Helping the community for 20 years Ken Smith is hanging up his SES boots for greener pastures

The Port Macquarie unit recently had a farewell for the long time volunteer but he insists he didn’t get to 20 years by himself.

“Looking back there was not one job I went to alone so any praise or thanks I got over the years for my help was a result of a team effort,” Ken said.

“Everything I have done in the SES was part of a team and I am really proud of that.

“In the beginning I had some really great trainers and mentors, Ray and Tim Richards and Lloyd and David Chandler taught me everything I know about going out onto jobs and helping people who are in a tough situation. Without them I would not have made it.

“From going to storm jobs and to rescue animals to the harder jobs like fatalities and accidents where people are trapped or missing no job was ever the same.”

Ken said the after he retired he saw an advertisement from the local SES unit needed new volunteers and next thing he knew we was wearing the orange.

“It really was a simple process really,” he said.

“I was watching television one night and saw the SES needed some more help and I think it was the next day I went down there and signed up. That was a few days after my 70^th birthday.

“From there I went through all the training and soon after that I got a pager to respond to jobs at any time of the day or night.

“Over the years it was great fun being able to respond to people in their time of need to offer help and assistance.

“I have helped on a number of storm damaged house jobs and have pulled my fair share of cats out of tight places.

“The fatalities were always hard but as a unit you went to those jobs together and helped each other.”

He said one of his more memorable jobs was about a year after he started, when a crew from Port Macquarie were sent to Sydney to help after a severe hailstorm in 1999.

“That was probably one of the jobs that stands out the most for me because it was the first time I was sent away to help in another community,” he said.

“A group of us were sent to Sydney and we stayed about a week helping clean up after a terrible hailstorm. 

“It was about then that I really knew this was something I wanted to keep doing and I have been lucky that I have been able to continue it for so long.”

Ken said as he steps back he is confident the younger leaders in the unit will ensure the community stays safe.

“The current unit commander Michael Ward along with Michael Brumby and Kevin Sherwood are doing an excellent job making sure the unit is the best it can be.

“They had big shoes to fill and they have proven we are in very safe hand with them at the top.”

Unit commander for the Port Macquarie SES Michael Ward said Ken was a dedicated member of the team for a long time.

“Ken has been an active and valued member of Port Macquarie SES for the past 20 years and has proven that you are never too old to join,” Mr Ward said.

“He joined six days after his 70th Birthday and has finally hung up his boots for the last time as our oldest member having recently turned 90.

“Ken is well known and respected by all the members within Port Macquarie SES. Over the years he has been involved with training numerous newer members and countless operational activities with our core role of floods and storms.

“Ken’s contribution will be missed as he has been a member that has been there saving lives and protecting his community for the past 20 years. We wish Ken and Phyllis all the best into the future.”

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