THE Bright SES Unit has welcomed a new support vehicle to their fleet, thanks to funding received from the Bright Hospital Op Shop (BHOS).

The unit's previous vehicle reached its service expiry date in 2023, which led to the application for a new truck.

"The SES turn over their vehicles every ten years," Bright SES Controller, Graham Gales said.

"We applied for a grant in 2023 and the Op Shop were going to support us by matching the value of the grant with the same contribution.

"We missed out in 2023, but we applied again last year and we went back to the Op Shop and asked if they were happy to support us the same amount once again.

"They returned by saying: 'well, we'd like to contribute the funds to buy the whole vehicle'."

From there, the Bright Unit contacted Fleet Division of the SES in May 2024 and informed them they had the funds necessary to buy a new vehicle and Bright SES were added to the list of recipients and the build was started.

"We didn't immediately jump to the front of the queue when we were added to the build list," Mr Gales said.

"We might've been the tenth Unit requesting a new vehicle, which is why it's taken us eight or so months to get it.

"But by collaborating with the BHOS instead of waiting for the whole grant, we've got a vehicle now, probably six months ahead of when we would've got it.

"One of the best parts is the interior of each compartment is individually lit, which is great for finding equipment at night."

BHOS president, Eileen Hunter said they get approximately 12 requests for funding in a year.

"Most of our requests for funding come from Alpine Health to go towards new equipment," Ms Hunter said.

"For over 12 months the BHOS committee and the SES have been working towards acquiring this new truck.

"The SES needed funds themselves, before they applied for funds for a new truck.

"When their grant application looked like it was going to stall, we offered to fund the whole amount.

"They had hoped to get a new truck organised in time for Christmas last year to cover the busy summer period, but it didn't happen.

"The SES are obviously an important part of the community: how could you survive in this area without this amazing organisation?

"Seeing the SES Unit receive their new truck at last shows the importance of our volunteers' efforts and it's good to see what our community donations can go towards."

Bright SES section leader, Nathaniel West said the new support vehicle is definitely an improvement on the old truck.

"The new truck has more room to hold our all of our equipment," he said.

"Right now we're still in the trial phase; we've spent about two hours discussing the best way to store the equipment in the truck.

"The drawers are the best thing because they can store these poles safely, instead of them being stacked on the top of the vehicle like they were before.

"Now there's a new ladder and a store box secured on top of the vehicle.

"With this new truck, we can take the right vehicle to the situation that needs it; instead of taking the road-crash truck to fallen tree incidents, for example."