He’s changed more echidna-spiked tyres than he can remember but it’s all in a day’s work for Michael Allan.
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The Nowra NRMA patrol staff member was recently awarded the NRMA’s 2018 Patrol of the Year for the South East Region.
Michael was presented the award as part of the NRMA’s annual program to celebrate the efforts of the more than 1000 patrols from across NSW and the ACT who keep members moving when they need it the most.
A former workshop mechanic, Michael joined the NRMA two years ago and said it was the right move.
“I get to work outdoors in this beautiful area and meet people from right across the region – it’s the best job ever,” Michael said.
While NRMA patrols in city regions deal with gridlock, Michael looks after members on some of the most pristine stretches of roads in the country.
I get to work outdoors in this beautiful area and meet people from right across the region – it’s the best job ever.
- Michael Allen
From Nowra to Berry, Shoalhaven Heads and down as far as Jervis Bay, no two days are the same.
“I often help members who are stuck just wearing their speedos after a day on the beach,” Michael said.
“A lot of tourists break down here but the jobs vary every day which I really enjoy. It could be flat tyres, batteries, alternators, even a truck driver was locked out of his truck the other day and I had to find a ladder from a nearby motel to help him. You have to be very resourceful in the job.”
One Member Michael recently helped described him as “amazing”.
“He did a brilliant job, he identified that a wire had come loose and soldiered it back into place to get us going. We were a long way from home and his hard work meant we didn’t have to get towed, stay overnight or ruin our holiday,” the member said.
Michael said being part of the Nowra patrol team is another perk of the job and thanked his boss Malcolm Cocoris for his support and nominating him for the award.
Michael’s manager Chris McCann said he often received a lot of unprompted compliments.
“Michael will always try to get the member going and is very proactive by providing a sense of care and understanding to our members during what can be very stressful times for them,” Mr McCann said.
While he’s got the award, there’s no chance Michael’s going anywhere anytime soon.
“I’m looking forward to doing this for many years to come,” he said.