Things might be looking up for the Wycheproof SES unit, which had an encouraging number of new volunteers sign up to support the essential service. 

The unit has been campaigning for new recruits for quite some time, and under the threat of closure, SES members recently held an open night in one final forage for the numbers they need. 

Hosting a barbecue gathering at the shared CFA/SES building at Wycheproof offered visitors a chance to tour the facility, listen to an introduction to the SES session and of course, enjoy good food and company. And it did well to encourage a number of generous people to offer their time and service, although the unit is not quite out of the woods yet…

Should the Wycheproof unit ultimately face closure, the nearest SES responders would be turning out from Birchip, Woomelang, Wedderburn or Kerang; with greater pressure placed on those volunteers in other small towns to service a larger area, further away from their homes.

Numbers

The Wycheproof SES currently has only four active members, and only two of those actually live in Wycheproof. One comes across from Culgoa, and the other from Boort, not only putting strain on these volunteers, but also adding to the SES response times by calling them from such a distance. It is simply due to lack of numbers to turn out that Wycheproof has been bypassed for the last couple of years as a Road Crash Unit, even though it is certified as one.

In fact, the Wycheproof unit is well-prepared for a range of different emergencies and stocked with modern equipment and vehicles necessary to tackle so many different challenges. The irony is that usually volunteers are calling for more resources, not the other way around… In Wycheproof’s case, all the equipment, training and resources are just sitting there waiting for a willing team to come and use them. https://www.ses.vic.gov.au/join-us/volunteer

Call Continues

While the new recruits who have recently signed up are welcome and greatly appreciated, the call for more continues. If you missed the open night and you still want to make a difference in your community by signing up to volunteer for the SES, now is the time to do it. 

What a great opportunity it creates for people to advance their skills and knowledge, particularly for young people who want a resume that stands out from the rest. SES offers training from operating a chainsaw, to operating pneumatic cutters (jaws of life); or training for support roles such as radio communications, community engagement, and administration, to name just a few. 

All members of the team play an integral role in keeping the unit open and operational, and you never know what you can do until you try… you just might surprise yourself! 

After joining SES, you can take an active role in protecting your community. Scan the QR code [in the issue] to express your interest and a friendly member of the SES will be in touch to give you more information. There is no pressure to join.

For more information about volunteering with Victoria State Emergency Services, and to find your nearest SES Unit, scan the QR code [in the issue] or go to https://www.ses.vic.gov.au/join-us/volunteer.

For more information on joining the Wycheproof Unit, call or send a text to Community Resilience Coordinator, Jamie Macri on 0438 929 942.

This article appeared in The Buloke Times, 6 June 2023.