Simone Conklin AFSM has been caring for the Eucla community through different emergency service organisations since 1994.

She is the captain of Eucla Volunteer Fire Emergency Service, located in one of the most remote areas of Western Australia covering 550km of the Eyre Highway.

As part of her role, Simone has responded to a range of emergencies including aircraft and road crashes, bushfires, hazardous material spills and structure fires. In 2022, after a truck caught on fire at Border Village putting a roadhouse at significant risk, she led a crew to extinguish the blaze, isolate the area and ensure that anyone present was kept a safe distance away from the flames at all times.

She also played a pivotal role in securing funds for Eucla’s airstrip upgrade, which was vital for the emergency services and community within the small town.

In 2023, she was largely responsible for a new and improved evacuation plan for Eucla after consultation with the relevant groups within the local community.

For her years of hard work and enduring impact, Simone Conklin was awarded the Australian Fire Service Medal in The King’s Birthday 2025 Honours list.

Simone also works part time as a Customer Service Officer at the Eucla Police Station and has been volunteering for 22 years.

She says her recognition was unexpected.

“The news of the award came as a massive surprise, but I have been very humbled to be recognised for my hard work,” she says.

“It’s a massive recognition of all the time and effort I have put in as a volunteer to assist the local community and people in need of assistance.

“I am motivated to assist people in their time of need ... I hope that the recognition helps to promote being a volunteer to help your local community, and have more people join up as volunteers.”