VICSES statement: Port Campbell

A statement from Chief Officer, Tim Wiebusch, following the tragic loss of two VICSES volunteers in Port Campbell.

Victoria State Emergency (VICSES) is deeply saddened by the tragic passing of two VICSES volunteers this morning, responding to a rescue in their capacity as Life Saving Victoria volunteers.

VICSES volunteers, management and staff express their deepest sympathies to their family, friends and fellow VICSES members at the Port Campbell Unit.

These two members were dedicated and respected volunteers and their loss will be felt, not only across our organisation, but throughout the community.

VICSES thoughts are also with the third Life Saving Victoria volunteer and his family, after he was airlifted to hospital with serious injuries.

He has also served his community for many years as a VICSES and CFA volunteer.


VICSES has offered support to both the familes involved and volunteers at the unit, as well as our partners at Life Saving Victoria.

We ask that the privacy of the families and members of the unit be respected during this difficult time.
 

Tim Wiebusch 

Victoria State Emergency Service Chief Officer 

The Phoenix has gone digital!

As Phoenix moves into a contemporary online format, it is worth noting the significant volunteer contribution that has been made to the State of Victoria and its local communities for many decades.

This inaugural online edition of Phoenix looks back at a selection of previously published articles and celebrates the enormous range of SES volunteers’ skills and abilities that continue to build civic cohesion, keep communities safe, work effectively with other agencies, and add value to the lived experience of individuals, in groups and neighbourhoods.

To view the latest copy of the Phoenix please login or register.

VICSES sees decade-long surge in women joining the volunteer…

Providing emergency assistance and supporting other vital services has led to the number of women volunteering at Victoria State Emergency Service (VicSES) leap from about 700 a decade ago to about 1,687 women in 2019.

The VicSES manager of regional operations and readiness, Craig Hooper, said there were a number of reasons for the increase in women volunteers.

“It’s attributed to the programs that we offer and the management of these units,” he said, “and recognising the skill sets that females bring to our organisation to lead our volunteer units.”

Across the decade, the number of women in leadership roles has nearly doubled to 107 — now making up about a quarter of all leaders in the organisation.

“The skill sets you gain with the State Emergency Service, they’re not just to be used through this organisation,” he said.

“They’re skills for life.”

Read the full article at abc.net.au

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-02-26/victoria-ses-leading-the-way-on-gender-equality/10846522?fbclid=IwAR0ZcSc-HWa5pX35l8wm-UVLp9sC03KM3HdtgEKHi7J23syqWqxel_ZbvQI

Broadmeadows SES members attend 10th anniversary memorial service

Members of Broadmeadows SES attended the memorial service for the 10th anniversary of the 2009 Victorian Bushfires at the Royal Exhibition Building.

In 2009, the Broadmeadows SES Unit was called on to provide assistance with ground support, staging and equipment.

We remember those who lost their lives and livelihoods and thank all the emergency services personnel who gave countless hours to fighting the worst bushfire in Australia’s history.

Article and images courtesy of Broadmeddows Unit Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/broadmeadowsses

Mildura SES service awards

Last night Mildura SES celebrated an amazing service achievement of our members.
We congratulate Graeme and Gillian who have both achieved 30 Years of active and dedicated service this month and applaud Michael (Unit Controller) and Salty Moore who both achieved 35 years of dedicated service. Without the commitment shown by these Volunteers and most importantly their respective families and workplaces, the Unit would not be what it is today.

(L-R Graeme Matotek, Gillian Clapp and Michael Hellwege (Salty Moore – Absent)

Article and images courtesy of Mildura Unit Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/mildurases