Celebrating the efforts of all volunteers
This week is National Volunteer Week. All over Australia from May 16 to May 22 volunteers are celebrated for their efforts and services to the nation.
This year's theme is 'Better Together", as volunteering brings people together, builds communities, and creates a better society for everyone.
Wear Orange Wednesday is also this week, on May 18 people in Victoria wear orange to say "thank you" to Victoria State Emergency Services (VICSES) volunteers.
According to VICSES, the last 12 months have been the busiest in the organisation's history, with more than 5,800 calls for help responded to, more than 2,800 downed trees, nearly 500 damaged buildings, and more than 160 road rescues.
VICSES Warragul Unit Controller Alan Male said his unit, like many others, has had a very busy year.
In the last financial year, Mr Male said the 52 volunteers in his unit have clocked almost 5,000 hours of response this year.
"Wherever we are needed we go," he said. "The dedication of people is incredible." Mr Male said there are many reasons why people volunteer, however all of their reasons seem to come back to wanting to help the community. He praised the families of those who volunteer. Without them, he said, the Unit would not be able to do what they do. The families support the volunteers through it all, as do the local businesses that support the organisation.
The Warragul Unit has responded to 444 callouts so this finanical year, including 32 road crash rescues and 44 flood-related call-outs.
Mr Male joined the SES in 2019, with 16 years of experience as a volunteer in emergency services operations. They have also played a part in assisting interstate during extreme weather events like the New South Wales floods.
He has assisted several communities during emergencies, including five days as crew leader during the recent floods in New South Wales, four days during an extreme weather event at Bairnsdale, three days leading a search operation at Trida, four days during a search operation at Settlement Creek, four days during a search operation at Mt Buller, three days during a search operation at Marysville, and two 6-day rotations during a fire at Tallangatta.
Mr Male is passionate volunteering for VICSES, and commends his team for their hard work and dedication.
The SES is encouraging people to wear a splash of orange tomorrow and use the #ThankYouSES and #WOWday.