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VicSESVA President awarded Order of Australia Medal

Courtsey of the Age

A day in the life of Faye Bendrups could take the Melbourne resident from a lecture theatre in the morning to a tango production in the afternoon then a bushfire site in the evening.

As a leading tango performer, composer and researcher, Dr Bendrups has received an Order of Australia Medal for service to the performing arts, particularly through music. Her “portfolio career” – “that is, I’ll have a go at anything” – has also seen her rise to a leader in the Victorian State Emergency Service over more than 15 years of volunteering.

Read the full article by clicking the link below:

https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/tango-bravo-recognition-for-ses-leader-with-a-doctorate-in-dance-20220124-p59qqm.html

Faye is a leading tango composer, performer and researcher as well as a VICSES Volunteer
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VICSES Emergency Service Medal recipients announced

Congratulations to our four Emergency Service Medal (ESM) recipients from the Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES), whose distinguished service has been recognised in this year’s honours.

The VICSES award recipients for 2022 are; Keith O’Brien, North East Regional Headquarters; Ron Fitch, VICSES Chelsea Unit Controller; Anthony White, VICSES Sunbury Unit Controller; Raelene Billingsley, VICSES Morwell Unit Controller.

Awarded by the Governor-General, the Emergency Services Medal was instituted in 1999 to recognise distinguished service as a member of an Australian emergency service. It also recognises people who are involved in emergency management, training or education.

Read more at the VICSES Website:

https://www.ses.vic.gov.au/w/esm-recipients-2022?redirect=%2Fnews-and-media

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VicSESVA statement

VicSESVA statement
‘Firefighters take action on SES volunteers’ (The Age, 29 July 2021)

The Victoria SES Volunteers Association (VicSESVA) advocates for the interests of VICSES volunteers across the State.

Recent media reports refer to a survey conducted by the UFU and raise questions about the professionalism and experience of SES volunteers.

VicSESVA supports all emergency responders in working together to provide safe and effective responses to disasters and emergencies. We question whether allegations raised by the UFU reflect the general standard of service given daily by SES volunteers, at no cost, to their local communities.

VicSESVA welcomes discussions around emergency management arrangements in Victoria. The results of the VEOHRC report into culture within the fire services would also be a valuable part of this conversation. We can all contribute to improving what is already a professional and skilled emergency response cohort, and open discussions that are not suppressed can assist.

Victorians know and appreciate the work of emergency volunteers, whether responding to unprecedented storm events in recent months, or prolonged events like the Black Summer bushfires of 2019-2020.

SES volunteers come from their local community; they are invested in giving back, helping others for no reward and making a difference. Their contribution is substantial and commendable.

VicSESVA Board of Directors 29 July 2021

Download a copy of this statement

Enquiries: please contact [email protected],au or vicsesva.org,au