Wear Orange Wednesday
People and landmarks will be decked out in orange today as Wimmera organisations honour Victoria’s emergency service volunteers.
Wear Orange Wednesday, part of a broader National Volunteer Week celebration, asks Victorians to join in and ‘wear a splash of orange’ to show thanks to Victoria’s State Emergency Services, VICSES.
VICSES Mid West has highlighted the service of its technical rescue team.
Team volunteer Kieran Loughran, who has been involved with more than 50 ‘high angle rescues’ in the region, emphasised VICSES’ community importance, especially with several high-profile hiking and rock-climbing features nearby.
“We respond to accidents that encompass the full range of climber skill level, from novice to expert climbers, 24 hours a day, every day of the year,” he said.
“Mt Arapiles is world renowned for having climbs that cater to a very broad range of skill levels.
“When climbers push themselves beyond their capability, they sometimes get into trouble.”
Students at Horsham Primary School Rasmussen Campus have joined in on today’s celebrations.
Year-six student Zahlee Maclean, whose father is a VICSES Horsham unit volunteer, organised a best-dressed fundraiser, with the Horsham unit donating prizes.
The Giant Koala at Dadswells Bridge and Graincorp silos at Kaniva will also be ‘splashed’ in orange today.