SES Shown Love On Its 50th Anniversary

Mackay Regional Council paid tribute to the Queensland State Emergency Service this week, in celebration of its 50^th  anniversary.

To commemorate the milestone, eight 50-year Anniversary Flags will travel right across the region to be signed by SES volunteers.

The Central Region stretches from the Whitsunday Islands to Agnes Water, consisting of 14 units, 66 groups and over 1200 active volunteers, supported by 26 staff spread across offices in Rockhampton, Mackay and Longreach.

Mayor Greg Williamson acknowledged the dedicated, highly trained volunteers who support our community in times of emergency and disaster.

“Every year, SES volunteers make a real and lasting impact on the lives of Queenslanders – providing help, hope and practical support when it’s needed most,” Mayor Williamson said.

“These tremendous individuals always step up when they are needed and often the conditions they work in are extreme,” he said.

“Whether that’s sandbagging and tarping roofs in torrential rain or searching for missing people amongst dense bushland or in flood boats in raging rivers and creeks – our SES volunteers are local heroes through and through.

“So, if you know an SES volunteer or see one out and about, please thank them for their service.

“Now is also the perfect time to get involved, so if you have ever thought about becoming an SES volunteer, head to ses.qld.gov.au and register your interest.”

SES Mackay Local Controller Alexander McPhee said the Central Region had two 50-year serving members.

“Our region is incredibly lucky to have such a depth of experience and expertise amongst our members,” Mr McPhee said.

“It’s great to be able to celebrate all our volunteers and this is a special opportunity to acknowledge the history of this organisation and the amazing, lifesaving work these volunteers have carried out over the last 50 years,” he said.

The Queensland SES was formally established on December 11^th 1975.

It was created in response to the devastating 1974 Queensland floods, evolving from the former Queensland Civil Defence Organisation that had operated since 1961.

1-  Mackay Regional Council has paid tribute to the Queensland State Emergency Service (SES) which is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

2 - SES Mackay Local Controller Alexander McPhee presented Mayor Greg Williamson and Deputy Mayor Karen May with a commemorative plaque of all the SES groups in the state and thanked council for its support.

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