50 years on, volunteers remain backbone of SES

THE Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) last week celebrated 50 years of service to the state. Initially established in 1975, forming from the volunteer-based Civil Defence Organisation at the time, VICSES has built a legacy of dedication, providing critical emergency assistance to thousands of Victorians each year. The Civil Defence Organisation which formed in 1950, evolved into VICSES on the 5 March, 1975 and remains as we know it today, playing a lead and critical role in managing floods, storms, rescues and supporting other emergency services. VICSES is built on the dedication of people such as VICSES Bright Unit Controller Graham Gales, who has seen his fair share of complicated rescue responses since joining the alpine unit in 1983. As a keen bushwalker who was drawn to VICSES due to volunteers’ involvement in search and rescue operations throughout the Alpine Valley, Graham has excelled for more than 40 years in safely escorting patients from some of the state’s most challenging and difficult-to-reach terrain in arduous conditions, extricating injured motorists from vehicle crashes and clearing fallen trees throughout the local community. Graham has also thrived in working alongside emergency service partners from throughout the North East and those deployed from metropolitan areas, cultivating a strong emergency relationship which ensures those who find themselves in trouble in the remote North East are able to receive urgent care through a multi-agency response. “It’s been so fantastic to see the growth of VICSES as an emergency service over the last several decades and I look forward to seeing the service continue to build into the future,” he said. “I’m very proud of the camaraderie our volunteers showcase every time they turn out in support of their community and the life-saving emergency service we’re able to provide as a result.” Behind the orange overalls, Graham takes great pride in leading a diverse group of 36 volunteers, each from different backgrounds and with different skillsets, who come together to provide a vital emergency service to their community, covering emergencies all the way to Mount Beauty. VICSES members like Graham are the backbone of the organisation, serving communities 24 hours a day, seven days a week, every day of the year, and with 154 units across the state, VICSES operates with more than 5000 volunteers. “Whilst much has changed since 1975, our core values remain the same: to provide emergency assistance to Victorian communities 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year," acting chief officer operations, Alistair Drayton said. Overall, volunteer numbers are slightly up in each of the past two years, however many units are currently actively recruiting. Myrtleford SES Unit Controller David Coates said they currently have 12 active members, but are always on the lookout for more volunteers to keep the service running. "The SES is as important as ever in helping the community and reliant on volunteers as it always has been," he said. For those interested in joining VICSES or learning more about becoming a volunteer, visit: www.ses.vic.gov.au/join-us.

50 years on, volunteers remain backbone of SES

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