Public memorial to honour lives lost and rescue efforts of crew members in Ballina Bar tragedy

A public memorial will honour the lives of Marine Rescue volunteers Bill Ewen and Frank Petsch, along with the courage of the injured crew members and first responders involved in the Ballina Bar tragedy.

Marine Rescue Ballina, with the support of Ballina RSL, will host a community memorial service at 11am on Sunday 5 July at RSL Memorial Park, beside the Sub-Branch Cenotaph.

It is an opportunity for the community to reflect, support one another and continue the healing process after Ewen and Petsch died while responding to a call for help and four other volunteers were injured on 4 May.

Marine Rescue Ballina unit commander Peter Hill said the memorial would help bring the community together after an event that had touched so many lives.

“This memorial is about recognising the extraordinary commitment of our volunteers and first responders and acknowledging the profound impact this tragedy has had on so many people,” he said.

“It will provide a space for the community to come together and heal.

“While we will honour and remember Bill Ewen and Frank Petsch, we will also acknowledge the courage and dedication shown by all those who responded that night, including the four volunteers who were injured while selflessly answering a call for help.”

He said the tragedy extended beyond the Marine Rescue unit.

“This has been a difficult period not just for our unit, but for the six families directly affected, our fellow volunteers, emergency service personnel and the wider Ballina community. We continue to grieve with them and support them,” he said.

“The loss of our rescue vessel was also deeply felt. It was a vessel the community helped fund and one that represented our shared commitment to keeping people safe on the water.

“Throughout this difficult time, we have been overwhelmed by the compassion, kindness and support shown by the Ballina community. That support has been a source of strength for our volunteers and families, and we are sincerely grateful.

“Marine Rescue Ballina remains committed to serving our community and saving lives on the water.”

The memorial service is open to all members of the public and will be live streamed with viewing details to be published on the Marine Rescue NSW Facebook page before the event.