SES trains on new equipment

The NSW State Emergency Service (NSW SES) honoured the many years of service to the community provided by local SES volunteers during a long service awards ceremony on November 26.

The awards ceremony in Port Macquarie involved recipients from Camden Haven, Forster Pacific Palms, Gladstone, Kempsey, Mid North Coast Region, Nabiac, Port Macquarie, Wauchope and Wingham NSW SES Units.

There were 64 awards presented including honours for 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 35 and 45 years of service to the NSW SES.

In total, the 48 award recipients have provided 1060 years of volunteering to their local communities.

The Port Macquarie-Hastings Unit members who received long service awards were, David Chandler 20 years; Sereena Amos 10, Michael Brumby 10, Roger Gough 5, Stuart Melville 5, William Steggal 15, Tori White 5 and Peter Young 15.

NSW SES Mid North Coast Acting Region Controller Tony Day said, the awards ceremony recognised the outstanding contribution and commitment of long serving local SES volunteers to the safety of their communities in times of need.

Minister for Emergency Services David Elliott and Member for Port Macquarie Leslie Williams on November 29 opened a new $215,000 Marine Rescue NSW training facility and boat shed in Harrington.

“Members of the Crowdy/Harrington unit now have the benefit of a dedicated facility for their training activities,” Mr Elliott said. 

“The training facility is equipped with integrated technology, a kitchen and amenities, as well as undercover protection for the unit’s response vessel, Crowdy 20, fuel utility and other equipment.”

Mr Elliott also honoured 48 volunteers from NSW State Emergency Service (NSW SES) Mid-North Coast Region who received National Medals and Long Service Awards. The recipients had more than 1060 years of experience between them.

“These awards are in recognition of the outstanding efforts shown by these 48 members who have dedicated many years to volunteering in the SES,” he said.

SES Port Macquarie Hasting Unit received a ClubGRANTS of $34,900 to build a large outdoor shelter for sand bagging, training and storage. SES Camden Haven Unit received a $5000 grant for rescue equipment and water rescue dummies.

Mrs Williams paid tribute to the volunteers in the Port Macquarie region for assisting the community during floods, storms and other emergencies.

“The local community can be assured that Marine Rescue NSW and SES are equipped to help them in a time of crisis,” she said. 

“Their committed effort responding to emergencies are greatly respected in the community.”

In Mr Elliott’s capacity as the Minister for Veterans Affairs, he also awarded a $1000 grant for the Crowdy Head War Memorial, which opened in 2002.

The funds will go toward replacing two flagpoles on either side of the memorial.

Over the last 12 months, NSW SES Mid North Coast Region Units have responded to over 1423 requests for assistance within their respective Local Government Areas, equating to 29,972 hours of volunteered service.

Members from NSW SES Mid North Coast Region Units have also been involved in providing assistance to NSW SES Units in the Western Regions, with over 50 deployments, during the prolonged flood operations experienced this year.

Anyone interested in volunteering for the NSW SES can order a Volunteer Information Pack by calling 1800 201 000 or visit the NSW SES website www.ses.nsw.gov.au/volunteering/ for more information.