20 years ago, I had a job (a good job), but I pretty much did the same stuff every day. I joined the State Emergency Service (SES) because I wanted something more, to be part of “something that did something” different. I had no idea at the time that the SES would become such a profound part of my life. This week I clocked up 20 years of volunteering in the SES, it sounds like a long time, but it doesn’t feel like it. I work with two volunteers in the Unit that have volunteered for more than 40 years each. When I think of all the things we've done with the other volunteers over the years, I wish I had joined way earlier.
The SES empowers people to help themselves and others in their community during times of emergency and disaster and has been defending our communities since the 70s. It’s grown into a unique emergency response organisation that’s the largest of its type in the world. It’s also the largest provider of road crash rescue in Australia and it’s the only emergency response agency volunteer or otherwise that is trained, equipped, and organised to do land, air, water, and forensic search.
Volunteers can train in vertical rescue, flood boat rescue, search and rescue, agency support, storm response, incident management, emergency traffic management, community education, and fundraising. These functions provide opportunities for almost anyone in our communities to volunteer. If you want, you can deploy all over Australia or just respond to your local community when needed. Over the years, your local SES unit has searched for dozens of missing people, rescued and evacuated hundreds from flooding, protected thousands of homes and held whole rivers at bay with sandbags.
Mackay Regional Council was one of the first in Queensland to have a dedicated SES Levy to look after the vehicles and buildings of our local unit. Mackay Regional Council is also the only council in Queensland to have a Strategic Directions group to ensure the local SES has what it needs in groups, functions, training and funding so our Local Unit is well supported.
The SES has been one of the most significant aspects of my life. I completely recommend it to anyone, it will change your life for the better, as it has for mine. Just search “Join SES” on your preferred search engine, then do it.
Cr Justin Englert
Mackay Regional Council
Publishers Indemnity. Any individual or entity that places advertising, supplies copy material, or submits editorial content to Core Life Publishing agrees and undertakes to ensure that all such material:- Does not infringe upon any copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property rights;- Is free from any content that could be considered defamatory, libelous, or slanderous;- Does not infringe upon any rights related to privacy or breach of confidence;- Contains no obscene, indecent, or otherwise unlawful material;- Complies fully with the Trade Practices Act and all other applicable laws, regulations, or statutes.Furthermore, by submitting or placing such material, these individuals or entities agree to indemnify and hold harmless the publisher, Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd, and/or its agents from and against any and all investigations, claims, demands, liabilities, damages, costs, or judgments arising out of or in connection with the material provided. All material is believed to be accurate at the time of printing and remains the copyright of Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd.
© 2024 Mackay and Whitsunday Life Pty Ltd.
