News

Wear Orange Wednesday 2019

On Wednesday 22nd May, all Australians are encouraged to wear orange in a united show of thanks for the tremendous work done and commitment shown by SES volunteers.
Wear Orange Wednesday (WOW Day) is a national day of thanks for the many Victoria State Emergency Services (VICSES) volunteers who support their local communities during flood, storm, landslide, road rescue, search and rescue, and more.
In Victoria, SES volunteers responded to more than 31,000 calls for assistance last year, equalling a total of 302,623 operational hours.

Show your support for SES volunteers by wearing something orange on Wednesday, 22 May.

Landmarks in Melbourne and across the country will be ‘flooded’ in orange this WOW Day in support of SES volunteers, including the MCG, AAMI Park, Bolte Bridge and the Melbourne Star.

• Events and morning teas will also be held throughout the state.
• Take a photo and tag it with #thankyouSES
• Change your profile picture to support WOW Day.
• Send a message of thanks to SES volunteers on social media include the #thankyouSES hashtag.

Marong Unit becomes 103rd VICSES Principal Road Crash Rescue…

It has been very busy for the members from Marong SES, with plenty of big news items to share.

It’s official! Our unit yesterday became the 103rd Principal Road Crash Rescue Provider from VICSES, the 133rd in Victoria.

Our Unit also witnessed a changing of the guard, with our outgoing Unit Controller Kevin standing down after 10 distinguished years at the head of the Unit. Members welcomed Daniel into the position, we look forward to working with you to take the unit to the next level. Our members would like to thank Kevin for his time at the helm, his guidance and mentorship.

Article and images courtesy of Marong Unit Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/MarongSES/

From the Chair

This is my final column as the outgoing Independent Chair ofVicSESVA, but I remain in VicSESVA as Secretary and will continue the work of representing and advocating for volunteers in Victoria and at the national level. I thank all the volunteers and colleagues who have supported me in this role; it has truly been a team effort. At the recent VicSESVA Annual General Meeting new officers were elected: I welcome the new Chair David Rowlands, Treasurer Ann Hinsch, Central West Director Ray Desem and East Director Mitch Darragh. Chris Brown and Chris Patton continue their excellent representation as Director North East, and VESA Shop Manager and task force delegate respectively. 

There have also been recent changes to leadership at Emergency Management Victoria, with Commissioner Craig Lapsley being replaced with incoming Commissioner Andrew Crisp. VicSESVA welcomes the opportunity to work with the new Commissioner and acknowledges the significant legacy left by Craig Lapsley. Craig Lapsley has been a positive force for change in Victorian Emergency Management and has always put volunteers in the centre of operations and planning. His close involvement with and respect for volunteers has been evident in their inclusion in numerous consultative processes. For VicSESVA, this has included representation and contribution to committees, working groups and advisory bodies and being able to make the voice of the SES volunteer heard in multiple forums. VicSESVA officers have been welcomed as influential members of groups which developed the Victorian Volunteer Statement, the Volunteer Consultative Forum, the 3Vs Project and advocacy for the sector-wide expansion of the VFBV Volunteer welfare and Efficiency Survey. These opportunities have been facilitated by Craig Lapsley. Further, many of the sector changes since Black Saturday have been led by the determined vision of Mr Lapsley with a steady and direct sense of privileging action over bureaucracy. A social media campaign acknowledging the work of Craig Lapsley (www.change.org/p/victorianpublic-your-support-for-craig-lapsley) refers to his significant contribution to the safety of the Victorian public, wishing to show gratitude, respect, support and appreciation for his work, a sentiment that has been echoed by many SES volunteers around Victoria in recent weeks. VicSESVA acknowledges the achievements of Victoria’s first Emergency Management Commissioner Lapsley and looks forward to an equally productive relationship with the incoming Commissioner Crisp. 

Faye Bendrups 

Independent Chair, VicSESVA 

Chelsea Controller Ron Fitch Citizen of the Year 2018

What an amazing year it has been for Chelsea SES Controller, Ron Fitch. In July 2017, Ron was made a life member of the Victoria State Emergency Service, recognising his 25 years of service, as well as his continuous support of units outside of his own, that has seen him actively involved in almost every deployment throughout Victoria over the last 15 years, as well as interstate deployments including South Australia and New South Wales. Over the years, Ron has been a part of several SES working groups, including vehicle and fleet, as well as a working group that investigated the information ESTA operators obtain when speaking with complainants regarding calls for assistance from SES. Ron’s commitment to his community through VICSES is unwavering and his determination to see the Chelsea unit volunteers deliver best practise support through training and mentoring, is as strong today as ever. In January 2018, Ron was named City of Kingston, Outstanding Citizen of the Year, honouring him for his fantastic service to the local community. At a wonderful, Australia Day breakfast, Ron was presented with his award by City of Kingston Mayor, Councillor Steve Staikos who spoke in glowing terms of Ron’s relationship with Council and how his role as Controller of the Chelsea Unit has seen a continuous growth in their ability to service the increasing needs of an ever-growing community. And now, Ron’s dedication has been 1 recognised once again, this time by the Premier of Victoria, as a recipient of a Victorian Premier’s Volunteer Champions Award for 2018 in the Service Category On the 9th of September, Ron escorted his 93-year-old Mum as well as his son and daughter to Government House for a reception hosted by the Governor of Victoria. Ron’s award was presented by The Parliamentary Secretary for Volunteers, Ms Gabrielle Williams MP and also in attendance was Victoria’s new Emergency Management Commissioner, Andrew Crisp. Ron was nominated by local State member of Parliament, Tim Richardson who said, “Ron is certainly one of the most deserving people I know to be recognised in this way, this is exactly what these awards are about, saying thank you in a very public way to the selfless Victorian volunteers who give so much”. Ron said, “I am very humbled to be receiving this award and it certainly came out of left field, it is certainly has been an amazing year”. Phil Wall said, “after this, the only thing that is missing will be Ron getting the Gold Logie next year or maybe the Brownlow”.