Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Emergency Services
The Honourable Neil Roberts

Saturday, November 07, 2009

SES WEEK 2009: Central Queensland SES Volunteers acknowledged

SES volunteers from Mackay and Rockhampton received top honours today at the SES Week Central Region Awards Ceremony.

Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts said a series of events would be held across the state to celebrate and acknowledge the contribution made by SES volunteers.

“SES Week is a valuable opportunity for the local community to thank SES volunteers across the state and learn about the vital role volunteers play within the community,” Mr Roberts said.

“Central Region is home to more than 1100 SES Volunteers from 79 groups, who committed close to 9100 operational hours to frontline activities during 2008-09.

“It takes a unique person to be a volunteer - a person who is selfless and willing to put their own needs on hold to assist others.

“Whether it was in response to a search for a missing person, a mass response to a natural disaster or the recent bushfires across the state, SES volunteers gave their time and labour to help those impacted.”

Emergency Management Queensland and SES Regional Director for Central Region, Robbie Medlin said that National SES Week was a momentous occasion to reflect on the oustanding contribution volunteers make to the community.

Mr Medlin said that among the award recipients was Local Controller Alex McPhee of Nebo SES Group.

“Alex was awarded Regional Member of the Year for his ongoing contribution and leadership in the areas of training and operation’s with Nebo SES, particularly within the field of road crash rescue,” Mr Medlin said.

“As local controller for the past three years, Alex has led a team of around 10 volunteers and is on call 24 hours a day to respond to a range of emergency incidents at a moments notice.”

Mr Medlin said that Calliope SES Group was named Central Region’s ‘Unit of the Year’ while Carmila SES was awarded ‘Regional Operational Response of the Year’.

“Calliope SES unit are known to be one of the most active groups in the Rockhampton area, boasting a membership of 36 that continues to grow. The group demonstrates great rapport with other emergency authorities and continue to excel in the overall management, administration, training and operational functions of the SES group,” Mr Medlin said.

“Carmilla SES unit was awarded for their effective and efficient operations during the two car head on crash that occurred south of St Lawrence in Feburary, SES remained on scene for more than 24 hours to assist other agencies in what was extreme conditions.”

Mr Medlin said a number of SES volunteers from Central Region were also presented with a national medals, long service clasps and meritious service medals for their service.

“SES volunteers across Central Region have been faced with some extreme weather events over the past twelve months and their commitment and dedication has been endless. Today’s event was a great opportunity to thank all volunteers, their families and their employers,” he said.

Winners of the regional awards have been nominated for the SES Week State awards which will be presented at a ceremony in Brisbane on Sunday 15 November.

Queensland SES Week is proudly supported by NRMA insurance as the major sponsor of the Queensland State Emergency Service.

Further information on SES week celebrations can be found at
www.emergency.qld.gov.au/ses

Media contact: Minister's Office - 3239 0199; DCS Media - 3247 8186

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