volunteers and teamwork makes the dream work.”
Minister for Police and Counter-Terrorism and Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley paid tribute to Mr Silver’s years of service.
“Graeme Silver is exactly the kind of person who makes the Hunter such a strong and connected community,” Minister Catley said.
“For more than four decades, he’s been there when it mattered most, always putting others before himself.
“Through his work in the SES and in NSW Ambulance, Graeme has shown what true service looks like in action.
“This is a deeply deserved honour for a man who has given so much to the people and communities around him”.
The Freeman of the City award is Newcastle’s highest honour, conferred upon Novocastrians for outstanding achievement and service to the city or to humanity.
Graeme Silver is the city’s 23rd Freeman of the City, joining a list of 22 fellow Novocastrians including recently honoured charity giant Big John Young, community and sport luminary Adele Saunders and community leader Father Nicolaos Zervos.